Everyday we have a choice to serve God or our flesh. Life brings many challenges and temptations that force us to walk according to the Spirit or our Flesh. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law”. Galatians 5:16-18
The spiritual battle Christians face daily is to die to self that God may be glorified. To love God with all of their heart, soul and mind and their neighbor as themselves. “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself”. Matthew 22:37-39
This is not easy but if a Christian focuses on things that are spiritual and not material or the things of this world, God through the power of the Holy Spirit will make this daily choice obtainable.
The enemy of our soul Satan, tempts us to focus on past hurts, financial needs, current affairs in the world, and the conditions of our present relationships. This can cause us to be anxious, depressed, paranoid or angry. Allowing these emotions to flood our thoughts, feelings and mind and robbing the Christian of peace, sleep, joy and hope.
So what is the scripture remedy to these daily challenges we face, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:6-7 KJV
Being careful for nothing is trusting God as a loving Father to hear our prayers, direct our steps, to give us wisdom and strength so we can face our daily challenges and temptations. When we walk by the Spirit and are not controlled by the desires of our flesh, the enemy of our soul is defeated daily. The question is, Do you love God more than you love yourself, so that your daily goal is to glorify Christ in Word and Deed? And when you fall short as we often do, do you quickly repent and continue the journey towards sanctification and the daily death to self so that God is glorified.
Now you are a walking testimony of the power of God to conquer sin!
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