What is it that wars within you? Where do you find yourself torn between what God says and what is counter to it? What temptations and struggles continue to rise up to tempt you or knock you down?
I believe we all followers of Christ struggle with a sort of war within ourselves. We desire to follow Christ – whom we gave our hearts to – but we struggle to actually live a life of obedience to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and leading because of the sin nature within us that wars against it. Most of the time when we find ourselves choosing to be disobedient to Christ’s prompting, it isn’t because we didn’t know what we were supposed to do – it’s that we chose not to do what we were being asked to do.
Choice has always been part of God’s plan for us. He could have created us differently. He could have fashioned us in such a way that we were always compliant, always living lives of obedience. God’s plan has never been to force people to do anything. God has always preferred to offer the invitation. Choice. He wants us to choose Him instead. When we have the gift of choice, we are consciously making the decision to allow God to be not only the Savior we so desperately need – but also make Him LORD of our lives. He is given the authority – but only to the extent that we allow Him. Desire Him.
Make no mistake: There is no one above God. We certainly are not. Our perspective is skewed. Our power is very limited. We are foolish to limit the authority of God in our lives because God represents and provides all that we need and desire. It is through His hand alone that our daily needs are met. His hand – His gifts – include peace, joy, patience, love, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, strength, hope, and holiness. His hand controls the movements of the natural and supernatural world. There is quite literally no mountain He cannot move. And still, this God will not force mankind to accept Him and allow Him free access to all the areas of our lives.
Even the areas within us that are at war. God stands ready to help – but waits for us to request it.
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” (Galatians 5:16-18)
Who is the Holy Spirit that we should allow to guide our lives? That is the Spirit of God. It is the part of God that is perfectly designed to dwell within us. God, yet again, creating us perfectly to fit together in a One-ness with Himself. This is truly a remarkable gift! And, this gift must be chosen. We must trust that the Spirit will always prompt us in the ways of holiness and right living because God’s spirit will never lead us in ways that are counter to the very character of God. He cannot.
When my spirit is at war within me – I must remind myself that I have been given all that I need to make the right choice. I have been given every resource that I need. Therefore, I must remember that my sinful nature does not get to win out unless I allow it. Friend, we are always better off when we do not allow it! We simply do not need to fall back into patterns of sin.
Instead, let us be reminded of the truth of who we are and who Christ is in us. “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.” (Galatians 5:24-25)
May it be so.
Blessings!