I believe that it is a human instinct to preserve ourselves. But it was this desire to preserve their own lives that motivated the disciples to deny that they knew Jesus in His darkest hour. I wonder in what ways we might be denying His indwelling Spirit as we fight to hold on to aspects of our old nature.
Dying to self is part of the process of sanctification. It can only happen through the power of the Holy Spirit. To do this, we first need to pinpoint those things in us that must die so that we can live in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5). How ironic that dying brings life!
I would like to share with you a list of some of the things that I need to die to:
- · Patterns of behaving and thinking that no longer serve the Christ-life in me
- · Responses and attitudes (like selfishness, jealousy, resentments) that keep me going around the same mountain over and over again
- · All things that keep me from living an abundant life (such as believing there is only a limited supply of love)
- · Self-imposed standards that wear me out (like thinking I should be doing more)
- · Beliefs about self which are not true; for example, “I’m not good enough”
- · Saying “yes” when I want to say “no”
- · To the ‘news anchor’ in my head that reports bad news all day long…about my performance or that of others
- · Attempting to gain the approval of people who drain me
- · Seeking to please by being nice, instead of real
- · Thinking I must stay in relationships with people who are harming me (or who are hurtful, critical, try to control, cheat or lie)
- · Ideals that cause stress and frustration when not achieved: such as thinking that other drivers should drive like me :-)
- · Continuing to do what I am used to doing- only because it’s familiar
- · Fostering constant noise and clutter that drowns my ability to hear God
My list could be longer, while yours may be much shorter. Whatever the length, saying “No” to our old nature requires a radical commitment to live the new life of the Spirit through Christ. It is the essence of the Christian life, where we take up our cross and follow Christ. It requires humility and courage. Most of all, it demands a surrender of our total heart and will to the Spirit’s leading.
Please pray with me:
Lord, forgive me for clutching onto parts of myself that keep me in perpetual unrest; please reshape me into the person that I am meant to be. Show me the parts of my flesh that prevent You from being revealed. Help me to make choices that will magnify You. I praise You that in denying myself and depending upon You, I gain genuine life. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Until next time, Blessings~ Deb