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The Battle Within and Without

The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should.  Galatians 5:17 CEV

The attack came out of nowhere, and the battle began. My flesh came up with its own ideas, but God had another plan.

In Jesus Calling, Sarah Young writes, “Through collaborating with me in all things, you allow my life to merge with yours. This is the secret of not only joyful living but also victorious living.” ~Jesus

As Christians, we know we’re engaged in spiritual warfare. We’re given instructions on how to put on God’s armor and stand strong against the Enemy. Those weapons are powerful for the battle without.

But there’s another battle that rages within between the flesh and the Spirit, which are enemies. The NLT says it this way:

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the 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.

It's the carnal nature we’re born with that gives us so much trouble. The Passion translation calls it the “self-life”—a life that only pleases self.

But God calls us to a higher place. A place where we yield to His Spirit. The Spirit who lives in us. Who causes us to be spiritually minded instead of earthly minded. If we’re guided by the Spirit, we won’t obey those selfish, sinful desires. Our focus changes from the self-life to the God-life. It transforms our thoughts, words, and actions. It prepares the way for the fruit of the Spirit to grow.

God has made a way for us to win the battle within and without. He calls us overcomers.

Are you ready to fight the battle?

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

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Andrea Merrell

Andrea Merrell is an award-winning author and professional freelance editor. She is an associate editor with Christian Devotions Ministries and was a finalist for the 2016 Editor of the Year Award at BRMCWC and the 2018 Excellence in Editing award by the Christian Editors Network. Andrea is a graduate of Christian Communicators and was a finalist in the 2015 USA Best Book Awards and the 2018 Selah Awards, as well as a semi-finalist in the 2018 ACFW Genesis contest. She has been published in numerous anthologies and online venues, teaches workshops on writing and editing, and is the co-founder and regular contributor to www.TheWriteEditing.com, a blog designed specifically for writers. Andrea is the author of Murder of a Manuscript, Praying for the Prodigal, and Marriage: Make It or Break It. Contact her at www.AndreaMerrell.com.