RENEW | Day 21 • Win the Battle: Flesh vs. Spirit
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NOTE: Excerpt from "Renew: Principles of Change for a Better Life." Get the ebook or book and Join In this 30-Day Devotional
____________________Galatians 5:16-17, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
In biblical terms the soul lies between the spirit and the body (human nature or “flesh”). As a result your soul (mind, will and emotions) is “pulled” in two directions--either by the Spirit of God or by our human nature (flesh). For example, we can think both sinful thoughts or holy thoughts (our mind). We can desire to do something self-destructive or we can desire to do something that saves lives (our will). We can feel like quitting or we can feel like praising God (our emotions).
Having conflicting thoughts, desires and emotions is not something that we “get over” because it is part of our human nature until Christ returns. Renewing our minds will reduce the severity of these conflicting thoughts as we learn to “walk in the Spirit.” We must be intentional when it comes to renewing the mind and staying in the presence of God.
Developing and maintaining a healthy mind is not an involuntary action like breathing. It is a voluntary act like eating healthy foods.
Winner’s Affirmations:
- By the grace of God, I am what I am
- I honor people at all levels of life
- Winning with God is my priority
- I give God the glory and I put in the work
- Helping others helps me
- I will not gain the world and lose my soul
- I can do more than I've done before
- I might be young, but don’t underestimate me
- I might be an old dog, but I still learn lots of tricks
- I have the “rage to master”
- I am not a quitter and I don’t “half step”
- I honor people at all levels of life
- Winning with God is my priority
- I give God the glory and I put in the work
- Helping others helps me
- I will not gain the world and lose my soul
- I can do more than I've done before
- I might be young, but don’t underestimate me
- I might be an old dog, but I still learn lots of tricks
- I have the “rage to master”
- I am not a quitter and I don’t “half step”
Reflection Question: What is one way to think that help you walk more in the Spirit?
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If you were blessed by this or any other lesson during the RENEW devotional, feel free to share your insights and testimony with me using the "My Testimony" link below.
If you were blessed by this or any other lesson during the RENEW devotional, feel free to share your insights and testimony with me using the "My Testimony" link below.
