In the battle that rages in most believers between the law of the mind and the law of sin the Holy Spirit wants to play a significant role. Until our death or the second coming of Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit is ready to empower you to live victoriously. Romans 8:12-13 instructs us; “we have an obligation…by the Spirit (to) put to death the misdeeds of the body.”
Remember in Romans 6:11 we’re encouraged to count ourselves dead to sin. Here in Romans 8 we’re encouraged to rely on the Holy Spirit to put to death our former sinful behavior. How does this work?
What Paul says is built on Romans 6:12-13: “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.” Resist the reign of sin by not offering any part of your being to sin. Rather, offer yourselves to God and every part of your being to Him for His use.
As a believer the Holy Spirit is in you. Ask Him to seal your commitment to God and convict you if tempted to return to old patterns of behavior. Also, to encourage and empower you to do what is Christ-like.
If you do this you will experience an abundant, victorious life. Your heart and every member of your body must be fully yielded to the Holy Spirit’s control. Are they? If not, why?
