1 Corinthians 15:56. The sting of death [is] the sin, and the power of the sin the Law.
The Spirit has informed us that “all scripture is profitable”, and also
insists that we “study to show ourselves approved”.
2 Timothy 3:15, 16
When we study the scriptures, God reveals His heart to us, particularly
with regards to sin. The Holy Spirit helps us see our infirmities, and by
the scriptures we can pray with the power of the Word of God to overcome,
and proceed from “glory to glory”.
For the angel Gabriel proclaimed that:
“No Word spoken by God is without power”. Luke 1:37.
Some may say that this is self effort, and not grace to overcome “bad habits”
(I speak as a man), or as it is written:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge
of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
No small task!
This is the sound counsel of Scripture:
Philippians 4:
6 Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
There is great peace found after wrestling with our own infirmities, and conflicts
created by human reasoning in worldly knowledge, by prayer and supplications.
When by patient endurance, we awaken one day and realize that the Lord has
given us a victory over the carnal nature to the full extent, finding that behavior
has not entered your thoughts in days, or sometimes weeks. Knowing that the
Holy Spirit has brought a change in the depths of your heart, and that this was no
“New Year’s Resolution” change.
2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think
anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;.
How then does the Law empower sin?
It is only when we approach the Word of God and think that we can be made
righteous by obeying a Law that we stumble. This is the clear testimony of Paul
in Romans and Philippians.
Philippians 3:
9. And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which
is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness
which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship
of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.
Praying Philippians 3:10 is more powerful than all resolutions of Human intent.
Philippians 1:
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge
and in all judgment;
10 That you may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and
without offence till the day of Christ.
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto
the glory and praise of God.
And that you and yours have a Blessed New Year!