"For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members."
What a relief that I am not the only one who fights this battle. Paul gives me a great insight that the battle I fight daily within is a part of the Christian life, it is one that we all deal with on a regular basis. And as usual, Paul gives us great direction, guidance, wisdom, and hope:
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of the sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace!"
It's not a coincidence that when I am feeding my flesh I'm not at peace. And, once again, God's Word is Truth in my life. How I wish I had His Word so deeply planted in my mind that I could avoid times where I am feeding my flesh!
It's been a rough month for me. My good friend Phil Bell left our church. Phil and I have worked together for many years doing youth ministry. I have always loved working with him, we think a lot a like and we respect and understand each other as a great team should. Him leaving threw me in a loop, both spiritually and emotionally. I understood why he left, I really do. But, I just couldn't get over how he had left. Sadly, as I so often do, I internalized it and made it about me. I fed my flesh. I caused me to loose joy; joy in my schoolwork, my family, my ministry, myself, and my friendship with him and others. I wept, complained, resented and became bitter. I knew what was happening to me, but I refused to "fix" it. I wanted justification. God gave it to me through His Word, through friends and through my husband.
I have much to be thankful for, I have much joy for the enemy to steal, but I refuse. I refuse to allow Satan to steal the moments of gratefulness that I have been given. He is a crook, a thief and he can't take away anything from me that I don't allow him to! Paul continues in Romans,
"Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation - but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship."
I couldn't have said it any better.......I choose to live by the Spirit!
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