Make War!

Currently I am reading "Lady in Waiting" (which I HIGHLY recommend!) and a Proverb a day for my daily devotional. This morning I got to the end of my chapter in "Lady in Waiting" and the author had me read Galatians 5:16-25. It says:

"(16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (17) For the flesh sets it's desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another. so that you may not do the things that you please. (18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. (19) Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissentions, factions, (21) envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentelness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (24) Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (25) If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

As I read this I just kept thinking are those things true of me? Am I led by the Spirit? Do I live like I'm led by the spirit or do I live like I'm led by the flesh? Am I jealous? Yes. Do I have outbursts of anger? Yes. Am I loving? No. Am I patient? Definite no! Am I kind? No. So why is that?! If I say that I'm being led by the Spirit why don't I live like I am?

God has really been making a point to show me that this life is a battle! It's a constant battle! I can't just pray my sin away. I have to take up the armor of God and fight it! Not to say that I shouldn't pray or that I can fight it on my own because if I try to I will surely fail! But it isn't a passive thing. I have to take action! In order to be living as Christ did I have to study His Word and be fully emmersed in what He requires of me. And I haven't been!

The more I read the Bible the more I realize how little I know about it. I have grown up in a wonderful church with amazing pastors and leaders. I have been taught the Word both in church and in my home since the day I was born, but now I'm out on my own and it's my choice. I have to chose to get up and go to church on Sundays. I have to chose to get up earlier to spend time with my Savior. I have to chose to pick up God's Word rather than wasting time watching TV. My parents and my pastors and leaders aren't here anymore to tell me what to do. And I think now, more than ever, is when Satan wants to distract me from what God wants me to learn! And that is exactly why it's a battle and why I have to take action with the strength that comes only from "He who is greater than he who is in the world"!

Just my thoughts for the day! :) Hope it encourages and blesses you as much as God has used it to bless me today! Thanks for reading! Have a blessed day serving our Savior!