Category: Sinful Nature

Does He Have You?

“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.” Romans 8:12 (NIV) Think back to the moment of your conversion. Where were you and how did you come to know Jesus personally? In that moment, a divine transaction took place that changed your forever. In that moment you received the Holy Spirit and you received ALL of Him. Yes! He is in you! Since the moment of your conversion, you have been on a journey of growing as a follower of Jesus Christ. You have been in the process of giving Him ALL of you. In other words, you ALWAYS have ALL of Him, but He may not ALWAYS have ALL of you. So the question is, “Does He have you?” One hallmark of His habitation is decisive action. If you are fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit living inside of you, then you will take decisive action when it comes to the cravings of the sinful nature. In Christ, you are no longer obligated to be loyal to the sinful nature. Surrendered to the Spirit’s control, you choose to not live according to the sinful nature. When a believer starts living according to the sinful nature it immediately produces spiritual death. You cannot be married to Christ and court the cravings of the sinful nature without experiencing spiritual death. You don’t lose your salvation, but you fracture your faith, fetter your fruit, and forfeit your fellowship with God. Your intimacy with the Lord will be devastatingly diminished if you succumb to the desires of the flesh. How do you know when the Holy Spirit has you? He has you when you deliberately choose to NOT live according to the sinful nature. Take decisive action! As Dr. Adrian Rogers said, “Don’t give the devil a club to hit you with.” Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Holy Spirit Sinful Nature Victory

Superbowl Strategy

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” Gal 5:16-17 (NIV) The Superbowl is an exciting time for many people. Two teams have navigated the terrain of intense opposition and obstacles to attain such an envied opportunity to feature their talents on the world stage of competition. Competition is normal in the life of the child of God. There is a perpetual battle in the life of every believer that demands focus and attention. The playing field features two teams, namely, good and evil. Incessant confrontation exists between light and darkness, Spirit and flesh, and God and the devil. Every child of God has to choose to operate in the light, walk in the Spirit, and obey God’s Word. The competing forces of evil seek to keep every believer from moving the football of faith down the field to the end zone of victory. How will you respond to the desires of the sinful nature which are in direct opposition to the Spirit living in you? What will you do with the conflict within? Choose to live by the Spirit and you will not gratify nor satisfy the cravings of the sinful nature. Learn to live in victory over sin by walking in the Spirit. Give the Holy Spirit complete control of your life and your longings. Yield to His leadership. You are a trophy of God’s grace. Jesus has already declared your victory over sin, death, and hell. You play for the winning team! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Pleasing God Romans Sinful Nature

Distinct Impossibility

“Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.” Rom 8:8 (NIV) Pleasing the Creator of the universe seems impossible. God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. God is holy, perfect, immutable, and eternal. God is infinite. How can finite man please God? The vital ingredient to pleasing God is living according to the Spirit by faith. This type of faith is the conviction that God is who He says He is. To live a life pleasing to God, you must operate in faith. The focus of your life becomes God’s agenda. You demonstrate belief in God’s existence by fearing Him and revering Him through a lifestyle of obedience. Choose to come to God knowing that He desires intimacy with you. As a child of God, you have the distinct privilege of knowing that God rewards you as you seek Him earnestly. God rewards you with abiding peace, continual fellowship, and eternal hope. Is your life pleasing to God? Is faith operative in your conversation and your conduct? Portray your conviction about the truth of God’s nature and character. God has pursued you with His love. Respond to God’s pursuit by living a life of faith that brings pleasure to Him. Determine to please God through behavior that is consistent with His Word. Ask God to reveal those areas of your life that are out of alignment with His purpose and plan. As God brings those specific areas to your attention, choose to repent and go in a new direction. Remove those things in your life that rob your love relationship with God. Don’t be controlled by the sinful nature. Choose to live a life pleasing to God by submitting to the Spirit’s control. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Holy Spirit Romans Sinful Nature

Does He Have You?

“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.” Romans 8:12 (NIV) Think back to the moment of your conversion. Where were you and how did you come to know Jesus personally? In that moment, a divine transaction took place that changed your forever. In that moment you received the Holy Spirit and you received ALL of Him. Yes! He is in you! Since the moment of your conversion, you have been on a journey of growing as a follower of Jesus Christ. You have been in the process of giving Him ALL of you. In other words, you ALWAYS have ALL of Him, but He may not ALWAYS have ALL of you. So the question is, “Does He have you?” One hallmark of His habitation is decisive action. If you are fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit living inside of you, then you will take decisive action when it comes to the cravings of the sinful nature. In Christ, you are no longer obligated to be loyal to the sinful nature. Surrendered to the Spirit’s control, you choose to not live according to the sinful nature. When a believer starts living according to the sinful nature it immediately produces spiritual death. You cannot be married to Christ and court the cravings of the sinful nature without experiencing spiritual death. You don’t lose your salvation, but you fracture your faith, fetter your fruit, and forfeit your fellowship with God. Your intimacy with the Lord will be devastatingly diminished if you succumb to the desires of the flesh. How do you know when the Holy Spirit has you? He has you when you deliberately choose to NOT live according to the sinful nature. Take decisive action! As Dr. Adrian Rogers used to say, “Don’t give the devil a club to hit you with.” Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Holy Spirit Sinful Nature Victory

Superbowl Strategy

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” Gal 5:16-17 (NIV) Tonight the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers will compete for the Vince Lombardi trophy in Superbowl XLV. These two teams have navigated the terrain of intense opposition and obstacles to attain such an envied opportunity to feature their talents on the world stage of competition. Competition is normal in the life of the child of God. There is a perpetual battle in the life of every believer that demands focus and attention. The playing field features two teams, namely, good and evil. Incessant confrontation exists between light and darkness, Spirit and flesh, and God and the devil. Every child of God has to choose to operate in the light, walk in the Spirit, and obey God’s Word. The competing forces of evil seek to keep every believer from moving the football of faith down the field to the end zone of victory. How will you respond to the desires of the sinful nature which are in direct opposition to the Spirit living in you? What will you do with the conflict within? Choose to live by the Spirit and you will not gratify nor satisfy the cravings of the sinful nature. Learn to live in victory over sin by walking in the Spirit. Give the Holy Spirit complete control of your life and your longings. Yield to His leadership. You are a trophy of God’s grace. Jesus has already declared your victory over sin, death, and hell. You play for the winning team! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Pleasing God Romans Sinful Nature