Scriptural Foundation:
John 6:67-69 New King James Version (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Galatians 5:17-26 New King James Version (NKJV)
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Reflection:
Do you know how often I think “I quit” in a given month . . . week. . . day. . . or even moment? The distractions and cares of this world attempt to suffocate our spirit man (Mark 4:19). This crushing feeling only intensifies when you are seeking the Lord and keeping yourself in the will of God. It is in these moments I pray for my pastors, church staff, and missionaries around the world. If I feel like this, I can’t even imagine what they go through daily.
Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either]. Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good (clear) conscience, that we want to walk uprightly and live a noble life, acting honorably and in complete honesty in all things. – Hebrews 13:17-18
It took me a long time to recognize the difference between relief and peace. Similar to condemnation and conviction the sources of these feelings come from very different places. Relief is a bi-product of condemnation, whereas peace is a bi-product of conviction. Relief comes from a self-reliant action, whereas peace comes from the Holy Spirit bearing witness with your spirit.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:25
Left unchallenged relief will sometimes feel like peace, but it is a counterfeit! Aligning your actions and decisions alone side the Word of God, it will become very apparent if you are feeling relief or peace. If, one immediately gets agitated as to what is in the Word or tries to take certain scriptures out of context to support the situation, more than likely it is relief – succumbing to the flesh.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. – Galatians 5:17-18
If, the Word confirms (all scriptures taken in full Bible context) the situation there is peace.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:7-9
It will take time to identify which is which when you get to the point of thinking “I quit”. That is the juncture where one has drifted away from the Lord, but praise God, He is faithful to throw us a life line every time (Beloved, keep in mind God is the One that provides life lines – you can’t, and I can’t provide a life line, only the Holy Spirit).
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” – Matthew 14:28-31
So, my question to you is this . . .If there is only one true life line, whose line are you reaching out for? The one that has relief at the end of it or peace?
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- Describe the situations where you have thought or said “I quit”.
- [Leave it alone and come back another day to look at the description]
- List the things that has brought to that place.
- [Again, leave it alone and come back another day to look at it]
- Seek the Holy Spirit for a “peace transfusion”. Like with a blood transfusion, you will have to change some past habits permanently, but if you do you are for certain to maintain that peace.
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. – 1 Corinthians 10:13