Steeped in Sin yet Counted Blameless!
Daily the struggle continues to live a godly life in the face of temptation. The Word tells me that I succomb to temptation when I'm carried away and enticed by own lusts. (James 1:14) My huge struggle right now is rebellion. If I break this sin of "rebellion" down to its foundation, I come to idolatry---I don't mean bowing down to a golden statue. I mean bowing down to myself. Lacking joy in submission to my authorities is essentially idolizing my own agenda and telling God that I don't see the value in submitting to His will for my life. I deny Him glory and steal it for myself. I'm smacking the Almighty in the face each time this happens, which is unfortunately often.
I'm encouraged by the Scripture that says "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the tempation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Typically my rebellion flares in a flash of self-defense when I feel like I or someone I love has been attacked. Sometimes it's defensiveness because of strong disagreement. After I've already run my mouth, then I stop and think about what I've said and the tone of voice I've used. Many times it's not honoring to the one spoken to and not glorifying to God. Sometimes I hear the Holy Spirit say, "Colleene! Shut Your Mouth!" Those times I'll keep my mouth shut and be boiling inside. Then I'm obeying outwardly but not doing it with joy. I sin either way. My own opinions and feelings are so prominent in my mind that they drown out the Holy Spirit's voice! How grievous that is! How heart-wrenching to know that I dishonor my God this way so regularly. Who do I serve? Myself or the Triune God who has counted me blameless by the blood of Christ?
I want to be counted worthy of my calling and to fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power so that the name of my Lord Jesus will be glorified in me according to the grace of my God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (adapted from 2 Thess. 1:11-12)
(Does anyone relate to this? If so, please comment. Sometimes it can be a real encouragement to know others struggle with the same sin.)
I pray the following passage seeking desperately for the Lord to cleanse me, sanctify me, overpower my sinful nature and place in me the overwhelming desire to glorify Him with my attitude, my words, my actions. "May the God of peace Himself sanctify me entirely; and may my spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of my Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls me and He will also bring it to pass." (adapted from 1 Thess. 5:23-24)
How amazing it is that Christ would die for a sinner so vile as I! How amazing that He'd credit His righteousness to my account that is so overdrawn.
I'm encouraged by the Scripture that says "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the tempation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Typically my rebellion flares in a flash of self-defense when I feel like I or someone I love has been attacked. Sometimes it's defensiveness because of strong disagreement. After I've already run my mouth, then I stop and think about what I've said and the tone of voice I've used. Many times it's not honoring to the one spoken to and not glorifying to God. Sometimes I hear the Holy Spirit say, "Colleene! Shut Your Mouth!" Those times I'll keep my mouth shut and be boiling inside. Then I'm obeying outwardly but not doing it with joy. I sin either way. My own opinions and feelings are so prominent in my mind that they drown out the Holy Spirit's voice! How grievous that is! How heart-wrenching to know that I dishonor my God this way so regularly. Who do I serve? Myself or the Triune God who has counted me blameless by the blood of Christ?
I want to be counted worthy of my calling and to fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power so that the name of my Lord Jesus will be glorified in me according to the grace of my God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (adapted from 2 Thess. 1:11-12)
(Does anyone relate to this? If so, please comment. Sometimes it can be a real encouragement to know others struggle with the same sin.)
I pray the following passage seeking desperately for the Lord to cleanse me, sanctify me, overpower my sinful nature and place in me the overwhelming desire to glorify Him with my attitude, my words, my actions. "May the God of peace Himself sanctify me entirely; and may my spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of my Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls me and He will also bring it to pass." (adapted from 1 Thess. 5:23-24)
How amazing it is that Christ would die for a sinner so vile as I! How amazing that He'd credit His righteousness to my account that is so overdrawn.
Hey girl. I think we all struggle at somepoint with this. But we all know who can take it away. Its good to remember that our battle is not with "flesh and blood" because we know that flesh will only entrench flesh. The war according to the flesh keeps us blind and captive to the "seen" We have the weapons that we need to fight this war. We can stand in oneness with the Victor Himself. (Jo 16:33) Sometimes we let our feelings overcome us because we want to fix something, or we need to get results, but these will only be short term. When we need to lay hold of Love remembering the fruit of the Spirit. We can't wait on our feelings because how often do they lead us into sin? We have to learn to let the Spirit lead the way. Learning to not be critical/judgemental but learning to see what God sees...the need behind the fault. God does not allow us to see another persons fault so we can be critical but so we can intercede. So, my encourgement would be to (don't take this wrong)...but keep quiet and let the Spirit lead you and not your emotions. I struggle with this daily. But Praise God He does not give up on me!
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Hey Taria! Thanks so much for your encouraging reply to my last blog. You are so right---we always go wrong when we let our emotions lead our thoughts or actions. I am guilty of this soooooo often. Feelings do lead into sin because they are based in the flesh. May the Lord by the power of His mighty Spirit overpower my urge to react to my feelings which lie to me and try to convince me that I matter! Please Lord---subdue my flesh, my feelings, my self-centeredness and work into me a love and service that is pure, devoted, and completely focused on things eternal. May Christ be the only sight for my eyes and the only source for my help. May He place me in submission and make my heart joyful in Himself. Truly He can do it! Though I forsake Him, He is faithful. Though I am wretched and broken, He is perfect and holy! Praise His name! Praise God for you, Sister! May you be encouraged. You are treasured in our sisterhood.
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