If I’m honest, this season of my life is most interesting. Just when you think you have certain weaknesses and struggles under your feet, WHA-LA, The Lord reveals something else that still needs work or obliteration. In this season, The Lord has really been dealing with me about me and my ability to DIE TO SELF in order for me to fully see His supernatural manifested in my life.
Truth be told, I’ve been battling in my flesh in certain areas. As Christians, we know that the Word says that when we died in Christ, we now have power over sin, satan and our flesh. The Word is clear that when Christ died, He crucified our sinful nature to the cross and that we’re no longer slaves to sin, but have the ability to be slaves to righteousness. Those scriptures are powerful, true and chain breaking. We could end the blog-post right there and start shouting because it’s understanding those scriptures that spark true deliverance in our lives.
But, here’s my dilemma, what do you do when you’re flesh kicks in and rises up against you and it’s not satan, it’s not someone else or even demons tempting you to sin but IT’S YOU and the desires that abide in you?
Right now, I’m finding that fighting myself is one of my hardest battles. When you’re no longer fighting an outside enemy, but you’re fighting the core of who you really are, your own selfishness, personal desires and agendas, your own hungers, palliate and cravings both naturally and physically. What happens when you’re lusting in your flesh, eyes and have the pride of life within you? What happens when you crave things, have a palliate or hunger for something contrary to God? What happens when that weakness you’ve been trying to control, takes over you and you keep falling?
Truth be told, this right here, represents all of us, not just me. We’re all struggling in one area or another and we all have weaknesses that Christ needs US to put under our feet. What am I referring to here? Our inability in our own strength to die to our flesh, our old man, our sinful, carnal nature.
I’ve read something very interesting in the book “Death To Self, The Path to Change & The Power of God,” written by Apostle Guillermo Maldonado. He said,
“…when (Adam & Eve) accepted the lie and satan’s temptation…the sinful nature, rebellion and hate towards God found in satan became a part of mankind’s nature.”
I thought that statement was sooo profound. I understood that when Adam & Eve sinned, we’ve inherited a sinful nature, but, I never looked at it from the perspective that EVERYTHING satan feels towards God, his pure hatred, rebellion, lust and pride, I feel in my flesh and will demonstrate that in my actions if I’m not submitted to God.I thought to myself, “oh my gosh, I don’t want to be like satan and do things in my flesh that demonstrates I hate God.
That statement convicted me because it made me realize that every time I surrender to my flesh and allow it to dictate what I do, I’m demonstrating my flesh’s natural inclination to hate God and naturally, that makes me shudder.
So, I’m on a journey of learning to crucify my flesh. I love the Lord and in my heart, I desire that NOTHING control me. I want my life to demonstrate my love for Him in obedience, not hate in my selfishness, pride and rebellion. I want Christ to reign supreme. I want to see the fulfillment of His promises. I want to demonstrate His power in my everyday life but I will NEVER see His promises or supernatural power if I don’t DIE to the very things trying to control me. So, this has been my journey, moment by moment, decision to decision, choice to choice to see Christ reign supreme.
The bibles says,
Romans 7:21-25 (NLT)
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart.23 But there is another power[b] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
For those of you that’s struggling with anything today, be encouraged, our help is in Jesus and He’ll strengthen us, cause us to endure and and see our transformation to completion. Everything that God gives to us, comes to us through death – Guillermo Maldonado.
Continue to join me as I share with you what Christ is sharing with me about overcoming. As always, Be Encouraged, Stay Connected, Fight and Let’s Become Free Together.
Principles on How to Surrender (I98) Guillermo Maldonado
In His Name,
Ke’Shawn Adamson
B.O.O.M!
