Bible Ballistics: BBs #553     But I Don’t Want To???

 

“O wretched man that I am!

who shall deliver me

from the body of this death?

25 I thank God

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So then with the mind I myself

 serve the law of God;

but with the flesh       

the law of sin.”   Romans 7:24-25

Romans chapter 7 closes with this desperate cry from Paul, “who shall deliver me from the body of this death?’ But Paul didn’t stop there—praise God! We do live in a body of flesh, that still wrestles with evil cravings, self-will, and tendencies to discouragement! But Praise God, Paul didn’t’ stop there—because God hasn’t stopped there.  Our hope isn’t in our flesh—OH how glad I am of that—but our hope is IN Jesus and the precious Holy Spirit whom He imparts to those who come to Him in repentance and faith.

That means that in those days when my flesh is doubting, pouting, and about to be ‘dropping-outting’ (as my pastor puts it), I don’t have to quit for I/we DO have a deliverer!

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit

of life

in Christ Jesus

hath made me free from the law

of sin

and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law

might be fulfilled

 in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.”   Romans 8:1-4

I don’t have to yield to the flesh—for I have The Holy Spirit of Jesus dwelling within me!  Therefore, I don’t have to give in to my flesh when it is screaming in my heart and mind, “I don’t want to!”; instead I can “stand fast in the evil day”! It’s not always easy, but it is simple to know that I can control my heart and mind by keeping my heart and mind set on Jesus, His Word and resisting the enemy of my/your soul! Here are a few scriptures for you to ponder today if you are wrestling with your mindset, as I often do!  Bring those thoughts “captive” to Jesus’ power, grace and holiness!

“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us

lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore

to God.

Resist the devil,   

and he will flee from you.” James 4:5-7

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust

of the flesh…

..25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16 & 25

And 2 passages that I rehearse to myself frequently may help you as much as they help me check those thoughts “at the door” of my heart and mind.  If it’s the devil wanting to get in, we CAN slam the door!

“Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

 if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.”   Philippians 4:8

“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,

but mighty through God

to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing that exalteth itself

against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity

every thought

to the obedience of Christ;”   2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I want to—and “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13

Amen and Amen!