Treat the Root, Not Just the Fruit

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." —Ephesians 2:8 
  
When studying religious traditions, it’s easy to focus on rules and rituals as the pathway to being close with God. In Paul’s time, people believed that adhering to 613 commandments meant they were close to God. Similarly, today many think that praying a certain way, memorizing scriptures, or attending church regularly indicates a strong relationship with God.

Paul, however, reframed this understanding. In Romans 3:24, he emphasizes that we are justified by God’s grace as a free gift. In Ephesians 2:8-9, he reminds us that salvation is not from our own works but a gift from God. Following religious practices has value, but these actions alone do not change our hearts.
 
Jesus often critiqued the scribes and Pharisees for this reason. They meticulously followed religious protocols but neglected the transformation of their hearts. They appeared deeply religious yet harbored unhealed wounds and unhealthy behaviors. This discrepancy shows that changing habits without changing the heart is insufficient.

Walking in the Spirit means addressing the root causes of our pain, not just modifying our behavior. Imagine someone who tithes but treats others poorly, or someone who preaches yet cannot control their anger. These actions indicate behavior modification without heart transformation.
 
To truly walk with Christ, we must heal the deep-seated wounds and psychological injuries that drive our negative behaviors. Just stopping a behavior does not address the underlying need it was attempting to fulfill. True healing involves treating the root, not just the fruit of our actions.

Remember, behavior modification is not the goal. The goal is heart transformation through the healing power of Christ. When we address the root of our pain, we walk in the Spirit, living in a manner consistent with the divine essence within us.