I must share something before we start our post today. I began reading a different kind of book this week. And I’ll be honest, reading is something I don’t particularly do a lot of. Don’t get me wrong, I do actually read. Menus, social media, Amazon reviews… well, you get what I’m saying. In all seriousness, my circle of subject matter is pretty small for my reading. The Bible takes up a very major part of my reading material. And I don’t say that to be boastful. I simply mean that’s about the majority of what I read. That, and commentaries and sermons by some of my favorite preachers and Bible teachers. And I promise, I only say that to say this: I’m a man of routine. That can be good and sometimes, that can be bad. My wife will tell you that. She knows me well. So, when I was talking to her the other day about some heavy struggles in life, she recommended a book she was reading. It wasn’t a book I would particularly read by choice. And that’s only because of that thing about me being a routine person. This book she recommended didn’t fit into what I usually read. It’s called “Get Out of Your Head,” by Jennie Allen. My wife is currently in a women’s bible study that is using this particular book. So, I did what you usually do before deciding to begin reading a book. I flipped it over and read the back cover. You know, the same thing you used to do to decide which DVDs to rent at Blockbuster (Not familiar with Blockbuster? Just ask your parents.). I immediately realized this book was about things that I had taught and led in bible studies and small groups before. It’s about the battle that all of us in the Christian faith face on a daily occurrence: the battle in our minds.

Jennie Allen is also the founder of a ministry called IF:The Gathering. But trust me when I say, this isn’t a “chick book.” Yes, Jennie’s ministry may be focused on equipping women in their daily discipleship, but the truths in this book are for men and women alike. The truth that our emotions and actions all are dictated by our thoughts is something that we all need to hear. Jennie Allen states early in the book, that all our negative thoughts can be interrupted by one single phrase:

“I have a choice.”

This is stated early in the book, so I promise, I haven’t ruined it for you. This is simply expounded on further as the reader moves forward. But this is so profound in its simplicity. Let’s take a look at what I mean.

Last week we talked about shame, and our instinct to run and hide from God and others when we are tempted with it. (Check it out here.) We took a step back and looked at Romans 7 and at Pauls inspired pen about a struggle we all know too well. In verse 15, Paul writes: “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Sounds encouraging, right? We can’t stop there, however.

Remember when I suggested reading Romans 8 in our last post? Paul doesn’t end his despair and leave it where it lies in chapter 7. On the contrary, he continues to explain the best news we could hear concerning our struggle with ourselves and the struggle in our minds. Paul begins chapter 8 by telling us exactly why God sent Jesus to die. In verse 4, he writes, “He did this so that the requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the spirit.”

Did you catch that? We, who are Christians, are filled with the Holy Spirit. Verse 1 tells us that the Spirit is “life-giving” and has “freed us from the power of sin.” In verse 9, we read “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you.” The Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave has come to live inside us who belong to Him, and because of this wonderful truth, we are no longer controlled by our sinful nature.

“Then,” you ask, ”why in the world am I still doing what Paul talks about in Romans 7? Why am I watching myself do and say things that aren’t lining up with my desires to obey God? If I’m controlled by the Spirit, why am I still caught up in sin?” Verse 12 and 13 answers this for us.

“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.”

There it is.

The choice that Jennie Allen talks about in her book. We have a choice. We have a choice to either give in to the urges of our sinful nature that still lives inside of our mortal bodies, or by the Spirit, put those urges to death. That choice is one we must make on a constant daily basis. It will take diligent discipline and work. But, the good news is that this work isn’t accomplished by our will power. It’s taken care of by Christ Himself, though the work of the Holy Spirit within us. When we make the willful choice to rely on the Spirit’s promised work to make us more like Christ and resist the urges of our unredeemed flesh, we begin to see the tide start turning in our favor. Our choices determine our emotions and actions. There lies our joy and peace. Or our misery and despair, or even death, depending on our choice. You see, the fascinating thing is that this is a very predictable formula we’re talking about here. Biblically speaking, of course. Look at verse 13 again. If you make choices based on your flesh and sinful nature, bad things happen. Guaranteed. Every single time. Like clockwork. They may be immediate, or they may be cumulative. But the Word of God states that bad things will happen. In your relationships, your emotions, your parenting, your effectiveness as an employee or employer, and everywhere in between. On the other side of the coin, we can make the right choice. The choice to be led by the Spirit of God that has taken up residence inside of us. I’m pretty sure He knows best for us. We simply make the choice to allow Him to lead us, speak for us, and even guide our thinking. Good things happen then. Guaranteed. Every time. Like clockwork.

Making that choice on a consistent basis will take time. But just like anything else worth doing, the effort put into taking your thoughts captive and making them obey your choice to follow the Spirit’s work, will take persistence and work. But, it’s well worth our time. Our joy and peace is at stake. Even our life. During this process of being sanctified, remember to focus on Christ and His accomplished work on the cross. Rely on His grace and promise of forgiveness of every single sin. And above all else, trust in Him to do what He has said He will faithfully do: keep you in His love.

Christian, you have a choice. Choose well.

-Brandon Walker

South Fork Church