40 Powerful Bible Verses About Transformation

I’m always blown away by the transforming power of Jesus. He came to give the gift of salvation, but doesn’t stop there. Salvation leads to so many rich blessings.  Transformation is one of those blessings. In this article, we will outline Bible verses about transformation. From salvation to glorification- God is in the transformation business! This collection of Bible verses are a demonstration of the transformative power of God- both a gift and a promise!

What is transformation in the Bible?

Transform is defined as, “make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of”. In the Bible transformation means “change or renewal from a life that no longer conforms to the ways of the world to one that pleases God”. When we come to Christ as our Savior our spiritually dead heart comes to life. We are saved, justified and transformed. Our old lives are gone and our new lives are here.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Salvation

Our Savior Jesus Christ came into the world to save the world, not condemn the world. He accomplished this through His death on the cross. The blood of Christ is payment for our sin.

John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

At the moment of salvation so much happens. First, we have a complete heart transformation. We go from spiritually dead to spiritually alive. This is a radical heart transformation, literally changing everything! We become a new creation with a new life. The Spirit of God dwells in believers, sealing us for eternity, guiding us and helping us. We become a part of the family of God-adopted as dearly loved children. Even our desires are changed. We become increasingly eternally focused. Our life goes from meaningless to purposeful. And the process of sanctification is kicked off!

Sanctification

Sanctification is part of God’s plan for our lives. The word sanctification is related to the word saint; both words have to do with holiness. To “sanctify” something is to set it apart for special use; to “sanctify” a person is to make him holy. This is a process where we are invited to participate. Being justified is all God’s work. One day we will be glorified when we pass from this world to eternity-also all God’s doing. The messy middle (everything in between) is where we work with God moment by moment being made into the likeness of Jesus. Being made spiritually alive is done by God in a single moment. But, our powerful God- continues to do His transformative work in us and through us. Faithfully transforming and conforming us into the image of Jesus. It’s a gift and a promise.

Philippians 1:6 – And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:12-13 -Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Transformation and God’s Character

Transformation in the life of believers speaks volumes about God! When I reflect on His transformative power in our lives- power is vital. God is powerful. He is so powerful that He can take a spiritually dead heart and make it alive. God is also love. Salvation is a demonstration of God’s love, but so is His desire to transform us until the day of Christ.

He cares for us and loves us so much that He wants to continue to change us from the inside out, day by day. Transformation is also a demonstration of His faithfulness. He is faithful to complete a good work in us (Philippians 1:6). Additionally, it points to His presence. In order to change us, He is always with us. God is impartial. This transformative work is for ALL of His children. He doesn’t pick and choose certain people to transform- it’s for all of His children. 

Bible Verses About Transformation & God’s Word

God’s Word has the power to transform us. The renewing of your mind refers to filling our mind and heart with God’s Truth. When we are intentional about studing and applying Truth, we are changed. Every time I spend time in the Bible my faith grows. Studying the Word convicts my heart, cleanses and sanctifies. Faith in increased by hearing the Word and we can discern the God’s will. Check out these Bible verses about transformation below.

Romans 12:2- Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Timothy 3:16-17- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Ephesians 5:26- …that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

Romans 10:17- So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Psalm 19:7 – The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Read More: Practical & Simple Steps on How to Renew Your Mind

Transformed by the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit of God dwells in believers at the moment of salvation. He guides, helps and transforms our hearts. What a gift that God would be faithful to continue a good work in His children through he power of His Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18- And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Ezekiel 36:26-27-  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Titus 3:5-6- 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, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.

John 3:3 – Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’

1 Corinthians 6:11 – And such were some of you. 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.

​Bible Verses About Transformation Through Hardship

Nobody remains the same after being refined through trials and tribulations. Praise God that He uses everything in His economy for our good and His glory. Check out these Bible verses about transformation through difficulties in our life.

James 1:2-4- Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Romans 5:3-4- Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

1 Peter 1:6-7- In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:11- For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

1 Peter 5:10- And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Isaiah 48:10- Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.

Read More: Scriptures for Storms of Life

Transformed and the New Self

Ephesians 4:22-24 – to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:9-10 – Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1 Peter 1:23 – since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.

2 Corinthians 4:16 – So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Bible Verses About Transformation for Eternity

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 – Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

Philippians 3:20-21 – But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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.

1 John 3:2 – Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 – Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

More Bible Verses About Transformation

Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

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.

2 Timothy 2:21 – Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

Isaiah 43:19 – Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

2 Peter 1:4 – by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

2 Corinthians 3:16 – But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

2 Corinthians 4:6 – For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 John 2:6 – whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Evidence of Transformation

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Wrapping Up Bible Verses About Transformation

We are transformed by God at the moment of salvation. Because of His great love, He has made a way through Jesus for the saving of lives. Transformation is part of salvation. Our dead hearts become spiritually alive! And God’s love continues to be demonstrated through sanctification. His powerful Holy Spirit dwells in believers to continue making us more and more like Jesus. This means- He loves us so much, He saves us, making us spiritually alive. Then, He continues to invest in us and refine us. God truly loves His creation. Transformation is evidence of His great love! Are there any Bible verses about transformation you would add to the list? Leave it in the comments!