On Becoming Less...

John 3:30 (New Living Translation) "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."
Ever since I read this verse a month or so ago, it has been stuck in my head. I've been thinking a lot lately about how selfish and prideful I am. [Is it selfish to be thinking about how selfish I am?]
What are other people going to think about me? What do other people say about me? About my family? What am I going to do today? How am I going to meet my needs? And how are my needs going to be met by others? How can I make my life more comfortable for me?

In my Tuesday morning ladies' Bible study, we're studying Spiritual Warfare: The Battle for God's Glory, a book by Jerry Rankin. This week's chapter is entitled "The Battle Between the Flesh and the Spirit." How appropriate.

"Any attitude that causes us to think that life is about me, my rights, my entitlement, my comforts, and standing up for self is the nature of the flesh."

Though I still struggle with this flesh, this sinful nature, these selfish and prideful tendencies, I am so thankful that ultimately my old sin nature has been crucified- nailed to the cross!- and I am no longer enslaved to it. I have freedom in Christ. And this is not freedom to do whatever I want, it's freedom from my old nature. Freedom to please the Lord.

As Paul talks about the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit in Romans 7, it sticks out to me that in my own strength, my sinful flesh will always prevail. I am nothing good in and of myself. Satan, and my flesh, wants me to get the recognition and praise...to have my needs and desires gratified. And when that happens, God cannot receive the glory in my life.
I'm reminded once again that the victory over sin and flesh has already been won by Christ.
Am I choosing to live in that victory so that God can receive all the glory and praise? Satan only has the power in my life if I allow him to.
When I put my faith and trust in Christ for salvation, He gave me the gift of the Holy Spirit. And now I must let Him have the control.

Galatians 5:16 (New Living Translation) "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves."

It's a daily struggle... It's not an easy feat... Thankful that Christ gives me the strength I need and I have victory in Jesus.