welcome and thanks for meditating with a vibe for more guided Christian meditations download
the abide app in the iTunes or Google Play Store do you ever feel overwhelmed by your sinfulness
and maybe even frustrated by your inability to do what's right well it may feel like a war that's
raging inside of you like you're being pulled between giving in to your selfish desires or
doing what you know God wants you to do and it does seem like even if we really want to please
God no matter how hard you try you usually end up doing what you don't want to do the Apostle
Paul felt the exact same way in Romans 7 verse 18 he felt stuck in a war because he couldn't
get his actions to line up with his true desires he wanted to do good and he wanted to follow God's
law but he continually did the opposite the Bible talks about our flesh our sinful self
the part of us that is drawn to sin and even though Paul truly wanted to do good his flesh
fought against doing what was right before Christ it's so much easier to make wrong choices because
in a sense were slaves to sin but once we begin a relationship with Christ he changes our heart
little by little he even changes our desires to line up with his so it becomes harder to sin in a
sense instead of being slaves to sin we are slaves to righteousness now so we do have freedom not to
sin without his strength were powerless though but with his strength we are so powerful Paul
recognized it wasn't him that was the problem it was his flesh his sinful nature Paul finished the
chapter with the realization that through Jesus Christ he's free from his sinful nature and he's
free to do what's right and it's the same for you as a child of God you're free - so can you
relate with Paul how does the realization of the freedom that Jesus provides help you throw off
that condemnation let's take a moment to thank our Father for the freedom that he gives us
through Jesus precious father I so badly want to do what's right but I fail so many times it feels
like there's a war going on inside of me and I need your help to overcome my flesh and it's
desires thank you for sending Jesus not just to forgive my sins but to set me free from my sinful
nature I don't want to just say I'm sorry and then repeat the same things over and over again
I want to say I'm through and then allow you to change my heart I receive your freedom now over
my flesh and I'll remember that because I'm in Christ I'm not condemned I'm free in Jesus name
Amen isn't it so comforting knowing that in Christ there is no condemnation but only love
and mercy you don't have to feel burdened by your mistakes because God gives you freedom over your
sinful nature before we explore these truths even further take some deep and centering breaths just
shut out anything else and focus on God's presence and goodness no matter what thoughts try to invade
your heart right now just allow yourself to become more aware of his closeness to you in this moment
you
take a few moments to consider your own life right now are you having a hard time
hearing from God lately you feel like your prayers aren't going through that usually
means there's something in our mind or soul or our spirit that needs to be dealt with so we
can enjoy his presence so if he's bringing something to your mind right now that you
need to confess why don't you release it to him receive his forgiveness and
peace simply rest in His mercy and grace allowing it to flow into your very being
you
now the center all of your attention on the goodness and faithfulness of God he is the author
and perfecter of your faith he's the freedom giver the victor the one who strengthened you
to live more devotedly for him and he delights to speak truth to you in this moment now focus
your mind and your heart as I read Romans 7:18 for I know that nothing good dwells in me that
is my flesh for I have the desire to do what is right but not the ability to carry it out
what caught your attention as you listen to that passage here let me read it again listen carefully
for I know that nothing good dwells in me that is in my flesh for I have the desire to do what is
right but not the ability to carry it out take a moment to reflect on a time in your life when your
flesh and your spirit or at war with each other was there ever a time you experienced victory
in that or perhaps you felt overwhelmed with defeat either way ask the Holy Spirit to help
you understand where that struggle is coming from and how you can stand firm and strong
you
do you ever feel like you don't quite measure up because you can't do the good that you want to
do maybe you get upset with yourself sometimes for continuing to struggle with the same things
you might be dealing with an addiction or a bad habit that you know does not please your father
you really want to do the right thing but you just can't seem to win the battle and change
your behavior you have the best intentions but you still fall short you won't freedom
from your flesh but on your own it's impossible remember that through Jesus you're released from
the law instead you operate from a position of grace empowered by God to do what you weren't
able to do before God's grace frees you to have victory over your flesh and to do what is right
pause now and consider what you're facing today how does God's grace enable you to
live according to his Spirit instead of your flesh what do you need to ask him for today
you
listen again as I read Romans 7 verse 18 I really like the way the passion translation says it for
I know that nothing good lives within the flesh of my fallen humanity the longings to do what is
right are within me but willpower is not enough to accomplish it did anything different stand out
to you this time take a few moments to meditate even more on this realization or newfound truth
you
willpower it's when you think you can try harder and then you'll be able to actually do the right
things but it's a constant battle between your flesh and your spirit at times does it
feel like your flesh is so strong that your captive to it and there's no escape take a
moment to think about a time recently when your willpower wasn't enough to help you make the
right decision and ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight to this difficult time in your life
you
now consider God's abundant grace it's no surprise to him that your flesh and
your spirit are at war this is where his grace comes in this is where his grace is sufficient
for you in your weakness he is stronger when your willpower isn't enough his strength is more than
enough rest in the strength of his grace now and linger awhile here and let his grace overtake you
you
listen once more as I read Romans 7:18 this time the contemporary English version I know that
my selfish desires won't let me do anything that is good even when I want to do right I
cannot clearly Paul felt powerless to control his actions he wanted to do the right thing but could
not can you understand where he's coming from why don't you stop for a moment and remember a
time when you felt powerless to do the right thing even though you desperately wanted to
you
Paul finally realized that even though he wasn't strong enough to free himself from
his sinful desires Jesus is strong enough in Romans 7:24 through 25 Paul cries out
in desperation wretched man that I am who will deliver me from this body of death
thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord meditate on the power of Jesus
over your sinful desires see him fighting selfishness anger unforgiveness and even
jealousy envision his strength enabling you to do what's right and to resist doing wrong
you
meditate on Romans 8:1 which says there is therefore now no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus rest in this place of no condemnation in Christ breathe
in his freedom and take some time to thank him for his ever-present grace
you
as we conclude think about an area in your life that you can invite
God's Spirit to give you extra grace today extra enablement so you can win
the war and do the right things that you know you want to do down deep envision
that battle is already won and allow his strength to permeate every part of you
you
now join me as we pray portions of romans 8 1 through 8 over our lives Lord I want to please
you and do what's right but I'm battle weary I know that because I belong to Christ the power
of the life-giving spirit has freed me from the power of sin and death would you help me
to walk according to your spirit and not my flesh I choose to set my mind on the things
of the Spirit so I'll experience life and peace thank you for your grace at work in
me empowering and enabling me to overcome my flesh it's in Jesus name I pray amen I really
hope you won't rush off into your day just yet take some time to journal your reflections and
your request to God just soak in His grace and let him hold you closely a little longer offer
your father some words of thanksgiving for his strength to overcome your flesh today
meditate on His goodness and patience toward you let his peace wash over you bringing you
renewed hope as you rest and abide in Christ we hope this meditation brought you peace
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