“…I want to do
what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“…Who
will free me
from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus
Christ our Lord (the WORD OF GOD)…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “…if the
Son (Jesus Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit)…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE
indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).
“... Knowing
this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we
should not serve sin...” (Romans 6:6 KJV).
“... I am
crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the
life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who
loved me, and gave himself for me...” (Galatians
2:20 KJV).
*
A person is NOT born
with a particular appetite, but an appetite is developed. Appetite GROWS and
CHANGES into particulars as one experiences the diversity of things, within the
world, that can be CONSUMED when one is HUNGRY (real or conditioned) for
“something.”
HUNGER can be a GOOD
thing and was God-given to HELP the SOUL properly care for the physical needs,
of the body of flesh, in a WHOLESOME and HEALTHY Way!
The FIVE SENSES were
given to help the SOUL engage, interact, and experience GOOD things to consume
that benefit them, especially spiritually.
The EVIL ONE perverted
HUNGER and USES it to KILL, STEAL, and DESTROY the SOUL so they will NOT
properly care for the physical needs, of the body of flesh, in a WHOLESOME or
HEALTHY way.
The FIVE SENSES are now
PERVERTED and WON’T help the SOUL engage, interact, or experience GOOD things
to consume, but SINFUL things that won’t benefit them, especially spiritually.
Information within the
heart, gleaned from the world under the
power of the EVIL ONE, is responsible for associating specific appetites
with a reward system that satisfies the body of flesh in many carnal ways.
Specific appetites
linked with a reward system that satisfies the body of flesh, most likely,
provides an calming effect. This calming effect reduces stress.
This calming effect that
reduces stress makes the body of flesh FEEL better. The memories associated
with specific appetites that have a reward system (like calming) becomes
desirable to repeat.
This desire, to repeat,
turns into a craving when a specific appetite is satisfied over and over again,
followed by a reward (like calming). Thus, the desire, now a craving, becomes a
POWERFUL behavior that gets OUT OF CONTROL.
Trying to stop the “out
of control” craving, through the body of flesh is like trusting in and
depending upon the very thing that developed the habit in the first place.
Only God can truly
DELIVER a person from entrenching habits or strongholds that have become established,
“out of control,” cravings.
Trying to replace “out
of control” cravings with something else in order to stop the habit depends on
how rewarding, calming, and desirable the alternative is.
Using substitutes, alternatives,
or modifications to stop “out of control” cravings associated with specific
rewards, like calming, is “STILL” reinforcing the habit, though on a much
smaller scale.
For the redeemed the
key is “NOT” simply to BREAK the habit, but to be "TOTALLY" DELIVERED from it.
The EVIL ONE puts into
the WORDLY environments many things that trigger, entice, manipulate, or reinforce
mankind’s cravings, and make it almost impossible for them to BREAK habits.
GOD puts into the HEART
the indwelling Holy Spirit that
DELIVERS the redeemed from the POWER of triggers, enticements, manipulations, or
reinforcements initiated by cravings and empowers them with FREEDOM from long
established habits.
The problem with trying
to BREAK habits are the demands and rules you place upon the body of flesh. The
body of flesh is a vessel created to engage, interact, and experience the
natural world through the FIVE SENSES. It does what it does. It doesn’t obey
God; it is NOW a sinful nature.
Trying to BREAK a
habit, by attempting to discipline your body of flesh alone or without the help
of the indwelling Holy Spirit will
ONLY make the “out of control” craving more DESPERATE. Eventually, you will end
up indulging in the established habit, AGAIN and AGAIN, and AGAIN...maybe even MORE.
Being DELIVERED from a
habit by trusting in and depending upon the FREEDOM through Jesus Christ, the POWERFUL indwelling Holy Spirit is the
ONLY way to STOP an “out of control” craving.
The sinful nature is
dead and crucified, but the old mindset is learned, informed, and conditioned
to respond to triggers, enticements, manipulations, and reinforcements that are
everywhere in the EVIL ONE’S carnal environments, which make it almost impossible
to break “out of control” and
established habits.
