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."
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.
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
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