“I yam what I am.”
Too many people believe that they can’t change anything about themselves or are to prideful to change certain behaviors that could use some straightening out.
Changing Behavior! We have to do so. Romans Chapter 8 reminds us why it is so important.
Romans 8:5- – 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
We are sinful creatures of habit. It says the sinful mind is hostile to God. However, we can make an effort to form good habits. Jesus paved the way for us to have victory in life and to be able to control our sinful desires with His Spirit.
Romans 8:9-11 – 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
This world is full of the desires of the sinful nature. Go to most movies anymore and it’s like Hollywood has a checklist. That list is the 10 commandments and they have to break at least 7 out of 10 before the average movie gets released. Secular music is full of either pain or behavior contrary to how were supposed to be living in the Spirit.
Romans 8:12 – 12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.
It is our duty as a Christian to live in the Spirit and for Christ. We have victory in Christ. Even with this victory it takes an effort and “want to.”
The simple question we have to ask ourselves today is do we want to? Because if we answering I don’t want to, are we being hostile towards God? The sinful mind is hostile towards God.
Romans 8:13 – 13 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,
The natural thing for any human to do in his sinful nature is whatever desires. To do something contrary to that takes effort. With the Spirit of Christ we have the ability. Is God worth the effort? Is God worth dying to our sinful nature and living for Him? For the person who chooses no, they will be in the majority, but they won’t enjoy the final result.
Weeping and gnashing of teeth. Lake of Fire. These are penalties of those who choose to ignore or be enemies of the One True Living Creator. What about those who choose to love and obey God?
Romans 8:14-17 – 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Co-heirs with our loving King Jesus. The flesh is always at war with the Spirit. We have to die to the flesh and feed the Spirit.