In addition, indulging
in, “out of control” cravings are easy, accessible, familiar, comfortable, and
satisfying. The EVIL ONE through one or more of your FIVE SENSES conditioned
your body of flesh to have an appetite for sinful pleasures that reward you,
calm you, and fulfill your desire until it becomes an “out of control” craving
and an established, unbreakable habit.
God does not come to
REPAIR, FIX, ALTER, or REPLACE “out of control” cravings that have become
established habits, he came to DELIVER and FREE you completely from them. He came to EMPOWER
the redeemed to walk and live in FREEDOM from “out of control” cravings and
their established, sinful habits.
Trying to put RULES and
REGULATIONS upon the body of flesh with “out of control” cravings and long
established habits is a recipe for failure. Ethical behavior is NOT spiritual
behavior. “…The ...[body of]...flesh profiteth nothing…”
(John 6:63 KJV). “…Human effort (through the body of flesh) accomplishes nothing….”
(John 6:63 NLT). “…If I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor (body of flesh effort only), and if I give my body to be
burned (body of flesh effort only), but have not
love (God is LOVE and the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT), IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING…” (1
Corinthians 13:2-3 ASV)."… if the
salt has become tasteless … It is no longer good for anything, except to be
thrown out…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
“…The sinful
nature is always hostile
to God . …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “..[The sinful nature]... never
did obey God’s laws, and it
never will.…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “...those
who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).
Many go on diets from
their “out of control” cravings and some are successful as long as they stick
to the rules and regulations. It is always a struggle.
On the other hand, some
choose to have faith in God, the Holy
Spirit to DELIVER them from their cravings and have overwhelming victory as long as they continually trust in and
depend upon his POWERFUL indwelling Holy Spirit
to EMPOWER them to WALK in FREEDOM. “...In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world...” (John 16:33 KJV). “... Here on earth you
will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT). “...Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27 KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation
[to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22
KJV). “...despite all these things, overwhelming
victory is ours through Christ, who loved us...”
(Romans 8:37 NLT).
Following rules and
regulations to STOP “out of control” cravings and being DELIVERED from “out of
control” cravings may MIRROR one another, but the DIFFERENCE is the HOLY SPIRIT
EMPOWERS deliverance and HELPS the redeemed to WALK in FREEDOM. “... [God’s] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…” (1 Corinthians
12:4-11 NLT).
Following rules and
regulations is often LIKE trying to FIX “out of control” cravings and
established habits, with the body of flesh. Whereas DELIVERANCE “IS” TOTAL FREEDOM from “out of control”
cravings and established habits through the indwelling Holy Spirit. There are no rules and regulations, there is
only belief and unbelief or trusting and depending upon God or NOT. “... You
have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep
on following the rules of the
world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such
rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These
rules may seem wise because they
require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT).
“…Trust in (DEPEND
UPON) the Lord with all thine
heart; and lean not unto
(DON’T DEPEND UPON) thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that
which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “… The
Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “…You
are my helper and my savior…”
(Psalms 40:17 NLT). “…The steps (OF DELIVERANCE) of a good man
(woman) are ordered (DIRECTED) by the Lord: …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV). “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
When the redeemed are
DELIVERED from “out of control” cravings and established habits the problem is
NOT the body of flesh and its dictates anymore, but the struggle is “IN” the
MIND. “...Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and
desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them
there...” (Galatians 5:24
NLT). “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through the WORD of God)….”
(Romans 12:2 KJV).
Being DELIVERED and
FREED from SIN requires exposure to the TRUTH. It is the TRUTH that sets you
FREE. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus
Christ our Lord (the WORD OF GOD)…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). Jesus had another
name. “…
His name is called The
Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB).
“… the Son (Jesus Christ, the indwelling Holy
Spirit. the Word of God)…shall make you FREE...” (John 8:36 KJV).
The EVIL ONE
conditioned, your body of flesh and its FIVE SENSES, to CRAVE sinful pleasures
and some of those pleasures have gotten “out of control.”
Thus, just because
Jesus Christ has SET you FREE and DELIVERED you from the sinful nature doesn’t
automatically STOP your “out of control” cravings and established habits.
