“Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.
Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature (human nature) craves.” Galatians 5:17
“Let”… that word is a powerful one in this scripture.
God is good.
He has good plans for us.
His ways are good.
Wanting God’s good things in our life is different than “letting” him lead us in His good things.
It takes surrender, laying down our will for his. This is a daily process and some days I do better at this than others. On the days that I really struggle with my human nature I am particularly thankful for His forgiveness and grace!
“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the (Holy) Spirit wants.
And the (Holy) Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.
These two forces are constantly fighting each other,
so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” Galatians 5:17
Our human way of figuring out life often leads us down paths that God never intended for us. We all like to do things “our way”, the problem is that “our way” isn’t always God’s way. In fact, as humbling as it is, we need to admit it - “Our way” is sinful and it gives us desires that are the exact opposite to God’s desires for us.
The Bible calls them forces within us -
The Holy Spirit of God wanting to lead us in the good life that God has for us
vs.
Our way (sinful human nature) pulling us to make a completely different choice.
And so, the battle rages within us… The Holy Spirit vs. our sin nature.
Right in the middle of the battle is our will.
Our choice… We have been given the power from God to choose which of these forces within us will lead our life.
When we choose our way, the Bible says that we “are not free to carry out your good intentions.”
Have you ever had “good intentions” and because of your choices you weren’t able to them carry out?
Oh my! I have!
Interestingly, when I surrender my will for God’s I find power and strength to actually do the good that I intended to.
God is good.
He has good plans for us.
His ways are good.
He is waiting so very patiently everyday with His amazing grace and mercy to empower us to live the “good” life He has for us.
The choice is ours.
Our way… or His?
Linked to Faith Filled Friday
Hi Danise,
I couldn’t agree with your post more! Laying down my will for His is hard. I want to be “doing something,” not waiting around. But waiting on God and His timing isn’t “doing nothing” and I have to keep reminding myself of that. Letting God lead instead of trying to control everything and figure it all out also leads me to accept the peace He gives (vs. the stress I create).
Enjoyed your post! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.
Blessings,
Laura
Trusting God always seems to be the answer, its just the letting go…thank you so much for stopping by! Blessings
Wow! Danise, I think you’ve just summed up the gospel message in a single word, “Let!”
You are so right! There is a big difference between wanting and letting. There is a big difference between trying and trusting.
Thanks for sharing!
Being willing is the key, it would be so much easier to do without the sin nature!!
Thank you for stopping by!
Danise! Were you with my friend and me this morning walking on the beach?! We were talking about this same struggle! I absolutely love what you said about how “Wanting God’s good things in our life is different than “letting” him lead us in His good things.” You are so right! Thank you for your powerful words and for sharing them on NOBH! I will be sharing this with my walking friend.
Love and God Bless,
Christy