We have soldiers, bombs, policemen, and lawyers to deal with conflicts and disputes. We spend a fortune on our symptoms but avoid dealing with the causes, that is, our inner cravings making war within our members. Only the "Holy Spirit, Who is within" (1 Cor 6:19), can deal with the war within.
"The flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; the two are directly opposed" (Gal 5:17). "My point is that you should live in accord with the Spirit and you will not yield to the cravings of the flesh" (Gal 5:16). "If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the evil deeds of the body, you will live" (Rm 8:13).
The Spirit will convict us of sin, justice, and condemnation (Jn 16:8). He will take us to the cross and show us the connection between our sins and Jesus' suffering and death. After that, we will never be the same. We will be crucified to the world and the world to us (Gal 6:14). We will no longer make provision for the inner cravings of the flesh. We will put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rm 13:14). We will have victory inside and victory outside. The war will be won in the power of the Spirit.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, You won the war on Calvary. May I claim Your victory by the power of the Spirit. May I be more than a conqueror (Rm 8:37). |
| PROMISE: | "Cast your care upon the Lord, and He will support you." –Ps 55:23 |
| PRAISE: | Jane prayed for the grace to stop smoking. She experienced an immediate outpouring of the Holy Spirit and has not smoked since. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College