The “out of control”
cravings and established habits don’t just disappear. What should you do?
1. Don’t follow rules
and regulations, but have faith in your DELIVERANCE from the passions and affections of the sinful
nature which is now dead and crucified. “...why do you keep on following
the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle!
Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? ...Such rules are mere human
teachings.... These
rules may seem wise ..But they provide no help in conquering a
person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT). “...Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his
cross and crucified them there...” (Galatians 5:24 NLT). “..they that are Christ's have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts...”
(Galatians 5:24 KJV).
2. The “out
of control” cravings and established habits NO LONGER have any POWER over you. “…you are not (no longer) controlled by your sinful nature. …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “...you have no obligation (anymore) to do what your sinful nature urges you to do…” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “... ye ...[are]... FREE
indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).
3. Trust in and depend
upon God’s WORD in order to WALK in your FREEDOM and DELIVERANCE from “out of
control” cravings and established habits. He
will “…strengthened ... [you] … with
might by his Spirit in the
inner man…”
(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “… [He will
strengthen you]…according to the POWER
that worketh IN [YOU]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “...Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist
the devil, AND
he WILL flee from you...” (James 4:7 KJV). “...RESIST
him (the evil one),
standing firm in the faith ( in your trust in and dependency upon God)...”
(1 Peter 5:9 NIV). “...do not give the devil an opportunity...”
(Ephesians 4:27 NASB).
4. God, the indwelling Holy Spirit is “IN” you. “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “….the Spirit of God dwelleth
in you...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19
KJV). “…God hath said, I will dwell in them...” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV).
5. Not only is the indwelling Holy Spirit “IN” you; he
will HELP you. “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him…”
(Psalms 37:40 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT). “…You are my helper and my savior…”
(Psalms 40:17 NLT). “…[God is]…Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge; Your
shield and
the horn of Your salvation, YOUR
stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
6. Have faith that you
are ALREADY DELIVERED, but allow the
indwelling Holy Spirit to empower you to walk in DELIVERANCE through the process
of sanctification.“…Christ
….loved the church, and GAVE
himself for it;
That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE it, with the washing of water by the word...”
(Ephesians 5:25-25 KJV). “…
The God of peace Himself SANCTIFY you
ENTIRELY…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “...God has chosen you from the beginning for SALVATION through SANCTIFICATION
by the
Spirit and faith in the truth…” (2
Thessalonians 2:13 NASB “….ye
are SANCTIFIED
…in the name of the Lord Jesus (the
Word), and by the SPIRIT
of our GOD…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV).
7.
Sanctification and becoming transformed (from “out of control” cravings and
established habits) comes through renewing YOUR MIND with the Word of God. “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….”
(Romans 12:2 KJV).“…be conformed to the image of his Son…”
(ROMANS 8:29 KJV).“… [Therefore, the
redeemed]… are changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to
glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV). “…until we …become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14 NIV).
8. Your DELIVERANCE may
MIRROR those who are following rules and regulations, but remember the
difference is JESUS CHRIST is doing the work of empowering you with strength,
through the POWER of the indwelling Holy
Spirit, to walk in “that” deliverance. “…It is …God [the indwelling Holy Spirit] ... who does the work
(of deliverance) IN and THROUGH all of us who are his… (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The [indwelling]...HOLY
SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH [you] … (1 Corinthians
12:4-11 NLT). “... For it is God who worketh in you, both to
will (to desire to be delivered) and to do (to actually walk in deliverance) of
His good pleasure”
(Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians
4:13 KJV). “… the God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip
you with everything good for doing his will,
and may he work in [you, through the indwelling Holy Spirit]… what is
pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
9. When the redeemed
fail and fall back into “out of control” cravings and long established habits
they have stopped trusting and depending upon the POWERFUL indwelling Holy Spirit. Most likely, they have started
depending upon the rules and regulations of those who are simply MIRRORING
their deliverance, but are not actually being empowered by it! “...when
the wheat spouted and formed heads, then the weeds appeared...Where ... did the
weeds come from? .... Do you want us to go and pull them up?...NO... “...Let
both grow together until
the harvest...” (Matthew 13:30 KJV). “...allow both to grow together until the harvest...”
