Living by the Spirit
Sometimes it's hard to realize how much God loves us. There's so many stipulations and expectations that people have of us that sometimes we feel are unrealistic. We are human and we are well aware of our failures and weaknesses.
I completely believe in living a life of holiness and purity and I know that with the Holy Spirit abiding in us, it can be achieved. There's a place of such intimacy and devotion to Jesus that the mere thought of sinning against Him is inconceivable. Though sin once ruled each of our lives, we've surrendered to the crucifixion process of our Lord and pleasing Him is now the basis and motivation for our lives.
That being said, a life of holiness doesn't mean perfection. Only Jesus achieved that. What it does mean is that even when we mess up, our motives, actions or thoughts didn't line up with His desires, we quickly repent... not apologize, but genuinely repent and continue to draw closer to Him, so that the behavior becomes purged in His presence.
We must have a conscious crucifixion of our flesh and its natural tendencies. It's a 2 part process...discipline and living deep in the Secret Place. For instance, if pornography and lust is your hang up, you don't continue watching as you're praying for God to remove the desire. Likewise with drugs, alcohol, promiscuity...etc... you can't continue in the behavior and just wait for God to change you, therefore placing the blame for your sin on Him!
Yes, it will require God's strength and intervention, but that will flow from your relationship with Him and your dedication to change... even when it hurts, replacing the sin with time spent with God and washing your mind in His Word.
So, why did I start out talking about God's love then turn this into a holiness message? This isn't bate and switch:) The enemy's desire in holding you captive to sin is to separate you from God through guilt, condemnation and shame. Our God is not shocked by man's tendency to sin, but He loves you enough to want you set free from its control. He knows the end result and destruction it will cause in your life. It's a trap set by the enemy and even what you think is hidden will someday be exposed. The enemy is relentless and will use every opportunity to destroy your life.
You've been called by a loving God, to walk by His Spirit and not by your flesh... don't hide in shame, admit your weaknesses, repent and begin the transformation process. There's 2 paths... today's the day to choose!
Galatians 5:19-25 (NLT) When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
