“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:10).

It is true that my old self has been crucified with Christ and that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Theologically, this is an absolutely true statement. That is what happens when we repent and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

If this is true, then how come I still struggle with sin every single day? If this is true, if someone were to observe my life, see my thoughts, see my desires would they be able to see that Christ is the one living in me?

What are we supposed to do with this sin that we struggle with? Am I doing something wrong? Did I miss something? Why do I struggle with sin if Jesus is the one living in me?

That’s a great question.

Here’s the thing. While it is true that Christ lives in me, my old nature and flesh hasn’t gone away. In fact, the new nature, the new creation still lives in the old nature and flesh. And every day, every moment there is a war between the old and the new nature.

So, if you are struggling and battling with sin, that’s great! Keep at it. Don’t quit. Don’t give into sin. Keep fighting sin.

When Christ returns and when we are reunited with Christ, this flesh and this body will be destroyed. We will be given new bodies: bodies that no longer wage war with the new nature and new creation.

But as long as we live in this body we will wrestle with sin.

That we are wrestling is a sign that the Spirit and Christ is alive and well within us.

Keep battling. Keep going. Don’t ever give into sin.

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it” (Revelation 1:3).

If you love God you love God’s word.

How can you know who God is? The only way to know God is through God’s word.

That’s the reason why God’s word always trumps all other authorities when it comes to what is true, right, and good. No other source can usurp the place of God’s word in our lives. God’s word is the standard by which all other truths are measured.

But, here’s the problem. In today’s world, there are way too many people who call themselves followers of Jesus who place themselves as a higher authority than God’s word. We mean well, but when it comes down to it, when God’s word contradicts what we believe, what we think, or how we feel, we allow our personal beliefs, thoughts, and feelings to usurp the truth of God’s word.

Let me show you. If you’ve ever said:

• “I know what the Bible says, but I think…”
• “I know what the Bible says, but I feel…”
• “I know what God said about sin, but it feels so good, so right…”

If you’ve ever said or thought any of those things, you have made yourself a higher authority than God’s word.

Listen, this isn’t just James’ thoughts. If these were my thoughts then you can ignore them and there is no consequence. However, if these are God’s words, if what you are reading is consistent with what is revealed in God’s word, then there are eternal consequences to rejecting these words.

The Bible isn’t supposed to be just read. The Bible is to be obeyed.

It’s not just knowing about God’s word. It’s allowing God’s word to transform our life and thinking.

The Bible is God’s word. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it.”

“David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30:6).

The Bible has a way of mellowing out the suffering, anguish, terror.

“David was greatly distressed.”

That makes it sound like David was having a bad day. Maybe even a really bad day. But it doesn’t come close to how horrendous that day must have been like.

David’s decision as a leader led to catastrophic loss, not only for himself, but all his followers. You see, while David and his men were out to battle, the Amalekites raided where David and his men had been staying. They captured all the old, the women, and children and took everything that David and his men owned.

David’s men were devastated. Their wives, children, parents were all gone. They wanted to kill David.

Ever been there? Where your decision as a leader led to catastrophic results for your followers. They lose everything because of your decision as a leader?

This was a nightmare of all nightmares.

David’s men wanted to kill him. I’ve made some dumb leadership decisions but I can’t ever remember people wanting to kill me!

I have no idea how much time passed. I don’t know if we’re talking hours or days of anguish. It is probably the latter.

Those hours and days had to have been torture. I can’t even imagine. These were the valleys of the shadow of death.

What are you supposed to do? What do you do when all hell breaks loose?

We’re told, “but David found strength in his God.”

David found strength in God. Prayer. Psalms. Being in the presence of God gave David strength.

This doesn’t mean the nightmare disappears. This doesn’t mean everything returns to normal. It does mean God gives you strength and perspective so that you can keep going and keep leading.

Your time with God in God’s word and in prayer is essential. There will come a time when your very life may depend on it. You will need to have in place a regular practice of finding strength in God.

Keep at it. Keep praying. Keep meditating on God’s word.