“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 (NKJV)
Looking back on life, we easily notice how our desires shift with time. As children, we long for toys and treats. In our teenage years, we crave freedom and a sense of belonging. Then adulthood brings its pursuits—success, comfort, stability. Our desires mature with age, yet they often remain centred around ourselves.
But there is a transformation that goes far deeper than natural maturity—the change that happens when we encounter Jesus. When God saves us, He doesn’t just redirect our lives; He awakens something entirely new within us. By His Spirit, He begins to shape what we want. The desires that once came naturally—pride, bitterness, lust—gradually lose their grip. In their place, new longings begin to grow. We find ourselves drawn toward what is pure and lasting. The things we once found irresistible no longer command such huge appeal.
This inner work is nothing short of a miracle. We see it clearly in the life of Apostle Paul. Once a fierce persecutor of the early Church, he dragged believers to prison and stood in support of their deaths (Acts 8:3; 9:1–2). His desires were shaped by zeal and tradition. But everything changed after his encounter with Jesus. The man who once tried to destroy the Church gave his life to build it. His passion was redirected toward truth, grace, and spreading of the gospel. His will was entirely transformed.
This transformation wasn’t unique to Paul—it is the fruit of salvation in every believer. When we come to Christ, we receive more than forgiveness; we receive a new heart that longs for what brings glory to God. Just as our physical desires shift with age, our spiritual desires deepen as we grow in intimacy with Jesus.
Salvation is a journey. It may begin in a moment, but the shaping of our will continues over a lifetime. As we walk with Christ, our affections are refined. What, once satisfied, begins to lose its hold. What once felt distant becomes dear. This steady change is evidence that God is working in us, and the One who began this good work will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).
So, beloved, this is the miracle of changed desires: that we, once ruled by the flesh, are now drawn by the Spirit—not only to do God’s will but to want it. And that, more than anything, is the fruit of a life being made new.
Bible Reading Plan: 2 Samuel 4-6; Mark 13:32-14:21