August 2026
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.
– Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)
Dear Friend,
I want to share a piece of my story with you today that I’m really not proud of.
There was a moment in my life when I just completely threw my hands up, “temporarily quit” the Christian life, and decided I was done following Jesus. The church of my childhood was riddled with hypocrisy, and that deeply warped how I viewed faith as an adult.
So, only a couple of years into my new walk with Jesus, I found myself trapped in a vicious sin pattern I just couldn't break. On the outside, I looked like a transformed Christian. But behind closed doors? The lust in my heart absolutely defeated me, day after day.
I tried, and tried, and tried… and failed miserably. Finally, totally broken, I thought, “If I can’t live this life, I might as well just quit.”
If God hadn’t stepped in and brought wise, authentic Christians into my life to teach me how to experience victory over sin, I wouldn't be walking with Jesus today.
Unfortunately, my story isn’t a rare exception. Almost every single day, I meet believers who are completely exhausted, feeling defeated, acting like slaves to old habits, and carrying deep discouragement. That is exactly why this month’s broadcast topic hits so close to home for me.
In our new series, Free at Last: How to Break Out of a Destructive Lifestyle, we are going to dive straight into the supernatural, step-by-step transformation process from Ephesians 4. Together, we’ll learn how to finally “take off” those suffocating old habits and “put on” a vibrant, Christ-centered way of living.
God changes lives through the Power of His Word and His Spirit in the context of sacrificial, other-centered relationships.
Radical life change is absolutely possible for anyone trapped in destructive patterns, addiction, or codependency. It’s even possible for the person who has walked completely away from God.
Let me share an encouraging story of someone who struggled to live out her faith, just like I did.
“I was raised in a Christian home, but God was always more of a set of rules than a Father,” Katy shared. For many years, she coasted along on her parents’ faith, looking like a good Christian on the outside but wrestling with a prodigal heart. Eventually she walked away from her faith, sure that God had given up on her.
Many years later, Katy’s heart was moved by God through a Living on the Edge broadcast and the prayerful intervention of a friend. God showed her that she was never too far for Him to reach. In fact, He’d been with her the whole time. “I finally understood that He forgave me for walking away from Him. The discipleship teaching from Ephesians helped me truly understand what God did on the cross, and now I have the tools I need to really live out my faith.”
Katy is living proof of God’s supernatural grace and His power to rewrite a life; but it only happened when she learned how God changes our lives from the inside out.
If you’re sitting there wondering, like Katy and I once did, if the Christian life is nothing more than a heavy, exhausting list of expectations, I promise you this: There is something so much better.
Following Jesus isn't about trying harder and harder to be a good person. It is a breathing, fruitful, vibrant relationship with a living God who loves you fiercely and completely. When you start living from His approval instead of for it, you too can experience that new life.
Will you personally join me this month so you can experience that freedom?
- First, tune in daily on the broadcast. Let’s unpack the godly wisdom and practical steps needed for lasting transformation.
- Second, get raw and honest with God. Ask Him to reveal any destructive patterns keeping you from becoming the person He created you to be.
- Finally, don’t keep this to yourself. Share what you learn. Someone in your circle desperately needs this message of love and forgiveness.
To help you with that last step, we put together a special resource. This month, when you buy a copy of Yes, You Really CAN Change, we’ll give you a second copy absolutely free to read with a friend or pass along to a family member. This book is a hands-on guide to renewing your heart and mind for real, lasting change.
You can also help carry this message forward by joining the incredible Living on the Edge family who back this ministry financially. Your giving directly delivers God’s love and grace to hurting people. It equips pastors worldwide with the heavy-duty spiritual training and biblical resources they need to grow true disciples. And it brings hope and identity to a younger generation that is wrestling hard for purpose right now.
If the world ever needed to see Christians who actually live like Christians—it’s today!
Will you answer His call to become the person Christ saved you to become? And will you link arms with me to help others do the same?
Chip Ingram
Co-Founder, CEO & Teaching Pastor
Living on the Edge
Your Gift Changes Lives!
Living on the Edge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1995, gifts to which are tax deductible as charitable contributions to the full extent permitted by law. Living on the Edge’s Tax ID Number is 46-0484695.
