Choose Today
Seize The Power of God to Overcome
It is believed by those who need to make a choice that they cannot overcome their issues, problems, or sins. In some areas of our lives, it can be impossible to choose to be different. Many simply believe that they are stuck with their obsessions, addictions, anger, self-righteousness, pride, bitterness, anxiety, and all the other deeds of the flesh.
What are other deeds of the flesh? Galatians 5:19-21 says the following:
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
What are the Deeds of the Spirit?
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 says 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
They are like the person standing outside their house in the snow, holding the key to the locked door and screaming, "Would someone please let me in!" How can the believer be stuck, be locked out of victory in Christ, when they are the only ones holding the key?
Let me illustrate. One man said, "I am addicted to porno!" At that, I responded, "I bet your family is sick of watching porno with you!" He replied, "Oh no, I never look at it around them!" My question is simple, how can he be addicted if he can choose when and where he watches the porno? How can a drug addict not be able to select against the drugs when he decides to purchase it and chooses to do it out of sight? Yes, there can be a stronghold, but we must surrender to God our lust at all costs, or the lust will kill that person if we do not get rid of it. Sometimes, we can get free instantly, but sometimes, it is a walkout of choosing. It is changing that thought and not entertaining that thought.
Jesus gave us the keys to overcome all things through Him at Calvary.
Philippians 4:11–13
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
We hate to be confronted with this truth, but we are doing exactly what we want and choose to do! We cannot choose; we don't want to choose the right thing. We are in unbelief and are constantly choosing. We have to pick between the words of Jesus and the voice of the flesh.
We CHOOSE the flesh. Choosing the flesh kills. It will cause you to go deeper than you want. It is bondage. It is an inescapable fact. We are where we are today, all because of personal choice. Some will argue, "It wasn't my choice to be molested, to have an alcoholic parent, to be emotionally and verbally abused, to be abandoned, to be unloved, and more." All entirely accurate, and at first, you reacted out of instinct. However, after maturing, you have chosen your reaction/lifestyle toward the event.
After getting the proper information, we may choose to remain victims, to not see God working, to blame others, to make those around us miserable, to make others pay, to live in self-hatred, and to try to undo the past by duplicating it. Two people have a standard, horrific event in their lives. Years later, one is sweet and the other sour. Why? We want to avoid the obvious; we want to give excuses, but the fact is choice. One believed choice was more significant than in the past. The other did not.
After getting the proper information, we may choose to remain victims, to not see God working, to blame others, to make those around us miserable, to make others pay, to live in self-hatred, and to try to undo the past by duplicating it. Two people have a standard, horrific event in their lives. Years later, one is sweet and the other sour. Why? We want to avoid the obvious; we want to give excuses, but the fact is choice. One believed choice was more significant than in the past. The other did not.
Steps to TAke to Starve Out the Flesh
1. Get in the Word
2. Memorize the Word
3. Pray
4. Worship
5. Change your thoughts
by: Traci Morin
Touch of God International Ministries - a Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting Captives Free from Bondage
