Defeated in your mind before you start?

A Christian man said to me, "Pastor, I dread the Summer time. Women show so much more skin and lust overtakes me!"  That’s honest and wrong.  I know that Fred’s struggle was real but because of his attitude, he was set up for failure! This man had already 'surrendered' to the temptation. How many of us believe that that sin is like gravity, uncontrollable and irresistible. Christians can enter into a transformational process that changes our 'natural' responses.  We not simply say, “Well, there I go again” with a regretful smile and small intent to do better the next time.

Wrath, greed, dishonesty, selfishness, pornography, abuse of drugs or alcohol, gossip, gluttony, laziness, and hatred are just a few things that are the work of the old sinful nature. If we let them control us they will destroy our testimony, fill us with shame, and disqualify us from serving the Lord with honor.  To admit that they are real issues for us is just a first step.  The real question is –  do we really want to become like Christ Jesus? 

Will you serve God with holiness today?  Some of you are ready to insist, “Jerry, I just don’t know. Temptation comes at me out of nowhere and I … “   No, Christian, they do not!  Temptation for the Christian comes from needs unmet in the right way.  We lose so many battles with it because we spend way too much time dealing symptoms instead of causes.  If we work on getting our relationships in order (think forgive, connect, time), if we get proper rest, if we avoid making silly financial decisions, if we prioritize worship – we will be amazed at how much less we feel the tug of temptation.

It is true that the grip of the sinful nature can be powerful. Our habits are reinforced by long practice. On top of that we are subject to the pressures of an ungodly world around us.  Romans 13:14 tells us to: "let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don’t think of ways to indulge your evil desires." The KJV says, "make no provision for the flesh!"  We sin because we quietly surrender ourselves. That is why the Spirit says, "Don't store up food to feed sin so it gets strong. Starve it, instead!"  Will any of us every reach a place on this earth where we live completely without failure and sin?  No, perfection is beyond us as long as we are in these mortal bodies.  Still, while we wait for our final perfection, the Bible calls on us to be "transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." {2 Corinthians 3:18}

First, we believe the Truth. Christ has defeated sin at the Cross. His work makes a holy life possible for all those who live ‘in Christ!’ That is the first fact to accept! Satan maintains his powerful influence over us by lying and illusion. Fear and ignorance provide him a place to do his infernal work.  We are not  in darkness.

Then, we invite the Presence of the Holy Spirit to become our Counselor and Friend.  Do you believe that God wants you to live in perpetual failure?  He does not! One day at a time we own Christ's victory.  We make choices to facilitate His work in us. Personal responsibility and the power of the Spirit are the twin rails that support the progress in our growth. Philippians 2:12-14 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."  

Despite wonderful intentions many keep on failing because they believe a lie.  They think that somewhere they will find an overwhelming, 'life completely changed in an instant' experience. They wander in search of this magical moment from church to church, pastor to teacher, looking for ‘revival.’  We, Pentecostals, are particularly vulnerable at this point. While the Bible does promise an empowering experience with the Holy Spirit, we must never think that our temptations are, once and for all, taken away by His fiery Presence. If we become passive, waiting for deliverance and rescue,  our failure to possess the power of God will cause us to remain slaves to sin. Powerful experiences of the Holy Spirit are valuable as crisis moments in which God points us in a new direction. Lasting transformation happens through sustained spiritual disciplines and gaining deeper understanding of who we are. It's a process.

Work out your salvation... let God use the ordinary situations of life to shape you, to test you, to deepen your faith in Him. Practice the disciplines - solitude, confession, worship, study, service - that create opportunities for the work of the Spirit to be accomplished. Grow up in Christ and begin to enjoy the productivity that comes with maturity.

Here's a word from the Word - "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace." Romans 8:5-6