“God’s Spirit continually reveals to His children what human nature is like apart from His grace.”
Oswald Chambers
There are times in my life I can totally relate to the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 7:15: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” That Scripture came to mind a few months ago after I repented from a sin.
And then Holy Spirit, whispered these sweet words, which gave me comfort and encouragement. I love you Norma and I trust you. Your repentance pleases me. Yes, at times you say things you really didn’t want to say and you do things you really don’t want to do. All those seem to be knee-jerk responses, immediate reactions. They don’t represent who you really are, nor how you really feel. They simply spotlight areas in need of healing and strongholds to be broken. Most of all, those are places Holy Spirit must invade and take over.
In fact, replacement therapy is what is required. Replace lies with truth. Replace strongholds with freedom as you remove each thought that doesn’t line up with Me and My word. Replace vows and judgments, promises you made to yourself, with My promises. Replace hurt with health, unforgiveness with forgiveness, and brokenness with wholeness.
The Holy Spirit is so smart! Many of my “uncontrolled” actions are because of a vow I’ve made, a judgment I’ve spoken or a myriad of lies I’ve believed which have built up a stronghold. All these things along with unforgiveness, add to my deception, to where I can’t see things clearly. I’m reminded of the time I accidentally put on a dinner guest’s eyeglasses and I started to panic because all of a sudden, my vision was blurred! My automatic responses to sin boil down to a wounded heart which God is waiting to heal.
God’s replacement therapy involves telling ourselves the truth from His word, reminding ourselves of His promises and keeping our hearts pure through repentance and forgiveness. In order to do what we want to do and not do what we hate to do, we must take care of our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 is wise guidance. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
“God can do nothing for me until I recognize the limits of what is humanly possible, allowing Him to do the impossible.”
Oswald Chambers
Relevant Reflections:
In what instances do you do what you don’t want to do?
Which replacement therapy do you need to apply in order to do what God wants you to do: repentance, forgiveness, or believing God’s truth and His promises?
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