Most self-help programs demand willpower. They tell you to track habits and force yourself to change. The New Covenant offers a different path.

Paul describes how Christians change:

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

(metamorphoumetha) μεταμορφούμεθα — "we are transformed"

From this Greek word we get the English word metamorphosis.

The verse names who does the work. You do not transform yourself. The Spirit of the Lord performs the transformation. Your job is to behold the glory of Jesus.

Where do you behold Him? You see Him in the mirror of the Word. When you read about His grace and His finished work, you look at Him. As you look, the Holy Spirit changes your character.

You do not change by trying harder; you change by looking at Jesus longer.