(Matthew 13:30 NASB).“…GROW to maturity…” (2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT). “…until Christ be formed in you…”
(Galatians 4:19 KJV). “…Ye shall know [the delivered]…
by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…He(she) who ABIDES in Me and I in him (her), he(she) bears much
fruit … ” (John
15:1-11 NASB). "…My
Father is glorified by this, that...[HIS PEOPLE]... bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My
disciples (MY DELIVERED people)...” (John 15:8 NIV).
10. BE CAREFUL of the
TRICKS of the EVIL ONE! “…The
sinful nature wants to do evil,
which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants ... …
…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “...do not give the devil an opportunity...” (Ephesians 4:27 NASB).
“...Resist the devil, AND
he WILL flee from you...” (James 4:7 KJV). “...RESIST
him (the evil one)...”
(1 Peter 5:9 NIV).
FOLLOWING RULES AND REGULATIONS,
THROUGH SELF-EFFORT IS NOT DELIVERANCE FROM THE BODY OF FLESH (SINFUL NATURE) or ITS CRAVINGS, AND HABITS. “...why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle!
Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? ...Such rules are mere human
teachings.... These
rules may seem wise ..But they provide no help in conquering a
person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT). “...Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his
cross and crucified them there...” (Galatians 5:24 NLT). “..they that are Christ's have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts...”
(Galatians 5:24 KJV).
again, rULES AND REGULATIONS, THROUGH SELF-EFFORT IS
NOT DELIVERANCE FROM THE BODY OF FLESH (SINFUL NATURE) or ITS CRAVINGS, AND
HABITS. “...why do you keep on following
the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle!
Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? ...Such rules are mere human
teachings.... These
rules may seem wise ..But they
provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT).
However, trust in and dependency
upon god’s deliverance through the powerful indwelling holy spirit makes you
“free” from the body of flesh (sinful nature) and its cravings, and habits.
“…The sinful
nature wants to do evil,
which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants ... …
…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
“…Can an Ethiopian change his skin
or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who
are accustomed to doing evil…” (Jeremiah 13:23 NIV). “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
The
body of flesh has too many “out of control” cravings, sinful appetites, and
forbidden desires.“...The trouble is with
me, for I am all too
human, a slave to sin (through the body of flesh
( sin nature))…”
(Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The
answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
The body of flesh (sinful nature)
cannot and will not follow rules and regulations. “…The sinful
nature
is always hostile to God …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “...[The SINFUL NATURE]... never did obey
God’s (HOLY) laws,
and it never will…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…The
sinful nature wants to do evil,
which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants ...so
you are not free to carry out your good intentions. …
…” (Galatians 5 NLT).
Therefore, following rules and
regulations, through the effort of the body of flesh, won’t deliver you from
its “out of control” cravings, wrong appetites, sinful desires, and perverted
hunger. “...These rules may seem
wise ..But they
provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT). “...so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
There is only “one way” and
that’s through the deliverance of jesus Christ.
“...
[God, the Holy Spirit] ...has sent me (Jesus) to proclaim that captives will be released...” (Luke 4:18 NLT). “…Who
will free me from this life that is dominated by [out of
control cravings, wrong appetites, sinful desires, etc.)? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The
answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
He came to set you totally “FREE”
from the body of flesh (sinful nature) and its cravings, wrong appetites,
sinful desires, and perverted hungers.
“…The [invisible
Holy] ...Spirit … anointed
[empowered JESUS] to preach the gospel to the
poor ... [empowered him] to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives …”
(John 4:16-21 KJV). “... to proclaim that captives will be released...” (Luke 4:18 NLT).
“…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him…”
(Psalms 37:40 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT). “…You are my helper and my savior…”
(Psalms 40:17 NLT).
“…[God is]…
Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge…"
(Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“…[God is]…Your
shield and
the horn of Your salvation, YOUR
stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“…[God is]…Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer…"
(Psalms 18:3 NASB).
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