When we hear the word “metamorphosis” we often think about butterflies, but did you know that its meaning comes from the Greek word morphoo, which means “the inward and real formation of the essential nature of a person”? Entomologists, scientists who specialize in insects, recognize two basic forms of metamorphosis: complete and incomplete.
In the complete metamorphosis, an insect travels through all stages of growth, starting with conception, on into adulthood, and finally becoming a butterfly. During this process, it is not unusual for an insect to undergo multiple changes in physical form ~ both inside and out, but initially always from within. In a complete metamorphosis, the function of the newborn insect is to eat and grow until it becomes an adult and can reproduce.
In an incomplete metamorphosis, the insect develops only partially, never realizing its full potential. Extending this metaphor to Christianity can be helpful. Without Christ as our Savior, we can never develop to our full potential because that can not happen until we evolve into the image of Christ. We can’t do that if our sins are not covered by the blood He shed on the cross.
There is a parallel biblical comparison to incomplete metamorphosis called ‘metaschematizo’, which means ‘to change one’s outward form’. ‘Metaschematizo,’ however, does not alter a person internally. The Key Word Study Bible describes the difference between morphoo and metaschematizo in this way:
If one were to change a Dutch garden into an Italian one, this would be metaschematizo. But if one were to transform a garden into something wholly different, as into a baseball field, it is ‘morphoo’ ~ to change in complete form.
‘Metaschematizo’ is most commonly observed in modern medicine’s approach to healing. There are many tools, techniques, and books utilized for the purpose of healing and transformation, but they are merely band aids to a dying world. They cover the wound, but the wound only heals on the surface, while the festering continues underneath. Complete and perfect healing, as well as transformation, comes from one place: the cross of Jesus.
In his book, Winning the Daily Battle with Satan, Ray Stedman (1917-1992) makes a very important point about the world’s attempt to change individuals:
“What are the usual methods of human reform? ...they are legislation, education, and an improved environment. Every problem we face is usually approached by using one of these reforms, if not all three combined. Legislation is law ~ the attempt to control the behavior of the outward man. Law alone can do nothing to alter the inward man. It does not change the basic nature of man but merely restricts him under certain conditions.
“Education is one of the worst so-called remedies. Education does not change the core of a man or woman ~ it only makes him or her more clever, and potentially more destructive.
“An improved environment does not change a person either. When you take a man out of the slums, for example, and put him into a nicer environment, you do absolutely nothing to the man himself. In a little while he’ll make that new environment the slum as well.
“This is not to say that these reforms have no value. But let’s not make the mistake of thinking that these reforms will lead us to...transform human nature and the inner human being.”
I spent years in therapy as a result of childhood abuse and self-inflicted abuse as an adolescent and young adult. I’ve read many self-help books and attended hundreds of secular seminars on how to attain healing, peace, and joy. In doing so, I eventually functioned in a somewhat healthy manner in a dysfunctional world. Nothing I tried, however, brought even a glimpse of complete healing in any area of my life. Metaphorically speaking, I even moved from a Dutch garden to an Italian garden, but I sensed there was something more ~ I just didn’t know what.
When I became a believer on November 2, 1993, construction began from within and continues today, transforming a garden overrun by weeds into a temple where the Holy Spirit resides. Although the remodeling is not yet complete, the Holy Spirit is the contractor that oversees every step of the building process. The goal is that the temple within will ultimately reflect the image of Christ.
There is one place we can find true transformation and that is at the foot of the cross in prayer. Metamorphosis does not occur on its own; we must pursue God’s will by pursuing Him. Who better can bring about real, lasting change than the One who created you in your mother’s womb for such a time as this, who set you apart for a specific and special purpose, and knows the will He wants to accomplish in your life?
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