Nothing really changes unless there is the conviction of the Spirit.

Here you see the change…

You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia — your faith in God has become known everywhere. 1 Thessalonians

They imitated those who taught them.

They in turn became examples despite severe hardship.

They were moved to talk about their faith.

They saw in the lives of Paul, Timothy and Silas a way of living and working and doing life which was completely different from that which they knew and which was authentically Christlike.
We are influenced not just by what we are taught but by what we experience and see modeled for us.