40 Bible Verses about Change

Embracing change may seem like standing at the edge of a precipice, looking into an abyss of uncertainty. Yet, it's during these times that we discover our true strength and faith. “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer,” says David in Psalm 18:2, a statement coming from a man who was marked by profound change throughout his life. As we navigate our own journeys, we often look for inspiration and guidance to help us grapple with change, and what better guidebook than the Bible, a narrative of transformation, redemption, and divine love.

Consider the epic journey of the Israelites, a nation shaped in the crucible of change. Enslaved, then freed, they wandered and evolved, their story echoing in our ears as we face our own wilderness. In the heart of uncertainty, it was their faith in God's unchanging nature that guided them to the Promised Land. Their story is not just history; it's a testimony to God’s ability to change our circumstances.

In the Bible, we see how God uses change to shape and refine us, to bring us closer to Him, to help us recognize what truly matters. From the call of Abraham to the transformation of Saul to Paul on the road to Damascus, to the radical shift in the life of the tax collector Matthew when Jesus simply said, 'Follow me', we find that God uses change as a tool for our spiritual growth. Change can be challenging, and even painful, but it's also an essential part of our journey towards becoming who God created us to be.

In the following compilation, we have gathered a collection of Bible verses about change, organized under three main categories: Change in Self, Change in Perspective, and God's Unchanging Nature. May they guide and inspire you as you navigate the currents of change in your own life.

Change in Self - New Life in Christ

John 3:3

"Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'"

Romans 6:4

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

1 Corinthians 6:11

“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

1 Corinthians 15:51

“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Colossians 3:10

"And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."

Philippians 3:21

“Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Titus 3:5

"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”

Change in Perspective

Genesis 12:1

"The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'"

Deuteronomy 31:6

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Psalm 51:10

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

Matthew 4:17

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'"

Romans 12:2

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Philippians 3:13-14

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Hebrews 12:1-2

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

God's Unchanging Nature

Numbers 23:19

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”

Psalm 7:11-13

“God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.”

Psalm 18:2

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Psalm 55:19

"God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change—he will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God."

Isaiah 43:19

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 65:17

"See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind."

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Malachi 3:6

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

James 1:17

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Revelation 21:4-5

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"

Revelation 22:13

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Biblical Examples of Change

Genesis 12:1-2

"The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.'"

Genesis 32:28

"Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.'"

1 Samuel 16:12-13

"So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, 'Rise and anoint him; this is the one.' So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David."

Matthew 4:19-20

"‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed him."

Matthew 9:9

"As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. 'Follow me,' he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him."

Acts 9:3-6

"As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are perseciving,' he replied. 'Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'"

Acts 16:14

"One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message."

A Prayer for Change

Heavenly Father,

With a humble heart, I come before you today. I acknowledge that I am a sinner, and I am in need of your mercy and grace. Lord, your word says in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." With this promise in my heart, I confess to you all my wrongdoings, thoughts, and actions that are not pleasing to you.

Lord, I am deeply sorry for the times I have strayed from your path, the times I have allowed pride, anger, selfishness, and worldly desires to take precedence over your commands. I repent, Father, for the times I have not loved my neighbor as myself or have not sought your kingdom first in my life.

Create in me, oh God, a clean heart, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Let your spirit of change descend upon me. Guide me and teach me to walk in your ways. I yearn to be transformed, to be more like Jesus in my thoughts, my words, and my actions.

Help me, Father, to put off my old self and to embrace the new creation you have made me in Christ. Lead me in this time of change, that I may grow in my relationship with you, in my understanding of your word, and in my love for others.

Thank you, Lord, for your grace, your forgiveness, and the gift of change, even when it's hard. I believe that you are doing a new thing in me, and I eagerly look forward to how you will use this change for your glory.

In the powerful and transformational name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.