I Am Changed

With the recent revelation from Bruce Jenner, I felt compelled to set some things, well, straight (pun intended). The gay identity was one I never wanted…and it dawned on me one day that I should seek my Maker as to what His intentions were for my identity. My plan was to choose what He called right over what my feelings - and what the world - called right. I chose Truth over comfort and momentary pleasure and found freedom form my old way of thinking. In the process, I found a heterosexual identity! Thinking people in a world where a man could say he was born a man but was truly a woman on the inside - and be celebrated for it - one would think a man who did not want a gay identity and found a way to a heterosexual identity would be welcomed…tolerated, but I have not found the world too open about anything other than ‘what feels good is right.’ Choosing righteousness over license is, in this current culture, not to be tolerated. Enough about that. People often ask me if I am still tempted with same sex attraction. When I tell them that I still understand that temptation but it no longer has power over me their reaction is often, “Then how can you say you’re changed? Nothing’s different if you are still tempted.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Honestly, I had no choice in determining what would tempt me, but that in no way negates my ability to choose how I would respond to that temptation! In fact, even Jesus did not get to choose what He was tempted by - and He was tempted in EVERY manner just as we are, yet without sin! We are either always creatures of choice or never creatures of choice. Our humanity has a conscience which gives us the power to choose. If we could not choose, every man would be a rapist. Every person would be obese. Every person would walk in constant anger. Every person would be hopelessly self-focused and full of pride. We always have a choice as to how we respond to a given situation. It just so happens that having a relationship with Christ gives us the power to overcome those temptations and to choose wisely much more easily than in our human strength! If temptation defined us then we would succumb to the statement that ‘this is just who I am so I might as well give in and BE whatever my deepest feeling suggests I am.’ Temptation does not equal identity. I did not get to choose what I was tempted by. It was just there. But it was never intended to define me. Even without Jesus, I always had the choice as to how I would respond to any given temptation, be it sexual or otherwise. Always. It was only when I allowed the temptation to define me that I began to walk in failure and allow it to control me - control my life. I recall the look and sound and feel of temptation in that area - am reminded of it in the media and in the culture on a daily basis (does every TV show or movie have a same sex story line these days? Pretty much). It’s in my face. But that ‘recalling’ in no way defines who I am. Temptation is a joy. What do I mean? When temptation comes my way in ANY area that could lead me to sin, I simply ask the Holy Spirit ‘what is it, Lord?’ My reason is simple. The enemy - the Liar, Satan - desires my downfall. Temptation is intended to lead me to that destruction. I turn to God because the temptation has become my signal that God is up to something. Why else would the enemy be after me in a certain area if not to quell the work of God in my life? So much time has now passed since I identified as gay that is is actually difficult for me to believe I was ever that way. Of course, the Liar does not want me to forget so he continues to try and trip me up in key ways…not usually of a sexual nature, either. He attacks me in the areas of my continuing vulnerability. My sense of security or my sense of being needed or my sense of the need of affirmation - all of which are now daily met in knowing Jesus. I am now so secure that I do not fear vulnerability, nor do I fear for my security, nor do I fear that others might not think my life significant. Temptation has been relegated to use for the Kingdom purposes in my life. When it occurs, I do not allow it to determine my direction. In the moment of being tempted, temptation is now like a fly that occasionally tries to light on the meal of God’s presence in my life. I shoo the pest away with the Word and continue to enjoy the feast of God’s amazingly abundant presence in my life…whether I receive threats and hate from the LGBT community (and I do) or not. The temptation to fear harm is handled in the same way as sexual temptation. “What is it, Father? Your son, Dennis, waits on You…and while I wait, I will apply Your Word to my existence, bathing my being in being with you.” People can say I am not changed if I still understand temptation in my life, but for the doubters, here is a brief list off the top of my head of exactly what has changed since coming to faith in Jesus Christ: My belief system. I once believed I was born gay…until I was born again. I no longer believe I was ever born ‘that way’. My mind. I was transformed by the renewing of my mind. My sexual preference. I used to be sexually aroused only by men. The sexual needs of my life are now met only by my wife…and I crave her body, by the way… My outlook on life. I once was depressed and self-serving. I now look toward Jesus and lay my life down for the King and for the Kingdom. I. Am. Changed. Period. Dennis Jernigan Hear the song I AM CHANGED at https://soundcloud.com/singoverme/i-am-changed-from-the-film I Am Changed WORDS & MUSIC: Dennis Jernigan ©2014 Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc. www.dennisjernigan.com Verse Some call me a fool For daring to say I’ve changed But if that makes me a fool, I wouldn’t trade what I’ve found for anything I’m changed Some call me a dreamer For daring to walk away From my old way of thinking My old identity now passed away I’m changed Chorus Changed from who I thought I was Changed by pure redeeming love Changed from death to life And freed from every chain Changed from old identity Freed from lies and freed to be who my Father says I am He calls me changed I am changed! Verse Some call me a hater for daring to disagree Come to my own conclusion of who my Father says I am called to be I’m changed Some call me disillusioned Some call it a mental break But let there be no confusion I am fully aware Fully awake And I’m changed Chorus Changed from who I thought I was Changed by pure redeeming love Changed from death to life And freed from every chain Changed from old identity Freed from lies and freed to be who my Father says I am He calls me changed I am changed! To learn more about Dennis Jernigan and his story, you can purchase his autobiography, Sing Over Me,  or purvhase the DVD documentary, Sing Over Me.

