Will Power Isn’t Enough

“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬ 

Why Power- “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬ 

Sin-It’s not for Him. It’s for you. 

“Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.”‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT

“I have the freedom to do anything, but not everything is helpful. I have the freedom to do anything, but I won’t be controlled by anything.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭CEB‬‬ 

Honesty-God doesn’t want to humiliate you. God wants to heal you. 

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭9-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Feelings-You have them. They don’t have to have you. 

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬ 1 

Pain-It’s an opportunity. 

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