“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.” (v.23)
The people of Jeremiah’s time had hardened their hearts and refused to heed his call to repentance. They had walked so long in wickedness that they had become used to, doing evil and had made a habit of sinning. And for them, breaking such deeply entrenched habits was out of the question, at this point, for they could not admit the depths of their sin.
Here in our text God was pointing out that both Judah and Jerusalem could not change their sinful natures any more than leopards could change their spots. They needed to follow Jeremiah's call to repent and come back to the LORD. But, because of their refusal, God promised to, "Scatter them as stubble that passes away by the wind into the wilderness, because they have forgotten Him, and trusted in falsehood" (vv. 24-25).
The same is true for us, no matter how much we try to change ourselves, true change only comes from a changed heart. Jesus has that transforming power, He changes hearts and makes “all things new." But until one is willing to admit the depths of their sin, and becomes tired of wondering in the wilderness, the spots will remain.
However, if you are needing a true change from your hardened heart, surrender it to His Lordship and Mastery, by confessing and turning from your sin, and letting Him have complete control over your life today. (see prayer to the left on this page) You’ll never regret it!
The Truth: “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and cleans us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
The people of Jeremiah’s time had hardened their hearts and refused to heed his call to repentance. They had walked so long in wickedness that they had become used to, doing evil and had made a habit of sinning. And for them, breaking such deeply entrenched habits was out of the question, at this point, for they could not admit the depths of their sin.
Here in our text God was pointing out that both Judah and Jerusalem could not change their sinful natures any more than leopards could change their spots. They needed to follow Jeremiah's call to repent and come back to the LORD. But, because of their refusal, God promised to, "Scatter them as stubble that passes away by the wind into the wilderness, because they have forgotten Him, and trusted in falsehood" (vv. 24-25).
The same is true for us, no matter how much we try to change ourselves, true change only comes from a changed heart. Jesus has that transforming power, He changes hearts and makes “all things new." But until one is willing to admit the depths of their sin, and becomes tired of wondering in the wilderness, the spots will remain.
However, if you are needing a true change from your hardened heart, surrender it to His Lordship and Mastery, by confessing and turning from your sin, and letting Him have complete control over your life today. (see prayer to the left on this page) You’ll never regret it!
The Truth: “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and cleans us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
