Obedient Christians Do This and It’s a Big Mistake

I don’t know if there’s anything harder than trying to act like a Christian in your own strength. That’s why religious people who are not regenerated by the Spirit of God struggle.

But we who believe also struggle when we face habits or emotions that control our lives by trying harder to do better. Trying harder to be obedient isn’t the answer.

You need to know this, or you’ll frustrate the grace of God (Gal. 2:20-21). You’ll frustrate yourself and those around you as well. We know this from personal experience, right? (All heads nod, yup)!

You are not commanded in Christ to “obey”, you’re called to yield.

In Romans 6-7, Paul argues that in his flesh (self-control, willpower, human effort), he can do no good thing. In ch. 8 and Galatians 5, he argues that the flesh and Spirit are at war and hate each other.

Trying harder and doing better isn’t the answer, in fact it’s a mistake. Yielding to God is the answer. Trying harder involves your flesh, yielding gives way to the Spirit of God.

Who’s stronger, you or God? Who’s more able to withstand temptation? Let God get out front.

The apostle Paul wrote that trying harder to do better was frustrating. After admitting he desired to do better but couldn’t and wouldn’t, he exclaims, ‘O wretched man that I am!’

Before conquering the flesh through His passion, Jesus Himself said as much (John 15:5)! Obedience says look what “I” did, yielding says look what God did, and gets the job done.

To truly obey God, we need to know that we have been placed into Christ’s death and can do only what a dead man can do - nothing.

But, we’ve also been placed into His life! Jesus now lives through you, so let Him.

Giving way to God (yielding) is the easier way. We must know this, consider it as good as done, and believe it by yielding to what God says and empowers. If you believe it, do it – no, yield!

So, what is controlling your thoughts, emotions, or actions? If it’s you instead of Christ, you’re making a mistake. You can’t do what’s right without the righteous life of Christ empowering it.

Here’s something you can do. Find out what God’s word says and give way to Jesus doing it through you. You’ll know when there’s less resistance and effort, and more victory.

Pick just one thing that you’re promising God you’ll do better or telling yourself to try harder. You probably already know what God says about it, so stop trying and give way to God.

Get out of Jesus’ way and He’ll do a better job of getting it done🙌.I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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