What Controls You?
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)
“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.” (Romans 8:10-12)
To be obligated is to be “caused by law or conscience to follow a certain course.” If we are in Christ Jesus we are not obligated to do what our sinful nature urges us to do because we have been set free from the law of sin of death. So while the urges of our sinful nature don’t necessarily go away, we will be more equipped to handle them with the weapons and tools that the Holy Spirit grows in our lives.
“For if you live by its [the sinful nature’s] 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 8:13)
The definition of “deed” is an action that is performed consciously or intentionally. The Greek word used here is praxis, which comes from prasso meaning “I do or I practice.” So through the power of the Holy Spirit we can put to death the practice or intentional act of sinning. Over in 1 John 3:9, John echoes these words.
“Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.” (1 John 3:9)
It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can put to death the deeds of our sinful nature. We don’t overcome sin; Jesus did that on the cross and then sent the Holy Spirit as our Helper to grow in us the fruit that combat all the things that grow as a result of following our sinful natures. So if we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, if we study God’s word, pray without ceasing, and walk closer with Him every day, the Spirit grows fruit in our life that works to combat the results of our sinful desires.
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (Galatians 5:19-25)
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14)
So are you living by the Spirit or by the dictates of your sinful nature? What controls you: the Holy Spirit or your sinful desires? When you look back at the end of the day, which did you serve? Remember that if you have been set free from the law of sin then you are no longer obligated to obey your sinful desires. Be controlled and led by the Spirit, for those who are led by the Spirit are children of God and children of God do not make a practice of sinning. Crucify the passions and desires of your sinful nature on Jesus’ cross, die to your sin, come alive in Christ Jesus, and follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of your life!
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
—Redeemed
