Led by the Spirit of God
Romans 8:14 TLV
This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture! I read it over my daughter often. v12: So then, brothers and sisters, we do not owe anything to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if I live according to the flesh, I must die.
When my insides are longing to be seen or heard and my heart is screaming for justice, these verses give me permission to dismiss them. While these feelings are hardwired into me, they are emotions. Emotions are indicators, a built-in warning system. When my emotions become Task Masters, left to rule my behavior, only my needs matter as my flesh rules my actions. I become selfish and tyrannical. I might know your pain, but I can no longer see it. You become dead to me and I to you.
The verse continues in a manner that gives me hope; in that if by the Ruach (Spirit) I put to death the deeds of the body, I shall live. For all who are led by the Ruach Elohim (Spirit of the Trinity), these are Daughters (and Sons) of God. For I did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall again into fear; rather, I received the Spirit of adoption, by whom I cry, “Abba! Father!”
Isn’t that what drives the needs of my flesh? Fear that you will rule over me and I won’t get what I need? When God adopted me, He promised to provide for ALL of my needs, and He set me free from fear. It no longer has the right to determine what happens to me. Today, let me examine what I truly believe. Is God who He says He is? Do I believe His promises to me, or will I allow my doubt to steal my inheritance? Today, do I choose to forfeit my peace, the complete Shalom of God—nothing missing, nothing broken? Anymore, the only power fear has is the power I choose to give it.
As a daughter, I have been given all power and authority over ALL things evil. The Ruach (Spirit) Himself bears witness with my spirit that I am a child of God. And if a child then also an heir—an heir of God and joint-heir with Messiah Yeshua—if indeed I suffer with Him so that I may also be glorified with Him.
Be encouraged, dear one, the Lord is true and every man a liar! His Love for you runs deeper than you know you go.