Jesus has won the victory over death and satan, BUT, if you do not have the power of Christ in your life, then you are defenseless against the evil one..
Choose NOT to give in to satan’s temptation; do not give him a foothold through resentment, bitterness, jealousy, anger, guilt, worry, anxiety or fear..
Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life..
When your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit you hinder him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your self-life from dominating you!..
So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit..
But when you yield to the life of the Spirit, you will no longer be living under the law, but soaring above it!..
The behavior of the self-life is obvious: Sexual immorality, lustful thoughts, pornography, chasing after things instead of God, manipulating others, hatred of those who get in your way, senseless arguments, resentment when others are favored, temper tantrums, angry quarrels, only thinking of yourself, being in love with your own opinions, being envious of the blessings of others, murder, uncontrolled addictions, wild parties, and all other similar behavior..
Haven’t I already warned you that those who use their “freedom” for these things will not inherit the kingdom realm of God!..
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
Joy that overflows,
Peace that subdues,
Patience that endures,
Kindness in action,
A life full of virtue,
Faith that prevails,
Gentleness of heart, and
Strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless..
“But I say, walk and live habitually in the Holy Spirit, responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh; of human nature without God……..”(Galatians 5:16)
December 27
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. —John 12:26. We can’t out-serve, out-love,