I once heard a famous pastor say something to the effect of, "It's easy to die to self. Just don't do the things that you want to do that separates you from God." And at that particular time I just happened to be going through a battle with my flesh. There was something I had been engaging in and enjoying, but knew that it went against everything God was for and everything God was doing in my life.
I thought about what the pastor had said, and decided and made a declaration that I would no longer engage in the sin that was separating me from my beloved Father. I mean the pastor did say it was just that easy...right? WRONG! DEAD WRONG! It was not easy at all. As soon as the temptation presented itself, my flesh was too weak and could not deny it.
You see, I had allowed myself to become too entangled in this activity. It had now become a stronghold in my life and I knew then I was in trouble. It was going to take much more than just deciding and declaring over my life.
Paul went through a similar struggle in his walk with God. Read with me from The Message Bible, Romans 7:14-24
14-16 I can anticipate the response that is coming: “I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.
17-20 But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23 It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
That was too real, but that is exactly how I was feeling and that was my sincere question; "Is there no one who can do anything for me!?"
Paul finally figures it out as did I and answers his own question in the next verse. Read with me:
25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
I begin to repent and cry out to God like never before, asking Him to restore me back to Himself, and guess what, Beloved? He did just that.
If you are going through this spiritual battle in your life, I encourage you to repent (read Psalm 51 as a guide) and then with sincerity cry out to God for deliverance and restoration. He will come through. Only the power of God can get you through this. I am a witness and you've just read my testimony. God loves us too much to leave us where we are. Because of His power I can die to self today. I have prepared a prayer for you below. Please don't leave this site before you pray this sincere prayer. I love you beloved and don't forget to check out some of the other articles in this blog for wisdom and encouragement.
Author: The Proverbs 31 Woman
