"To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."
~Ephesians 4:22-24
If you are a born-again believer, according to Acts 2:38, the greatest obstacle you'll ever have to overcome is yourself—your old nature. That's because two natures battle on the inside of every apostolic believer; the spiritual nature and the carnal one.
In Carl Sandberg's words, "There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud." This inner struggle is relatable to many of us. In my personal experience, there are days when I am in the flow of the Spirit and other days when I can barely continue.
When in the flow of the Spirit, it's easy to believe in our capacity to accomplish God's purpose entirely. However, the real challenge arises when we encounter obstacles along the road, and our old nature attacks us by opposing everything that pleases God. In these challenging moments, we must stay strong in the Spirit through prayer and keep moving forward, trusting in God's promises despite the present discouragement. As Albert Schweitzer reiterated, "One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles through prayer and fasting possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity."
Mountaineer explorers Sir Edmund Hillary once said, "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." This quote reminds us that true success lies in overcoming our inner obstacles. If we believe that success comes without opposition, then we have a misguided perspective on what it takes to succeed. The path to success is laden with obstacles, but we can overcome them through perseverance and unwavering faith. I encourage you to embrace life's journey, whatever comes your way, and to keep believing; with the power of the Holy Ghost, you will grow stronger, enabling you to succeed.
What areas of your old nature are you currently struggling to overcome? Get specific about it and discipline your old nature through the crucifixion of your old self. The more intentional we are about taming old nature, the better off we will be in the long run.
Have a blessed week,
Pastor (Rev Elias Limones)
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