Treasures in Jars of Clay

The Bible says,

“Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV).

It also says,

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

We are in a battle that has eternal significance. On the surface, it may seem like a personal struggle with some mental or physical area of weakness. That’s what Satan would love for you to think. This is your problem, your weakness, your failure. And it’s bigger than you are. How he loves to see us defeated in these areas of our lives.

For years, I tried to battle these areas of temptation in my life by drumming up willpower, gritting my teeth, and digging in my heels. Once in a while, I’d have a victory, but more often than not I’d end up on my face, riddled with guilt before the Lord. Have you ever seen a cat toy with a mouse before finishing it off? The cat will sometimes sit in condescending amusement watching its prey struggling to escape. That’s how I felt Satan toyed with me as I struggled to overcome. Then I’d fail and think to myself, "How can I be so weak? I know the Lord; I love the Lord; I know what is right, and I want to change. What’s wrong with me?"

If you are in such a struggle about anything, begin reading at verse 7 in chapter 7 of the book of Romans. As you read on into chapter 8 of Romans, you’ll come to an incredible solution:

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Sprit” (Romans 8:5).

How do we live in accordance with the Spirit?

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15).

The word Abba actually translates to “Daddy.”

This, dear friends, is the key to overcoming. When you are in the throes of temptation, run to the Father! Get into His presence and tap into His power. The Bible tells us that in our weakness God is strong. His presence puts our problems in perspective and floods us with a sense of protection, peace, and power.

If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve been defeated and are filled with guilt, remember,

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

Don’t let the enemy rub your face in the dirt. God’s forgiveness is always extended to us. The Bible says that nothing can separate us from the love of God. When you are in trouble, run to the heart of the Father.

Abba, Father! Help me! The storm is threatening to overwhelm me, and I am weak. I confess my sins and I ask for Your forgiveness. Fill me with Your Spirit and teach me Your ways. Give me the mind of Christ and a vision for who I am in You. I stand on Your Word, which says that “We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.” I rest in You, my Father.

Excerpted with permission from Near to the Heart of God, by Terry Meeuwsen © 1998.

~

Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.