“The leopard can’t change it’s spots, can it?”

Dear Friends

Employers have long considered reliability to be a desired character trait amongst employees. However, I recently discovered that thinking such as this might be discriminatory! The Daily Telegraph reported that a Jobcentre Plus in Norfolk refused to display a job advert which concluded with the line, “must be very reliable and hard-working”. The reason: fear that it would be seen as discriminating against unreliable workers! Duh! Political Correctness gone mad methinks.

It’s quite possible that this story the result of a over zealous bureaucrat who was having a bad hair day. We may never hear about it again. On the other hand, it raises an interesting and significant human issue that is always bubbling beneath the surface. Are there character traits that are bad? As individuals should we be seeking to improve our character? It is appropriate to encourage others to change?

When behaviour is challenged, people are often quick to make excuses. “I can’t help it, this is who I am.” “It’s in my genes.” “It’s how I was raised.” “A leopard can’t change its spots.” To some degree and to a certain extent, these responses may be valid.

However, the Bible contains a message that cuts right across this idea. Not only does the Bible make it clear that change is possible, it’s essential in our walk with God. Just take a look at Philippians 4:12-13 and Colossians 3:1-17. Change is needed and we have a Saviour who, by His Spirit, gives us that means to put to death the earthly nature and clothe ourselves with all the characteristics that reflect the nature of the one we follow.

The Bible has a lot to say about the possibilities and the pleasure of becoming more like Jesus. Take a look at the ‘fruit of the Spirit’, listed in Galatians 5:22,23, and we find attributes that reflect the Spirit of God: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In fact, most people who aren’t believers recognise these as positive and desirable attitudes and all the negative opposites, also listed in the earlier part of Galatians 5 as undesirable.

Unlike the thinking of the world, the difference with the Bible is that the right sort of behaviour traits aren’t a question of opinion – God spells them out for us. Where does that leave us? It leaves us with the challenge to ignore the thinking of the world that says people can’t change and embrace the life-changing power of the Spirit of God.

Your friend and Pastor

Mark Reid

Adapted from a Friday Night Theology item fromthe Evangelical Alliance