You Can Change: God's Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions

In his book "You Can Change", Tim Chester helps Christians to understand that change in the Christian life is not fundamentally focused on behavior modification but on heart transformation, and this heart change comes as we apply the truths of the gospel to our hearts. The God revealed to us in the gospel dismantles the idols of our hearts that fuel our sinful behaviors and emotions.I found myself encouraged and helped as I read through this book. It helped me to apply the truths of the gospel more deeply to areas of struggle in my own life. It helped me to understand that the good news of Jesus Christ is not something that gets you into the kingdom, but then it's on you to change yourself; rather, change and growth in the Christian life comes by a constant and deeper application of the good news of Jesus Christ to our hearts. By uprooting the idols in our lives, God in His gospel, by the work of His Holy Spirit, replaces our false loves with a greater love for Christ, which fuels a new obedience to God. Just as justification is all of grace, so it is with our growth as well.It is a book I can and will heartily recommend to members of my church!

I have now read through You Can Change four or five times over the past many years and it helps each time I read it as it points me right back to the truths of God that I too easily forget as life gets full or complicated. The “Four G’s” as we refer to them now are life-changing in their help to root out the origination of our sin instead of just looking at the behaviors or symptoms. God is good: He alone satisfies; I don’t have to look to anyone or anything else for satisfaction. God is great: He alone is in control; I don’t have to be. God is gracious: Jesus proved Himself in my place on the cross; I don’t have to prove myself. God is glorious: He alone is to be feared; I get to care more about God’s opinion of me than others’ opinions. This has radically changed my understanding of my sin by pointing me back at who our God is and who I get to be now that Christ has redeemed me. Freedom from sin and freedom to obey God. Highly recommend this book and to read it in a community of like-minded believers who want the LORD to change their lives.

You Can Change - God's Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions, written by Tim Chester is, at its heart, a book about the sanctification of the believer. Specifically, dealing with our role in recognizing those areas of our lives that need change in order to keep us on a trajectory of becoming more Christlike.The book is systematic in its approach and is helpful in identifying both the issues and obstacles we have with effecting change in our lives as well as encouragement to focus on the means by which genuine change comes about. Chester also points to the church as the institution where we will find both the encouragement and accountability to bring about the sanctifying change we all need and should be seeking. Finally, he provides a dose of realism with the declaration that change is both a daily and a lifetime undertaking, but not one that takes an eternity as we will be glorified in due course.The book's 10 chapters each have a review and guide to assist in applying what has been taught by the author in the preceding pages. While I read it individually, I sense that this would be a very good book for small groups to read given their conduciveness to follow on discussion and accountability.While I have no serious regrets at having spent the time reading this book, I still have to admit that it did not exactly "wow" me. I really wish that I could put my finger on exactly what it was that failed to ignite my delight, but I cannot. And, when I page through the book, I found that I had underlined a fair amount of the content, suggesting that as I read, it was providing matters of interest. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, while I would not discourage anyone from reading You Can Change, I also would not go out of my way to suggest that this be added to everyone's reading list.As Simon Cowell was known to say on American Idol..."Sorry".

Excellent! Just excellent. This book is at once PRACTICAL and decidedly BIBLICAL. I am currently using it to disciple/counsel a young man in my church who is struggling with alcohol addiction. But I am finding myself regularly convicted and encouraged by the content of each chapter.How is it BIBLICAL? Not only does it argue from scriptural principles, it does so using lengthy quotations. Look hard, but you won't find any proof texting or goofy moralism here. No simple legalism. I have found that it builds each argument biblically but in a way that someone who is relatively young in the faith can understand.How is it PRACTICAL? First, the layout of the book is so helpful. Each chapter is based on a question (Why do you want to change? What truths do you need to remember? etc.) This frames each discussion in a practical, 'I get how this affects my life' kind of way. Secondly, the change projects and reflection sections at the end of each chapter are ... get this ... actually worth your time! The questions dig beneath surfacy platitudes and actually dissect the heart of the problem. The homework exercises are meaningful methods of reflection. Third, Chester uses a number of examples and illustrations which help to 'put flesh' on discussions that may feel abstract. For example, when he discusses idols of the heart, he lists a number of examples which likely came from personal pastoral experience.Are there any weaknesses? I don't think so, but I would say that there is a limit of scope. This book should not be expected to give detailed solutions to highly specific problems or pathologies. For example, a Christian suffering with PTSD after a deployment will find much to gain from this book. However, there are specific challenges with PTSD (like intrusive memories, flashbacks, bodily responses etc) which may benefit from more specific responses. Remember that Chester says that he is addressing our "Sinful Behaviors and Negative Emotions."Five stars. Highly recommended.

The book explains so well how God changes us into the likeness of Jesus as well as how we should live according to His will on a daily basis. It also presents the subject from both theological and practical view points. This is a highly recommended reading for every Christian.

Chester like his other books brings home biblical truths with his clear and smooth writing. I have read most of his books and this is one among his best.

Very practical book getting at the heart of what it means to change as I grow in Christ

This book is in the genre of Christian Spiritual Growth. If you are a Christian looking to grow, this book is one book you NEED to read. Chester deals with the root of our problems: sin in our hearts. He goes from theoretical detail to practice detail on how to let the Holy Spirit change your heart. God has used this in my own life to help change my heart to desire Him over myself and my own desires. Great book.

Very good book! Well written and easy to understand how God calls us to turn away from our sins and that we can't change without God