MORALITY AND SPIRITUALITY

The Tragedy of Goodwill without Power

"For the good that I would, I do not, but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law that when I would do good, evil is present with me.

"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man, but I see then another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members..." (Romans 7:19-23 KJV)

Goodwill is Not Enough

Have you found yourself in a mess you wish you had not got into? You beat yourself up when it dawns on you that you cannot discipline yourself enough to maintain your high moral standards.

Have you experienced this before? Always, you feel guilty because you could not bring yourself under absolute control. It's not new. The Apostle Paul also faced this. Good morals are powered by the Spirit of God. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, goodwill becomes futile.

'The Good That I Would, I Do Not'

In the text above, Paul confesses that he desires to do good, but somehow, 'the evil which he should not do, that he does!'

It is more than what it seems, or what we see. That is a demonic attack on the righteousness of God in man. In this case, the anointed apostle was not spared.

He confessed, 'If I do that which I should not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me'. When this happens, do not give in. Stand for the truth. Do not stop. Also, engage the Spirit. 🔥🔥

Flesh Versus Spirit

We are told in scriptures that the Spirit always contend against the flesh and the flesh against the Spirit. These two are never in agreement. They always confront themselves. This confrontation happens in us.

Paul said, 'But I see another law in member warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity...' (v.23) The flesh here means the totality of the devil's representative or influence at us. This exists in our thoughts and manifest in our words and actions.

Sadly, the flesh wins more than the Spirit does (in some cases) because sadly, most Christians are less attentive spiritually. And morality alone can't stand the influence of the flesh.

Walk in the Spirit 🔥🔥

The Apostle Paul testifies in the last verse of Chapter (7) and explains in chapter 8 how he overcame flesh: "There is now therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit ". (Romans 8:1)

In order to maintain your moral standards before the Lord, walk in the Spirit. This means constantly engage the power of the Holy Spirit in prayers. Christ already defeated sin and flesh.

Speak that victory! Claim that victory!Walk in the Spirit. May God help us, in Jesus name. Amen.

Morality is not enough. Be spiritual.

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