I am taking a course through my church on how to survive as a Christian and this past week was about our old nature vs. our new natures. As Christians, we will constantly be struggling not to go back to our old nature which ultimately is sin. It is through the Hold Spirit and our obedience to God that we can overcome our sinful nature. As we allow Christ to control our live his Spirit fills us up and we start to produce fruits that are of God.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such thing there is no law. “

This week’s passage really spoke to me because right now I am constantly fighting not to turn back to my former ways of living. I am struggling not to fall back into temptations. One of them is that when I feel really stressed I tend not to allow time to do my devotions or prayers. But this week I am making sure that does not happen because that is usually when I need him the most. I need his strength to help me get through the week, and I need his calming assurance that no matter what happens that I did my best.

The other thing that spoke to me was the fact that the reading talked about how in order to live holy we can’t just “let go and let God.” We as Christians have to put forth the effort and it also takes our obedience in order to carry out a Holy life. I believe that is why I like my hometown church, because the pastor constantly challenges us to live a life pleasing to God. He challenges us to take our faith seriously and not to have a stale Christian life. But to really live out God’s words day to day. And I know with time it will get easier. It is like Eunice said it takes just small steps to overcome big problems.

Galatians 5:24-25

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Sprit.