Hi, friends!
Today I’m looking at the wisdom of Romans 8: 9-14.
'But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all. And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.'
Our sinful natures get the best of us. They sure did me. Throughout the two decades I lived in active addiction, I always loved God. I loved Him the best I could considering my life was focused on something other than Him. Which means I really didn’t love Him anywhere near as much or in the way that I should. I couldn’t. I was too consumed with surviving and getting through each day.
I was not praying like I should have been. I was not talking to God about what was going on in my life. I thought I was hiding it from him which is ridiculous because he knows our every thought and deed. He knew exactly what I was living through, going through and was waiting for me to give it up to Him. And when I didn’t, He did it for me. You can go listen to the episode where I tell my story and how he did that.
Once I laid down my life and surrendered it to Him, addictions and all, my life transformed. It didn’t happen overnight. At least for me. It took me praying intentionally, spending time with Him every day, and putting Him first. I got serious about my relationship with God. And when I did that, the Holy Spirit took over. Like verse 9 says, the Spirit of God began to live in me.
If you do not have the Spirit of God living in you, it’s not hard to get it. You need to accept Jesus as your savior and repent your sins. Acknowledge and believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again. He took the punishment for your sin. Receive Him by faith, fully trusting in Him alone. He will wash you clean and fill your heart with everything good. You will receive a clean slate and eternal life. That’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?
If you’re new to our family, welcome! Here’s a great place to start growing in your new faith.
As a follower of Christ, you have already received the Holy Spirit. But that doesn’t mean you have given the Holy Spirit control of your life. Once you do that, you won’t want to give into your sinful nature. You will want to do what is right and pleasing to the Lord. It’s a process, but the Spirit will begin to convict you in your heart about things that you didn’t think twice about before. What you watch, what you listen to, who you hang around, what you say. The Holy Sprit started pushing his way into my heart and pushing out a bunch of stuff that didn’t belong there. And wow… I can’t tell you how different, how wonderful it is to have him there. I’ll write soon about times in my life when the Holy Spirit spoke in powerful ways that completely changed the direction of my life. More than once. It’s been quite the journey!
These verses from Romans remind us that our identity isn’t rooted in our past struggles, our mistakes or the patterns of our old life. Once we receive the spirit, we are fundamentally changed and we become His. The Spirit gives us life. Forever.
Recovery is so often an internal struggle, a battle between the yearning for a new life and the relentless pull of familiar, damaging habits. A battle between the sickness we know all too well and a life healed and whole. I want the side of healing and wholeness to win in my life and yours. Here in Romans, we find the promise of freedom through the Spirit within us. Relinquish control to the Spirit, allowing him to lead you toward renewal. He will and then the battle is all but over. God will draw His sword of Life and drive everything out but His goodness, stitching you back together, healthy and new.
The power of the holy spirit will put to death the deeds of your sinful nature. I’m so glad it does. My sinful nature was leading me straight to death. The Holy Spirit rescued me. God rescued me. He was right there waiting for me to let Him. He’s waiting for you too.
Your journey to a recovered life is a testament to the Spirit's work within you. Embrace the guidance of the Spirit and walk confidently in the freedom offered through Christ. Your past doesn’t define you. Your addiction doesn’t define you. You are not those things. your identity as a beloved child of God defines you. He loves you. He sees you. He longs to make you whole again. I pray you let him.
I pray you have a wonderfully recovered day.
Susanne
