| No matter how long we have walked with God, our flesh never improves; it never becomes more like the Spirit over time! That's why we are told to crucify it and walk each day by the power God's indwelling Spirit provides. Listen: '...obey only the Holy Spirit's instructions...then you will not always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to... we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do; and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has His way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. These two forces within us are constantly fighting each other to win control over us, and our wishes are never free from their pressures... But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...' (Galatians 5:16-17, 22-23 TLB). Is such a lifestyle possible? Yes, but you must do four things: 1) recognise that you are a target for the enemy and protect yourself with God's Word and prayer 2) get rid of the one sin that repeatedly defeats you: '...lay aside... the sin which so easily ensnares...' (Hebrews 12:1 NKJV) 3) be continually filled with the Spirit's power. Without it, you lose every time 4) stand in God's strength, not your own. How? By fighting until you experience victory. His might, plus your choice to obey and keep on fighting, always lead to a clear and lasting victory! |
