Perspectives

Galatians 5:16-17… 16) I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to 17) For 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. (Living Bible)

Out for a walk one cannot help but marvel at the beauty of nature. There are the birds busy catching worms to feed their young. You look up at the sky, “Wow” you say. Then I hear and see young drivers speeding by spinning their tires and I think, “why would they do that to their cars?” Then I remember what we did when we were that young and so I say to myself, “I know why they make the tires scream like that.” Reliving the past can be a good thing. We might even think that we are lucky to enjoy all these kinds of bits and pieces from the past.

Now I do not know if you are like me, but when I get into this kind of mood my mind takes off in every which way. I think how peaceful everything seems to be; would it not be great if life was like this all the time?  However, we are grown up, I am an older person, I must think like an older person, I must lay aside my youthful thinking and take an honest look at myself. I really do not want to cloud my thinking or become so serious that it would take the joy out of everyday life.

Those of us, who have trust in Jesus Christ, have within our heart two forces that want control of our emotions, our thought life and the choices we make. If that is not enough, every pressure known to us molds our personality and our temperament. We are literally a human battle ground.  Raging inside us is a war between our sinful nature and the Holy Spirit.

The Bible teaches that the old self behaviour sets its needs and wants against the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit against the desires of our earthly nature… these are in total opposition to each other. Justification does not kill or rationalize or decrease our wickedness; it merely sets us free from the penalty of our fallen condition.

Once we are saved, we enter a war we never struggled or came to terms with as unbelievers. As Christians we become embroiled in a fierce battle between the Spirit and that old sinful nature. Until we die or Christ physically removes us from this earth, we will continue to experience this turbulent warfare. We will be challenged on every front, the battle will be fierce, but victory is ours because Christ loves us and our struggle becomes his struggle.

There are times when you and I seem to be at the mercy of our own sinful nature. Nothing seems to go our way, somehow we go from bad to worse and we feel so beat-up. Paul, however; reassures us that our walk can be filled with internal peace if we will only let the Holy Spirit help us.

Somehow it seems normal for us to love doing 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 one another to win control over us and our wishes are never free from their pressures.

When we are guided by the Holy Spirit we need no longer force ourselves to obey issues that are contrary to the will of God. But when we follow our own wrong inclinations our lives will produce evil results like impure thoughts or eagerness for lustful pleasures. But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce fruit in us that is revealed in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness and many other good desires.

Those who belong with Christ have nailed their evil desires to His Cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Would you pray this prayer with me …“Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that Peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen.