Scriptural Foundation:
Romans 7:14-16 The Message (MSG)
I can anticipate the response that is coming: “I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.
Reflection:
In the past, money management was always been my kryptonite. Not that I was a poor steward, but because there never seemed to be enough resources to satisfy the need I saw around me. I use to spend countless hours over our budget each month, trying to fit it into Malachi 3:10:
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.
I was plagued by condemnation. As a former Catholic, tithing was never taught, but “catholic guilt” was something that I was very familiar with. When I started to walk out my sanctification, I realized that the Lord didn’t love me any less for my struggle in this area or others:
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. – Romans 8:1
The Spirit convicts, where as the devil condemns; convictions brings to our attention that something needs to change. With the help of the Holy Spirit all things come under the Blood of Jesus. The devil and his cohorts work overtime, trying to convince you and I that the struggles that we have are beyond resolve. This is a lie out of the pit of hell! There is nothing impossible for the Lord. Looking back, instead of going to the Lord and asking Him to direct my steps in this particular area, I tried to “fix” it myself. As a result, my spirit man was weakened each time I used my intellect as an alternative to the wisdom imparted to me through the meditation of the Word of God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Sin is a Believer’s kryptonite. The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Psalm28:7). If you have lost your joy in one or several areas in your life it is a good indication that you have picked up some kryptonite somewhere along your journey, but praise the Lord for His faithfulness!
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
If you feel discouraged today, take heart! Don’t be content staying under of weight of sin. Instead, course correct on a daily basis striving after our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. – Hebrews 12:1-3
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- What is your kryptonite? (What habit, situation, or person drains you of all your strength, spiritual and physically?)
- If you keep going through the same strife in an area of your life, ask the Lord if there is something you have to do? Remember Saints, the Lord has laid out His promises; the only way we will receive them is through acts of obedience and reverence.