What Do You Control?

Bosses.  Schedules.  Expectations.  Spouses.  Kids.  Culture.  These things and so many more seem to dictate to us many times what we are going to do, when we are going to do it, and who we will become as a result of it.  It might make you wonder, what do we really control? 

Paul says in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”  Then in Galatians 5:17 he says, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” 

Do you see the fight for control?  Our flesh is in conflict with the Spirit of God.  We are oftentimes are in conflict with ourselves.  We have aspirations of growing in our faith in Jesus but many times “life” seems to get in the way.  What can we do?

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).  Truth is, we are going to submit our control to someone or something.  “Self-Control” is only the personal decision to submit yourself in a certain way, but you do not have to be controlled by this world or sin or negative culture or unrealistic expectations.  You can control your submission to God’s Holy Spirit and his Holy Spirit can control your steps, decisions and attitudes.

Invite others to join us this month in worship and Community Groups as we continue to explore things that are stealing our control and how we can submit all of that to Holy Spirit.
In Him,
Pastor Tim.