Really questioning how much God works in us

Greetings @Neodude ,
God and the Holy Spirit Always is working.
What changes are you referring to?
There are many things we have to put forth the effort and He will give us the victory in it.

Habits are Not Gods Jod to change instantly without our diligence to change them. It's our old nature at work in us. This is the problem and not God.
We must feed the Spirit and starve the old nature other wise our old nature keeps on doing what it wants.

Here is a quick outline on how to overcome this situation you find your self in.

Galatians 5:16 and Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Romans 12:2 ....
And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God

(Get His word in you each and every day and speak His word each and every day)

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4... For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to pulling down strong holds
5... Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

(Begin to practice the words you speak and thoughts you think for our thoughts and words to control how we act or react and believe. Our own words do more do influence our thinking then most of everything else)

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh

(The more you do the first two the more you will begin to walk in the Spirit and you will be amazed to say the least)

All done through the Grace of God who maketh all grace abound to me. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Blessings
FCJ

Neodude said:

I have been Christian for about 9 months now and I'm discouraged about my progress. I haven't changed that much over the past 9 months and whether it be prayer, reading and obeying the Bible, small group, I fall into the same habits over and over again. It seems like God isn't working actively in my life and it's mostly my self effort to change things. So does the Holy Spirit not really work?

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Serve.

You will find the Holy Spirit most readily in serving others.

Neodude said:

I have been Christian for about 9 months now and I'm discouraged about my progress. I haven't changed that much over the past 9 months and whether it be prayer, reading and obeying the Bible, small group, I fall into the same habits over and over again. It seems like God isn't working actively in my life and it's mostly my self effort to change things. So does the Holy Spirit not really work?

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Hi; good to see you.

Why would God tell you everything about His mysterious plans?

In Hebrews 11, faith is the operative principle. It's good to have a daily prayerful Bible reading habit.

Fish Catcher Jim said:

Habits are not God's job to change instantly without our diligence to change them. It's our old nature at work in us.

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Greetings, Neodude!

I agree with this statement made by Jim. Our old nature can be a real handful, and depending on the person can take a great deal of time and effort and prayer and walking with Christ to eventually bring under submission and control. What you need to be doing in the meantime is building confidence by focusing on what you ARE doing right, no matter how insignificant it might seem to you at first.

Are you reading your Bible? Tell that to the Accuser when he comes against you over your faults. Before you were a believer you certainly weren't doing that.
Are you praying? Tell him that as well.
As RDKirk said, are you serving?
Are you going to church?
Are you listening to sermons on radio or TV?
Are you having any successes in any other areas of your life?

Scripture says to think on what is of good report, not dwell on that which is negative, defeatist, or depressing (Philippians 4:8). And if you continue focusing on what God IS doing in your life, you will stay positive. And by staying positive you will KEEP gaining ground in your spiritual walk with Him, no matter how many set backs you might have.

Hope this helps. It always does for me.

Neodude said:

I have been Christian for about 9 months now and I'm discouraged about my progress. I haven't changed that much over the past 9 months and whether it be prayer, reading and obeying the Bible, small group, I fall into the same habits over and over again. It seems like God isn't working actively in my life and it's mostly my self effort to change things. So does the Holy Spirit not really work?

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Sometimes it is difficult to see the changes in our own lives; perhaps if you ask someone you trust at church they will be able to tell you a different story. But don't expect to change in to an angel overnight; that simply doesn't happen.

The question is, why are you a Christian? Is it so that you can feel happier, or so that you can serve the Lord, regardless of how you feel? Perhaps if you stop worrying about your own sins and try to make a difference to those around you, you might find more fulfilment.

Neodude said:

I have been Christian for about 9 months now and I'm discouraged about my progress. I haven't changed that much over the past 9 months and whether it be prayer, reading and obeying the Bible, small group, I fall into the same habits over and over again. It seems like God isn't working actively in my life and it's mostly my self effort to change things. So does the Holy Spirit not really work?

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It sounds like you're trying to get God to force your hand or to keep you from committing sin. That's not how this works. You're still responsible for you and your actions. He's not going to keep you from sin. That's not His job. If you want to stop sinning, then stop sinning. Take responsibility for yourself.

