
There is power in purity...in living a holy sanctified life. But today, that is looked on as radical, extreme thinking because our churches and the people in them are so diluted with the world. I have been a carnal Christian and I know that the thought of living my life by God's Word seems impossible. I also know that living life as a carnal Christian is powerless. When we are being controlled by the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh or the pride of life we are disconnected from our true power source. If Satan can occupy our minds with our sin of choice, he can separate us from God. The whole time I was "out there", living life by my flesh--even though I was saved,loved God and served Him in all the areas I CHOSE to--I never heard His voice. He went silent... well, we know He didn't go silent. I just turned off my receiver! When I repented and sincerely began seeking Him for my life, I started hearing Him again... at an increased pace and sense of urgency! It seems that He is trying to catch me up!
I am reading "The Prophetic Promise of the Seventh Day" by Bruce D. Allen. Here is a quote from that book... "Remember the question we used to ask as new believers, 'can the devil read your mind?' In the realm of the spirit, when you walk in unbelief and disobedience; when you are outside of rest and habitually wallow in these things, a fragrance is released in the realm of the spirit. If you are in faith, it will be a sweet-smelling savor to the Lord. However, if we are open to sin, the fragrance is a repugnant stench that draws demons from miles around. It is like a magnet to them or like flies to a kill"
That quote confirms a dream God gave me recently about sexual sin. Sin--especially sexual sin (because it is not only a sin against God, but also a sin against the temple of the Holy Spirit) is death. The image God showed me was dead flesh inside, crawling with maggots. When we truly repent God removes that dead flesh and maggots and restores the living flesh. We can become whole and healthy again through Him.
Do you really want God's power working in your life? Get real with yourself... what is your "pet" sin--the one sin you just can't bear to kill. Is it a lust of the eye, a lust of the flesh or pride of life? That "pet" sin is so hard to kill...but what you get in its place is worth the cost!
I leave you with this scripture:
I John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Be blessed... Arlene