This passage of Scripture is one of the many critical passages that bring clarity to the biblical pattern and model for change and growth as a Christian. As in this passage, biblical change requires that we labor at putting on Christ like characteristics (the second part of the passage) and that we put off non Christlike characteristics (the first part of the passage). The key to remember in this process is that this is not simply a behavior modification process as the world would have it. We must remember the Gospel in all of it and recognize that the only true and lasting (eternal) change within our counselees life and heart is going to come through the power of the Holy Spirit. Real change is only going to occur through the renewal of the mind as discussed in Titus 2:11-14. It is the grace that appeared that trains us to deny all ungodliness.
There is so much evidence in Scripture that the process of change is not finished at stopping a bad habit. As an example of this a thief is no longer a thief when he stops stealing and is able to work enough to provide for his own needs as well as have the excess necessary to give to those in need around him.
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