Become New Without Losing You

How God’s Transformation Complements Your Unique Personality.

In 1849, French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr wrote, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” As I have aged, I have found that to be true. My body is growing old, but I still have the mind of the young whipper-snapper I once was.

When I became a Christian, I was transformed spiritually (Romans 12:2), but I faced many of the same battles against the world, the flesh, and the devil. That is how it works for all humans. As I am fond of saying, “Christians have one foot in heaven and the other foot on a banana peel.”

How can we be “who we are,” yet at the same be a transformed follower of the Lord?

Who You Are As a Person

When we are converted, our underlying personalities don’t change. You don’t become someone else. You are who you are. We see this in Galatians 2:20, where Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ… nevertheless I live.” The “I” of our personhood always remains with us.

If this were not true, all Christians would be the same. But God created us for fellowship, and he enjoys the infinite variety of our personalities. God doesn’t expect us to be robots. If we were all the same, to know one Christian would be to know all Christians. That would be boring.

We Remain the Same as We Change

Do you realize that your body changes every seven years? That’s what scientists say, and it is easy to believe. At age 7, toddlers lose their baby fat and become children. At 14, they cease to be children and become young adults with all the corresponding body changes. Seven years later, at 21, we consider them fully adult.

With all this change, it seems the personality would change too. But the memories of the 7-year-old are with the 21-year-old. The attitudes of the 14-year-old are with the 21-year-old. The lessons the 7-year-old learned shaped both the 14-year-old and the 21-year-old.

Do you see the pattern here? We retain our personality traits even though they evolve over time as we build layers of understanding. I like this equation:

What does it mean? Our personalities are the sum total of our Heredity x our Environment + our Unique Personal Experiences.

Heredity

According to genetic studies, 30-60 percent of our personality is encoded in our DNA. We essentially become who we are at conception.

As a side note, let me say this is part of the reason all Christians should abhor abortion. The unborn child is unique, with DNA different from that of the mother and father. The baby is different from the mother; she only has a symbiotic relationship that lasts nine months. Killing the unborn is killing the already nascent personality of the child. I discuss the abortion dilemma here.

Environment

Our personalities are modified by our physical and social environment. For example, a study revealed that “children raised in adverse conditions, such as with neglect, abuse, or poverty, are typically found to be more impulsive…while those raised in healthy, nurturing, safe environments are more likely to have calmer temperaments.”

Thus, the environment of the person modifies inherited personality characteristics. That’s one important reason why Christians believe stable families are essential. They contribute to personality development.

Unique Personal Experiences

Our experiences shape our personality. In another study, there was abundant evidence that major life events, like getting engaged, married, or divorced, having a child, and retiring, modify personality.

The research also demonstrated that everyday experiences contributed to small but lasting personality changes that had a cumulative effect. The smaller personal experiences led to more significant personality changes over the more life-shaking major events.

Yet, change is one thing, and transformation is another. All humans change incrementally through the P = H x E + UPE formula. Only Christians have the wildcard of transformation by God’s Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). There are differences between change and transformation.

In Christ, we have the power to change the equation. Our Holy Spirit-empowered transformation is a game-changer. Transformation is an overlay of personality. We see that in 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:2, and 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The new equation adds GES (God’s Empowering Spirit). That makes God’s transformation of our personality possible.

Who You Are in Christ

I love the Apostle Peter. Peter had a compulsive personality. He was outspoken, even comic at times. Yet, he allowed his personality to be shaped by Jesus, and they became very loyal to each other. Even though Peter’s personality traits influenced him to deny Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75), Jesus previously made him the cornerstone of post-resurrection leadership (Matthew 16:18-26).

Peter had a unique personality just as you and I do. We have good traits and bad. Much of our personality comes to it through heredity, but the rest is shaped by environment and unique personal experiences. The big question is whether or not we will allow God’s Empowering Spirit (GES) to overlay our personality and transform us.

Jesus always met Peter wherever he was in life. Jesus will do the same thing for you. Isn’t that a miraculous thing?

How to Be a Holy You

Becoming “a Holy You” is about embracing your unique personality while allowing God’s Spirit to work through you, transforming you into the best version of yourself. It does not mean being “holier-than-thou,” which is a bad attitude to have.

Being holy is not about losing your individuality but enhancing it with divine power and purpose. Here are three key steps to do that.

Embrace Your God-Given Identity

The Bible teaches that God created us uniquely, with distinct talents, quirks, and passions (Psalm 139:14). Your personality is not an accident; it’s part of God’s design.

To be a “Holy You,” the first step is to recognize and embrace who God made you to be. This means understanding your strengths, acknowledging your weaknesses, and accepting your personal preferences and desires.

Have you ever sat down and done an inventory of the kind of personality you have, and what you want it to be as a Christian? The earlier you do this in life, the better. The Lord does not want to change your personality, but he does want to modify it for your his glory and your happiness.

However, instead of using these traits for selfish gain, invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate how your individuality can be used for God’s glory. When you align your gifts and personality with God’s purpose, you become a vessel for His work while remaining authentically yourself.

Surrender Your Will to the Holy Spirit

While your unique personality is God-given, it is also influenced by the world, sin, and personal experiences. The process of becoming a “Holy You” requires a willingness to surrender your will to the Holy Spirit, who refines and sanctifies your natural inclinations (Galatians 5:22-23).

This doesn’t mean abandoning your identity; instead, it’s about allowing God to mold your desires, habits, and decisions to align with his will. Through prayer, studying Scripture, and seeking God’s guidance, you can discern areas where your natural tendencies need transformation.

For example, if you are naturally bold, the Holy Spirit can channel that boldness into courage for sharing the Gospel. If you are more introverted, God might use your deep listening skills to comfort those in need.

Live Out Your Unique Calling with Purpose and Joy

God has a specific purpose for us and intends to use our unique personalities to fulfill it (Ephesians 2:10). Being a “Holy You” means living out your calling with joy and confidence, knowing God is empowering you through his Spirit.

This is not about striving to be someone you’re not or comparing yourself to others; it’s about fully stepping into the role God designed for you. The Holy Spirit “supercharges” your personality, amplifying your natural talents and giving you the strength to overcome your weaknesses.

With God’s power as an “overlay” of your personality, you find that your unique personality doesn’t fade away but shines even brighter as it reflects God’s love, grace, and truth in a way that only you can.

Becoming a “Holy You” is a dynamic partnership with the Holy Spirit. It’s about discovering the fullness of who God made you to be, surrendering your life to His transforming power, and joyfully living out your divine purpose. By doing so, you become a unique expression of God’s glory in the world—a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that he has crafted for a special mission.

Move Beyond Self

You are not Popeye the Sailor. He said, “I yam what I yam, and that’s all that I yam.” You are what you are, but because you have Jesus Christ in your life, that’s not all you are. You are H x E x UPE + GES (God’s Empowering Spirit).

You have been transformed, but according to 2 Corinthians 3:18, it is not a one-time event. It is a progressive act. Like all other Christians, you are being transformed into the image of Christ from one degree to another. God is transforming your behavior, but he is doing it through your unique personality.

Your commitment must be to “be who you are.” However, you must realize that the Holy Spirit is an overlay that brings out God’s best in you. The Holy Spirit does not smother your personality but turbocharges it to bring about God’s purpose for your life.