Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13 (NKJV)
Have old temptations reared their ugly head lately? Maybe you’ve noticed that negative attitudes or ways of thinking have attempted to creep back into your mind—things you thought that you dealt with years ago. Don’t be discouraged. The answer may be simpler than you think.
We all face temptations. If we give in, the effects can be devastating—both for us and for those we influence. Nine times out of ten, the precursor to giving in is the same: failing to stay filled with Holy Spirit. Long before someone has an affair, loses integrity or begins an addiction, they stop making the effort to move closer to Jesus every day.
Even if you have served God for 40 years, life will become hard if you stop receiving from Him. You need to continually spend time with Holy Spirit to keep your relationship fresh, or you will no longer benefit from that relationship.
Without Holy Spirit, you miss out on His power to keep you from sin. Romans 8:12-13 explains that it is by the power of Holy Spirit that you put to death behaviour that is prompted by selfish desires, not by willpower or behaviour modification alone!
If for some reason you have stopped spending time with Holy Spirit, rekindle the relationship. Get excited about the time you spend with God each day. Tap into the peace, clarity and power He gives you to overcome!