Got Change?Sample

FIGHT! OVERCOME SIN It is one thing to have the knowledge of the scriptures and all that God has taught us but another thing to do what we know and what we have heard. Paul urges the Philippian church, "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Sin is constantly knocking on our doors and desires to master us. But when we grow in our love for God and the truth of His word we will be able to do what God desires and not what our sinful nature dictates. Jesus clearly states that if we say we love him we will obey his commands. The culture of the world we live in pushes us to think that we are better off than others, leads us to compromise our pure actions and discourages us to live a life of righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees. Living a pure life is not simply to follow a set of rules and regulations. It is a call to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. For our flesh desires to do what the Spirit doesn't like, and the Spirit desires us to do what our flesh doesn't like. There is an everyday battle raging on between our flesh and our spirit. The battle between fleeing from our sinful nature and growing in the fruit of the Spirit - fleeing from sexual immorality, impurity, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, envy and drunkenness, and growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The gospel that we believe in sets us free from our past deeds of darkness and we must not return to them. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is working in us and if we believe in the power of his resurrection, we have hope for eternal life, and anyone who has this hope will stop sinning. The CHALLENGE to Change: Are there intentional acts of sin or habits that you need to be set free from? Confess them to God, pray and let the Spirit set you free.