Today’s Encouragement is, “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.” Romans 8:12-13 NLT
You Will Live –
Notice it is the Spirit that has the power, not us alone. “For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5b) Also, it is through the Spirit’s power that WE put the deeds of our own sinful nature to death. We do this, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our sinful nature is at war with our spiritual nature. No one needs convincing of that! But in our own strength, willpower, good intentions, self-discipline… we cannot win this spiritual war; we can do nothing!
To become stronger physically, we exercise, eat right, feed, and use our muscles. The same is true for your spiritual nature. We feed it through God’s Word, believing His Truth, choosing Faith over fear, and we exercise it through prayer and obedience.
Of course, we can’t do anything perfectly! But as we exercise our spiritual nature (just as we exercise our physical body), that nature becomes stronger, and our sinful nature becomes weaker. The converse is true: the more we surrender to our sin nature, the stronger it becomes!
Father God, help us to choose life! To choose to believe Your word! Choose the way, the power of Your Holy Spirit, each time we are faced with the choice, which occurs so frequently. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, alive within us, transforming us into Your children, Your followers.
Your Spirit
Kim Walker-Smith
Today’s Encouragement 