Who is Really Controlling You?

In growing into spiritual maturity, God will let you go through trials that will weed out the impurities left on your heart before you were saved.  (Matthew 15:13) “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.”  

Little by little you will grow closer and closer to God and as you grow, the fruit of the Spirit will grow, and you will die more and more to the flesh; this is God’s way of purifying you so your mind will agree with the change of heart by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.    In letting God purify you, you are also learning how to be led by the Spirit.  (Galatians 5:24-25) “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

 This is day-to-day dying to self.  (Luke 9:23) “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”  (Philippians 1:21) “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

 If you ever want to be used mightily in your daily life for God, you need to remember it is for His glory and not your own, and you must let the Holy Spirit lead you, not your mind, will, and emotions.  This is submitting to the Lordship of Christ.  Your flesh and mind may want something contrary to the Spirit, but it is your choice to obey it or God.  (I Corinthians 2:15) “The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.”

 You are doing God’s will, and it is for His purpose and glory, and He already knows the outcome; therefore, He already knows the process and steps He wants to take to achieve it.  The purification process is also known as sanctification.  (I Thessalonians 5:23) “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When you accept Jesus Christ, you must love, trust, and obey Him.  As you do this, God will lead and guide you and supply all your needs.  As you start to go through the “weeding out process,” it will not be easy; so you must stay close to the Lord in prayer and in reading the Word so you will draw from His strength.  He will help you walk according to the Spirit and not according to the world.  You can’t live according to the world and be a child of God.  (I John 2:15-16) “Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world-- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.”

  You cannot be a Christian and live according to the way God wants you to, a way pleasing to Him, and live according to the lusts and desires of the world.  (I Corinthians 10:21-22) “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s Table and the table of demons.  Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?  Are we stronger than He?” 

God tells us that when we receive Jesus Christ, we are to be holy.  Living a holy life keeps you from falling into temptations that will bring repercussions.  As long as you are a child of God, He will always be with you to help you and hold you up, and His Spirit in you will help you to lead the holy life He desires for you.  (Joshua 1:5) “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

When you go through a problem that you just can’t see a way through, remember that God has already been there ahead of you and will guide you, but you have to ask.  (Isaiah 43:1-3) “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

  The trials you go through are to mold you and help you grow as a Christian, but your Heavenly Father will always protect you.  (Psalm 23:4) “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”  The sooner you “let go and let God” mold you through trials and stop fighting to feed your own self-will, the sooner you will get through them.  But if you are constantly letting your anger get the best of you, then your flesh is still controlling you.  (James 1:19-21) “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you.”   

 When you are led by the Spirit, you will know how to be content and keep your peace. Peace is ours through Jesus Christ.  (John 16:33) “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  God gives wisdom to handle every situation, and you just need to ask and rely on Him.  (James 1:5) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”  You can overcome the trials of life and still be content and keep your peace.  Paul learned, and the hardships he went through were a lot harder than what we have today. 

(Philippians 4:11-13) “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

 Who is controlling you?  Are you led by the Spirit or by your flesh?  Your actions will tell on you.  Examine your ways and then take them to God; ask Him for the strength and wisdom to see what the root behind your anger really is and to help you overcome and be able to go forth in peace in all situations, and He will gladly supply! 

(James 4:2) “You do not have because you do not ask God.”