1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.

 

As we surrender more and more of ourselves to God, the Holy Spirit takes that which we give up and renews it. He turns the old, sinful, worn-out things about us into something beautiful and new; something God can use to build His Kingdom.

 

The moment we are saved, the Holy Spirit moves inside us. He is there waiting for us to relinquish our old man to Him. The spiritual work was completed on the Cross by Jesus where He defeated all power of the enemy in our lives. As the Holy Spirit convicts us of things that are not pleasing to God and we surrender to that conviction, He brings about change in that area of our lives.

 

A good example would be smoking. This is something that is legal so people do it. However, just because it's legal does not make it right in the eyes of God. Because smoking is harmful to our health it is not pleasing to God. In addition, for a Christian to smoke does not set a good example for others. Paul wrote All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. (1 Corinthians 10:23)

 

In many states, marijuana is not illegal but it is not pleasing to God. Any substance that alters the mind is not good or acceptable to God. Just because something is legal does not make it right. Paul’s statement in his letter to the Corinthians is profound because it hits the nail squarely on the head.

 

Our lives are not about us. This selfish attitude is that of the old man prior to Salvation. Jesus instructed us to keep God and His Kingdom first in our hearts and minds. If something is not pleasing to God then it is a sin. Also, if something we do causes someone else to stumble in their walk with the Lord, that too is a sin.

 

The more we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and the more we allow Him to bring about renewal and restoration in our lives, the more we will put God first, others second, and ourselves last. Jesus said So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:16)

 

Surrender and God will……….turn the tide……..in your life.

 

Surrendering more every day.         Doreen

 

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