Journey into Lightl

How do we stop lying, being angry and bitter, and putting people down? How do we stop grieving the Holy Spirit and stealing?

Last time we talked about how important it was to stop doing these bad things – but how?

One way we can stop doing these things is by trying harder. But that doesn’t work because stopping these things requires that our heart changes and only God can do that (John 15:5).

Another way is to increase our Bible knowledge, and by knowing more our faith will increase and then we will have greater power to stop. But that doesn’t work unless the knowledge is trusted and applied (James 1:22).

So, what works?

Getting rid of our old sinful ways begins with the recognition that we have old, sinful ways. Some of them are obvious such as stealing, lying, or putting people down. But grieving the Holy Spirit, making food an idol, or seeking to make a good impression to feel important may not be so obvious.

So, we ask God to “search our heart, try us and know our anxious thoughts, and see if there is any hurtful way in us, and lead us in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24, paraphrased).

He will reveal what needs to be put off and will enable us to replace it with his way. For example, a few years ago he wanted me to stop relying on a particular person’s opinion of me to determine what I thought of myself. He wanted me to replace it with what he thought of me, which was that I was precious, honored and deeply loved (Isaiah 43:4).

We need to keep in mind that the stopping is his job. We are slaves to our old ways and only supernatural power will bring true change to our hearts. He wants us to partner with him in putting off the old (Matthew 11:28). He provides the muscle and we provide the cooperation. “If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13, NIV).

So, how do we stop living the old, sinful ways? Let’s apply the information above.

• Ask God what one thing that he wants you to be working with him to put off

• Ask Him what he wants you to put on in it’s place

• Then ask him to help you to put it off and to show you what he wants you to do to cooperate