If we refuse to heed the Spirit’s
prompting in our life, we destroy our self from the inside out. We surrender to
our flesh and Satan’s purposes, and we allow them to take up God’s place in our
soul. If we choose to focus on sin in the TV shows, movies, or music we partake
of, we invite Satan to also use our body, as well as our soul (Deuteronomy
11:16). God lives within us. Do you really want to drag Him
through the mire with you?
However, if we seek God with our
whole heart (Deuteronomy 6:5), He will give us glimpses of His
glory during our life here on earth. As we dedicate our thoughts, words and
actions to Him, we desire less and less of the world. Sin starts to grieve us
as much as it grieves God. Satan is no longer able to pull us away from our
focus fixed on God (Deuteronomy 11:17-20). We read His Word, as our daily
bread, and our spirit grows stronger each day.
If we heed the Spirit’s
prompting, we realize that our humanity is dead and our life is hidden with
Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). We realize that our humanity is
actually crucified with Christ, and the life we now live is only by the faith
of the son of God, who loves us and laid down His life to save us (Galatians
2:20). We change our focus from our self, and we begin to live in the will
of God (Hebrews 10:7). We set our mind to accomplish
the works, which God created for us to accomplish before we were even born (Ephesians
2:8-10).
We walk in the Spirit moment by
moment throughout the day. Our life is a praise to Him who rides upon the
clouds (Psalm 68:4). We live a holy life by faith in
His faithfulness. This holiness is the result of our love relationship with
Christ in us. We follow His example and walk in His light, because He is our
light (1 John 1:5-7). The bi-product of this relationship is a life that
prays, reads God’s Word, worships with other Believers, evangelizes and gives
tithes and offerings.
Self-denial is not a life of
sadness and struggle; it is freedom to enjoy the blessings of God instead of
the fruit of the flesh. Our spirit is grieved when we sin, and the Spirit of
God within us is fighting for our life. In difficulties, we surrender that
trial or circumstance to God; and we walk in His Spirit, reaping the fruit of
our labors. We can rejoice in the Lord regardless of our circumstances, because
every trial is an adventure when God is in control. We live in the joy of the
Lord (John 15:11).
Prayer:
Father God, You live the
Christian life through every Believer. Show us the areas of our life that we
give Satan a foothold into our soul. Thank You for Your spiritual wisdom that
is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere (James 3:17). Living in your presence we
experience fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). We give you the praise of our
lips and the dedication of our heart as we serve You with our life.
Thought for the Day:
God saves all those who endure to the end. –
Matthew 24:13