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written by Gregg Drees , June 12, 2015

Note: this comment is split in two.
My cousin first introduced me to your music back in 2008. She had recorded several satellite TV programs where you were playing in churches & giving pieces of your testimony. Having been distant for a few years, although both of us Christians, my cousin was nervous about our first visit, trusting God, she turned on VCR and pressed play, without explanation. As a struggling homosexual, I was moved, to say the least. She saw the tears in my eyes, and knew she did the right thing!

I reserved this in the not-so-far back of my mind, & thought about it often. Occasionally, I would watch a video or 2 of you via Youtube.

I "thought" I was ready, but I wasn't. I continued with major struggles & confusion, sometimes closer, sometimes not. Even several years prior to this, I was becoming more and more successful at abandoning the lifestyle which I never really wanted. I more earnestly searched for churches where I felt I could fit in and get fed.Then another major change in my life, & again, "thinking" I was ready, I wasn't.

I would give it to God and take it back, continually. During the past couple of years, I have been mostly successful at avoiding tempting situations. For me, the internet has remained a major problem, and it seems I always have things to do on the computer, online or not. So it has been quite difficult for me to avoid straying.

A few months ago, I was again, tired of giving in to my temptations. I began sharing with my close friend (my ex-wife!) that no matter how close to God I tried, my "obsessions" were significantly growing stronger and that I should probably just give in and accept it and stop the struggle. Again, I tried giving it to God... to be continued
Gregg



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written by Gregg Drees , June 12, 2015

My cousin first introduced me to your music back in 2008. She had recorded several satellite TV programs where you were playing in churches & giving pieces of your testimony. Having been distant for a few years, although both of us Christians, my cousin was nervous about our first visit, trusting God, she turned on VCR and pressed play, without explanation. As a struggling homosexual, I was moved, to say the least. She saw the tears in my eyes, and knew she did the right thing!

I reserved this in the not-so-far back of my mind, & thought about it often. Occasionally, I would watch a video or 2 of you via Youtube.

I "thought" I was ready, but I wasn't. I continued with major struggles & confusion, sometimes closer, sometimes not. Even several years prior to this, I was becoming more and more successful at abandoning the lifestyle which I never really wanted. I more earnestly searched for churches where I felt I could fit in and get fed.Then another major change in my life, & again, "thinking" I was ready, I wasn't.

I would give it to God and take it back, continually. During the past couple of years, I have been mostly successful at avoiding tempting situations. For me, the internet has remained a major problem, and it seems I always have things to do on the computer, online or not. So it has been quite difficult for me to avoid straying.

A few months ago, I was again, tired of giving in to my temptations. I began sharing with my close friend (my ex-wife!) that no matter how close to God I tried, my "obsessions" were significantly growing stronger and that I should probably just give in and accept it and stop the struggle. Again, I tried giving it to God.

But this time is "different"!
Almost 2 weeks ago, an old friend, now living in another state had texted me asking if I ever heard of you and that you were going to be speaking at an event where her church was participating. We texted a few minutes and "it all came back to me", thinking about my cousin, who "recently" popped up in my life again.

All of this to say that this morning I received an email (rare) from my cousin with a link to Youtube with your song "You are my all in all". After years without your name coming up, all of a sudden, twice in 2 weeks!

HMMMM.... God-incidence? (not co-incidence) I stumbled onto the series where you gave your full testimony. I thought I heard it already, but nooo!
All of my life, I prayed that this would "go away", and it hasn't. But one of the things that you stated was that the "temptation" remains, minimal or not, it is still there. But that we have a choice of what we do with that temptation.

This time, I "heard" that last statement.
Is God speaking to me or not?!! Amen! I went into my "favorites" and deleted the huge file I had of websites I needed to stay away from and the difference is "this time I AM ready". I want to experience everything that God has for me and I cannot, if I am not a "Doer of the Word" instead of just a "hearer".

I praise God that you are allowing His Spirit to work through you in a "loving and peaceful" manner. Your words are very well spoken.

Sincerely,
Gregg



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written by Jennifer Johnson , June 03, 2015

Thank you for sharing Dennis. How wonderful it is to be able to share the transformation only found through Jesus. My son will be 21 this month and has the last few years identified as gay. There is nothing like watching your child slip farther and farther away into blind deception. I cling to The Lords promises daily. I see hope and his wonderous hand through many such as yourself. Keep sharing Dennis! God Bless!


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written by Brian Miles , June 02, 2015

Thank you for your honesty Mr. Jernigan. May God continue to lead and bless you and your family.



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