Galatians 5:17
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do
Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
For everyone who seeks to find GOD there is a battle going on inside of them. This battle is for the place of control. People can have a belief that there is a God but not have faith in him. Belief is what you are taught and faith is when you put what you have been taught into action. When we are born we are controlled by our soul. Our soul is the part of us that loves the world. The soul wants to fill every body desire Food, the most desired thing in the world and enjoyment. The soul is never satisfied when it rules a person it always wants more power, love, money ect.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" 1 john 2:15-17
As we grow in life we have a sense that something is missing. This is our spirit trying to wake us up. Spiritual growth is a process and a battle. You can not serve two masters As the LORD has said. This day I set before you life and death choose life. The Longer it take for us to reach out to God in our lives and be ruled by the Spirit the more pain and suffering we will go through. There is more Joy and peace in our life when we allow ourselves to be ruled by the Spirit. Some people have to go through a great trial for them to start looking for GOD others just have a strong yearning that pulls them along. When we hear the knock of Jesus on our hearts this is the start of a journey that will continue to grow deeper the more time we spend with him. This growth is a combined work between the Spirit of man and the Spirit of God. As our Spirit learns how God communicate our love and trust for him grows deeper. We are awakened to joy and freedom that can never be known at the soul level. As we learn to live in this place of complete surrender we treasure the embrace of God as he leads us deeper into himself. We no longer look to other for our worth or satisfaction, we are free just to be who we are. Each new step taken toward Spiritual growth can create an internal conflict as our soul fights to keep control and our Spirit pushes us forward. Then there is the evilone who sees we are making progress and will throw up some road blocks, but if we stay in prayer and the word we will come out with stronger faith, wisdom and knowledge to continue the path before us.
　
God's eternal desire is for "all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" 1 Tim. 2:4. God does not want a single soul to be lost. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" 2 Pet. 3:9.
And yet, God will not force anyone to obey His will -- we are creatures with free moral agency -- we can reject all that God has done for us and judge ourselves "unworthy of everlasting life" Acts 13:46.
　
　
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do
Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
For everyone who seeks to find GOD there is a battle going on inside of them. This battle is for the place of control. People can have a belief that there is a God but not have faith in him. Belief is what you are taught and faith is when you put what you have been taught into action. When we are born we are controlled by our soul. Our soul is the part of us that loves the world. The soul wants to fill every body desire Food, the most desired thing in the world and enjoyment. The soul is never satisfied when it rules a person it always wants more power, love, money ect.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" 1 john 2:15-17
As we grow in life we have a sense that something is missing. This is our spirit trying to wake us up. Spiritual growth is a process and a battle. You can not serve two masters As the LORD has said. This day I set before you life and death choose life. The Longer it take for us to reach out to God in our lives and be ruled by the Spirit the more pain and suffering we will go through. There is more Joy and peace in our life when we allow ourselves to be ruled by the Spirit. Some people have to go through a great trial for them to start looking for GOD others just have a strong yearning that pulls them along. When we hear the knock of Jesus on our hearts this is the start of a journey that will continue to grow deeper the more time we spend with him. This growth is a combined work between the Spirit of man and the Spirit of God. As our Spirit learns how God communicate our love and trust for him grows deeper. We are awakened to joy and freedom that can never be known at the soul level. As we learn to live in this place of complete surrender we treasure the embrace of God as he leads us deeper into himself. We no longer look to other for our worth or satisfaction, we are free just to be who we are. Each new step taken toward Spiritual growth can create an internal conflict as our soul fights to keep control and our Spirit pushes us forward. Then there is the evilone who sees we are making progress and will throw up some road blocks, but if we stay in prayer and the word we will come out with stronger faith, wisdom and knowledge to continue the path before us.
　
God's eternal desire is for "all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" 1 Tim. 2:4. God does not want a single soul to be lost. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" 2 Pet. 3:9.
And yet, God will not force anyone to obey His will -- we are creatures with free moral agency -- we can reject all that God has done for us and judge ourselves "unworthy of everlasting life" Acts 13:46.