THE “TAKE DOWN”
The “take down” connected to our wrestling in prayer might be expressed this way: “Lord, I seize the moment for you. I will take hold of today to serve and to glorify you. Rather than the flesh controlling I will allow your Spirit to take control. With your power I will take captive every thought and make it obedient to you.”
When we escape, then we are ready for the “take down.”
The Hebrew writer encouraged. . .
“(17) So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, (18) so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 6:17-18 ESV)
With our lives no longer under the control of the flesh, but rather under the control of the Spirit, we can take hold of the abundant life (John 10:10) Jesus came to make possible.
Paul encouraged Timothy regarding the rich. . .
“(18) They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (19) thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (I Timothy 6:18-19 ESV)
With the help of God we can then gain control of life in a way that glorifies God and thus ultimately brings benefit to ourselves and to others whom our lives touch.
To the church at Thessalonica, Paul wrote. . .
“(3) For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; (4) that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, (5) not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;” (I Thessalonians 4:3-5 ESV)
As we wrestle with the control of our thinking, Paul pointed to the way in which we need to allow God’s Word to work within us. In his letter to Christians at Corinth Paul stated. . .
“(5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV)
May it be so with us!
Have a great day MAINTAINING CONTROL BY THE POWER OF GOD’S SPIRIT!
Carl
