Covenant Community Services
The Battle Within ...
Winning the War by Walking in the Spirit November 11, 2008
Greetings!
I struggle. I struggle daily with this contest between my Spirit and my flesh. It seems to be a constant battle that wages within me for rights to my mind, heart and hands. It is a battle I must fight. It is a battle God must help me win!
 
Can you admit this war is going on inside you? Are you there? The battle is intense and often subsides to a minor fray but don't be lulled into thinking it is over. The enemy, which unfortunately is in us, is always attacking. Be watchful. Be wary.
 
The amazing and wonderful news is that God is on our side to help us train to win and win. I love the passage in 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 that states,
 
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. "
 
God leads us in triumph. We are not alone in this war that wages within. No, we are fighting the fight of faith in the power of a Risen Lord. He is our Victor and Victory. The battle is the Lord's but waged on our turf. Fight on!
Our Two Natures
  
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Walking in the Spirit 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 
 
~ Galatians 5:13-18 ~
Align your Spirit for Victory
 
You will fight this war until you move from this life to the next. Victory may be won day by day but tomorrow we go to war again. Be prepared by knowing thyself and your opponent. You will be best prepared as you work with the intelligence provided by God's Spirit.
 
The Holy Spirit is like our CIA, FBI, NSA, and Special Ops all rolled into a divine package of insight, intelligence and strategy. The Holy Spirit is always attempting to brief you regarding today's threat and the terrorist plot of the enemy. The Holy Spirit is the "promised" provision so we are not alone or abandoned in the war for our soul. Thanks God for such a great gift!
 
Wars are won when the soldiers align themselves with the plans, strategy and intelligence of their commanding officers. We do not have a commanding officer that makes mistakes or is incorrect. Every piece of information God provides is for our protection, advancement and victory. We simply need to listen, obey and trust.
 
Align your heart to God's this week and watch Him lead you in triumphal procession. There is a battle that is raging within. You must lean on God to win at life. You must heed the intelligence from the Spirit as directed in God's Word, through prayer and through the prompting of God's Spirit. Remember, the battle was settled long ago and you merely need to enforce the victory already won. To your daily warfare and your victory! 
 
For King and Kingdom,
 

Randy Martin
661-326-8304