We strive to do things our way and get depressed, angry, upset, and despondent, reaching for a quick fix or easy way in life; but become deeper intwined in one trap after another - that can compare to being trapped in a net or string; you turn one way to get loose and realize you turned the wrong way and become entangled more than set free! Eventually, the exhaustion causes you to become complacent and aloof. You say, “What’s the use. The more “I” try, the worse things become.” We can’t do it alone; or never could!
I know, because “I” have lived a life of a self confident fool! I was what is called, “Works of the flesh.” Which means without God!
Works of the flesh is arrogance, pride, self-seeking, dislike, disgust and most of all, “selfish”, because it only seeks to gratify self! It’s debilitating and draining; it also destroys a soul and spirit.
We sit around wondering, “Why are things not going my way, or why are the things I want to happen not working out the way I want them to.” Well, most of it is from our selfish desires; but the important one is, our joy and success is not through worldly things, at the expense of adopting negative emotions and a destructive lifestyle to obtain them!
Think about it, your health deteriorates, you become anxious, depressed, forceful and mean to others, lack of sleep, that is covered up with lots of coffee and energy drinks loaded with caffeine (an addictive drug) that can lead to being dependent on stronger drugs to get through this dark lifestyle you seek to live on or with that stronghold that is destroying you, your family and your job (if you have one).
We don’t see the big deep hole we are creating, until one day, we are too deep in it to climb out; without someone to reach down deep, and slowly pull us up - and out.
Paul writes in Romans 7:18-25:
18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.]19 For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.20 Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul].21 So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.22 For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature].23 But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].24 O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?25 O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
We all struggle with sin, because we are born sinners; however, it is destroying our lives and many of us seek things that destroy more than Jesus, who gives life and a renewed heart and mind!
Look at those who have Christ in them, there is something about them that is beautiful and it shows in their face - they glow! Their face is not distraught with worry, they have a peaceful spirit and a loving smile. Jesus who is the light of the world, illuminates in their spirit.
John 1:4-5 AMPC
4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.5 And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].
Although many Christians have material things on earth to live and survive, and they truly appreciate them and thank God for them; they don’t idolize them. We as Christians know we are not to focus our attention on things, but on lost souls who need a Savior.
James 1:15-18 AMPC
15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.16 Do not be misled, my beloved brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].18 And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself].
We first have to take responsibility of our wrong behavior and admit, repent and be truly sorrowful for our wrong actions; whereas, the light, Jesus, will overtake the darkness within - and your beauty will attract others ---They will want what you have and how to get it!
