This topic is one that is encouraging to the heart, even before it is discussed. What a blessing to know that Christ has won the victory for us over sin, death, hell and the grave. However, in terms of a practical application of that victory, the question that comes to my mind, as a counselor, is "How is it realized or accomplished?"
We know, in all aspects of life, that obedience requires action and application includes effort. We know that Christ has won the victory, and has called us to obedience to His Word.
If you are a student of the Bible, you are more than aware of some critical passages written to the believer concerning the blessing of victory, in opposition to the burden of defeat. 1 Corinthians 15:57 reminds us "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ". John 14:15 clearly teaches the direct
correlation between love and obedience when the award of God states
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." In John 13:17, Jesus reminds us "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." Thus, in the light of Scripture, we know that blessing and victory are available as we say "YES" to the divine design of God for our lives, and "NO"to the destructive desires of the flesh. Once again, the question is "How?"
I am repeatedly reminded of the Scripture in Galatians 5:16. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." If we think righteous thoughts, walk in righteous ways, speak righteously and make righteous decisions...all on the BASIS of Scripture, it will absolutely prevent our thinking, walking, talking and making decisions in the flesh. It is an absolute impossibility to travel simultaneously in 2 opposite directions.
If there is a particular are of spiritual defeat which is a recurring problem in your life, ask God to show you His mind from His Word in regards to that area, then employ it faithfully through the 1 Timothy 1:7 principle of spiritual exercise into godliness.
I like to use the acrostic of SPA, which reminds me of a workout room. That involves a review of the S: SCRIPTURE of pertinence, then P: PRAY in agreement with that Scripture, then take the appropriate A:ACTION necessary to
obey that Scripture. When those steps are taken, you'll find victory over-riding defeat, since according to 1 John 4:4, "he that is in us is greater than he that is in the world."
Will the temptation recur? Well, we live in the flesh, and have served the flesh many years, so Satan is desirous to bring those long standing old nature habit patterns back to deter us. When it recurs, however, repeat the same
scriptural process time after time after time. As you faithfully do so, you will notice the frequency as well as the intensity of the temptation will diminish.
I trust this is a help and blessing to you in your continuing growth process. May God bless you richly as you live a life of obedience to His Word.
© 1993 N A Collins Limited copy permission for one personal copy
We know, in all aspects of life, that obedience requires action and application includes effort. We know that Christ has won the victory, and has called us to obedience to His Word.
If you are a student of the Bible, you are more than aware of some critical passages written to the believer concerning the blessing of victory, in opposition to the burden of defeat. 1 Corinthians 15:57 reminds us "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ". John 14:15 clearly teaches the direct
correlation between love and obedience when the award of God states
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." In John 13:17, Jesus reminds us "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." Thus, in the light of Scripture, we know that blessing and victory are available as we say "YES" to the divine design of God for our lives, and "NO"to the destructive desires of the flesh. Once again, the question is "How?"
I am repeatedly reminded of the Scripture in Galatians 5:16. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." If we think righteous thoughts, walk in righteous ways, speak righteously and make righteous decisions...all on the BASIS of Scripture, it will absolutely prevent our thinking, walking, talking and making decisions in the flesh. It is an absolute impossibility to travel simultaneously in 2 opposite directions.
If there is a particular are of spiritual defeat which is a recurring problem in your life, ask God to show you His mind from His Word in regards to that area, then employ it faithfully through the 1 Timothy 1:7 principle of spiritual exercise into godliness.
I like to use the acrostic of SPA, which reminds me of a workout room. That involves a review of the S: SCRIPTURE of pertinence, then P: PRAY in agreement with that Scripture, then take the appropriate A:ACTION necessary to
obey that Scripture. When those steps are taken, you'll find victory over-riding defeat, since according to 1 John 4:4, "he that is in us is greater than he that is in the world."
Will the temptation recur? Well, we live in the flesh, and have served the flesh many years, so Satan is desirous to bring those long standing old nature habit patterns back to deter us. When it recurs, however, repeat the same
scriptural process time after time after time. As you faithfully do so, you will notice the frequency as well as the intensity of the temptation will diminish.
I trust this is a help and blessing to you in your continuing growth process. May God bless you richly as you live a life of obedience to His Word.
© 1993 N A Collins Limited copy permission for one personal copy