Remember when Paul had that thorn in the flesh and he kept asking God to remove it? And God told him that His grace was sufficient? He's already done all the work. You have to open yourself up more to it, take it seriously.

Neodude said:

I have been Christian for about 9 months now and I'm discouraged about my progress. I haven't changed that much over the past 9 months and whether it be prayer, reading and obeying the Bible, small group, I fall into the same habits over and over again. It seems like God isn't working actively in my life and it's mostly my self effort to change things. So does the Holy Spirit not really work?

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Not often, not in many.
But then again, what is written in the BIBLE ? >>>
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What is the meaning of the Greek word dunamis in the Bible?
What is the meaning of the Greek word dunamis in the Bible?
Answer: The Greek dunamis is used 120 times in the New Testament. Loosely, the word refers to “strength, power, or ability.” It is the root word of our English ...

Dunamis - New Testament Greek Lexicon - New American Standard
www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/dunamis.html
Learn about Dunamis original meaning using the New Testament Greek Lexicon - New American Standard.

Dunamis - New Testament Greek Lexicon - King James Version
www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/dunamis.html
Learn about Dunamis original meaning using the New Testament Greek Lexicon - King James Version.

Strong's Greek: 1411. δύναμις (dunamis) -- (miraculous) power, might ...
biblehub.com/greek/1411.htm
Strong's Concordance. dunamis: (miraculous) power, might, strength. Original Word: δύναμις, εως, ἡ. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: dunamis

Dunamis (Forerunner Commentary) - Bible Tools
www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/.../Dunamis.htm
In the New Testament, the Greek word translated "power" is dunamis, the source of the English words dynamic and dynamite, both of which are easily ...

Neodude said:

I have been Christian for about 9 months now and I'm discouraged about my progress. I haven't changed that much over the past 9 months and whether it be prayer, reading and obeying the Bible, small group, I fall into the same habits over and over again. It seems like God isn't working actively in my life and it's mostly my self effort to change things. So does the Holy Spirit not really work?

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One thing that should be understood is that many churches define salvation in many ways.... If you went to a church and it didn't work for you I recommend trying being baptized in JESUS name and seek the holy spirit.

It's up to you though but I have a friend he tried certian ways and they didn't work...but he didn't quit and you can't either. He kept searching and after 7 churches found one he's happy with and he's seen progress with. The question I have for you is how bad do you want it? If you want to be saved and see progress bad enough then keep searching but I recommend from personal experience a chruch that baptizes in JESUS name and believes in the power of the holy ghost/spirit.


Next what must be understood is you gotta put in work though...it sounds like you think you get the holy spirit and boom you got it. You get the holy spirit and it enables you to resist sin easier...but you still have to keep being sanctified (long life process) and choose yourself to resist and make progress.

Neodude said:

I have been Christian for about 9 months now and I'm discouraged about my progress. I haven't changed that much over the past 9 months and whether it be prayer, reading and obeying the Bible, small group, I fall into the same habits over and over again. It seems like God isn't working actively in my life and it's mostly my self effort to change things. So does the Holy Spirit not really work?

Click to expand...

Good question.

You still have free will and you can quench the Spirit within you. The Spirit is not laid back and trying to have you do nothing (just keep from sinning), but wants to be active within you, so you allow the Spirit to be active by doing some positive activity and filling your life with good activities.

Neodude said:

...I fall into the same habits over and over again. It seems like God isn't working actively in my life and it's mostly my self effort to change things. So does the Holy Spirit not really work?

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Jesus said that all actions come from the heart. If you constantly do something that you don’t think is good, it means your heart has not really changed. Heart can be changed when you understand the matter correctly. If you think you do something wrong constantly, I think you should first check, is it really wrong and why it is wrong. After that I think it can be easier to reject wrong things. And I believe in knowing and understanding God will help you, if you really want so.

For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies.
Matt. 15:19

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

And about Holy Spirit, it is like a teacher who will lead you to better understanding. But I think you should be patient, things are not necessary always solved instantly. And sometimes the teaching may actually be in the slowness. Everything can be taken as good lesson, if you think well and use that what you know well and for good.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
John 14:26