Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 317 – Romans 8:9-14 – Controlled By The Spirit – Growing As Disciples
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 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. 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. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:9-14 (NLT)
Control
That is a very important word. That is a word that will determine the kind of life you will live not only now, but forever. What word are we talking about? We are talking about the word control. As in who or what has control of your life. Can you give me more to go on? Can you make things clearer? Certainly, I can and will. Thank you. As I usually do, I will ask you several questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. Is your life controlled by your sinful nature? Do you think and say and do what your sinful nature desires? Do you live for gratifying your flesh? Do you seek comfort and pleasure? Do you go out and do what feels good? Is your life controlled by sinful desires? There is no need for you to answer these questions now. I want you to think of the alternative. I want you to focus on the life that you have been called to live. So, I will ask you more questions. Again, you have my full attention. Are you controlled by the My Spirit living in you? Is it your desire to both know and do my will? Do you want to do what is good and right and pleasing to Me? Do you want to bear fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Do you want to shine brightly for Me in the darkness of this world? Are you allowing the My Spirit to help you to put death the deeds of your sinful nature? Now, you may answer the questions that I have asked you. It is vitally important that you answer these questions today, tomorrow and every day of your life. I know why. Tell me. How I answer these questions will determine the course of my life now and forever. My destiny will be determined by what I let control my life. Being controlled by the sinful nature will lead to death now and forever. Following my sinful nature will lead me away from you now and forever. That is not my choice. That is not what I will do. I will not allow myself to be controlled by my sinful nature. Instead, I will allow myself to be controlled by your Spirit living in me. You will help me to put to death the deeds of my sinful nature. You will help me to live a real life now and forever. You will make it so I can one day live forever in heaven with you. Yes, I will. You have chosen well. You will live the life you have been called to live. Thank you, Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my sinful nature. I will allow myself to be controlled by you. Help me to put to death the deeds of my sinful nature. Help me to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to you. Help me to fruitfully live as a child of God. Amen
Key Question… How different is your life now that you are controlled by the Spirit of God living in you?
Living It Out… Allow the Holy Spirit to help you to live a life controlled my Him rather than your sinful nature.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Holy Spirit will help you to put to death the deeds of your sinful nature.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Holy Spirit has helped you to put sinful deeds to death.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow your life to be controlled by the Holy Spirit who lives inside of you.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Promises – Day 317 – Romans 8-9-14 – Controlled By The Spirit – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide
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