“So I say, let the Holy
Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature
craves.” - Galatians 5:16
Both good and evil forces
influence every human being ever born. Satan, the god of this age and of
this world, blinds the eyes of countless unsuspecting humans against seeing
God’s truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). He appeals to their
humanistic reason and draws them away from faith in God by every conceivable
lust and doubt in his arsenal. Those who do not believe in the name of God’s
only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, have already condemned themselves (John 3:16-19). They reject the Light of God who came into the
world. They love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil (2 Thessalonians 2:12-13).
If we choose to believe that
Jesus is God and to repent of our sins, we are not condemned, and our spirit is
Born Again. God is just. He faithfully forgives anyone who is willing, and
purifies us from all unrighteous thoughts and lifestyles. If we simply confess our sin and call upon Him, He will hear us (1 John 1:9). He
gives His Spirit to everyone who will repent and believe (Mark
1:15). By choosing a life in Christ instead of one immersed
in sin and degradation, we ultimately find a fullfilled life,
overflowing with blessings.
At times, we cannot fathom the reasons behind God’s
plan and actions. A stubborn pull toward sin and depravity remains within our fleshly,
carnal nature, even after our salvation (Galatians 5:17). God
does not mind us questioning Him, accusing Him of some lack or walking out of
His will now and then. Through the process of Sanctification, however, we are
slowly but consistently losing our doubts and carnality, as He conforms us into
the image of Christ (John 17:17-19; Romans
8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:1).
The more we feed our spirit
by prayer, Bible study, worship and obedience, the stronger it is, and the
weaker our flesh becomes (Galatians 5:16, 24). It takes faith to accept some
Biblical truths, while others are plain to see, as God works out His will in
our life. Satan tells sinners that the Bible is an archaic book written by
deceptive men in ancient times; but every Believer knows this holy book is
inspired, alive and life-changing (Hebrews 4:12;
2 Timothy 3:16).
God is the purifying fire and the silversmith who removes the dross from
our lives. As He turns up the heat ever so slightly throughout our lifetime, He
eventually begins to see His reflection when He looks into our soul (1 Peter 1:7; Proverbs 17:3, 25:4; Isaiah 48:10; 2 Timothy
2:21). In the center of God’s will and in total surrender to Him
in every area of our life, we live in total peace and joy.
Prayer:
Father God, we find that there are dire consequences for ignoring Your
justice and holiness. Your wrath will consume unrighteousness and Your holiness
forebears no breach of conduct or thought. However, You never send judgment
without first sending us a warning. All of Your prophets, as well as Jesus
Himself, gave warnings to the people of their day. Today, You give us Your Holy
Word, which provides unlimited warnings of what is to come. Help us to heed
Your Word and to share its truths with everyone You bring our way.
Thought for the Day:
There
is a cosmic struggle within each life between satanic forces and God’s Holy
Spirit. It is up to us to break the tie.
