The Hindrance of Self. How to live an overcoming life.

One of the biggest hindrances in living for Christ is self. How many times does self get in the way? How many times do we recognize that is what’s happening? How do we get clarity? Clarity comes once we recognize the enemy, satan, doing his thing and we recognize self doing it’s thing. By the Spirit of God- by walking in the Spirit, by meditating on the Spirit. Look at what Paul says! –

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 
 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 
 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  Romans 8:4-8 KJV

I know we want to please God!! We want to live- and not just live, but really live- full of life and peace!

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:15-19,24-25 KJV)

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:9

Walking in the Spirit is denying yourself, your instant gratifications, denying pleasures, and/or cravings that are contrary to the Word of God. Self, aka flesh or the carnal mind, is hatred and opposition against God. We can’t have a life full of peace being carnally minded, nor can we please God.

We need clarity!

We must bring the carnal mind into alignment with the spirit man. Putting on the piece of the Armor of God, the Helmet of Salvation, assists in this as well as it protects the mind.

1 Corinthians 2:9-16 KJV says-

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 
  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 
  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 
  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 
  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 
  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 
  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 

Clarity will come before the hindrances, by praying in the Spirit and being full of the Holy Ghost. Paul says that we can know those things and they are freely given to us! God reveals them to us by his Spirit because the Spirit searches the deep things of God. He knows God’s heart! He will teach you.

You better believe when you make your mind up to live this way -a life of self-denial, taking up your cross- satan will come at you. He tempted Jesus, he will tempt you. He will find your weaknesses and will distort them. Let’s take a look to see how Jesus won victoriously over the devil-

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 
Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 
And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 
And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 
And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 
If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 
And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 
For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 
And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 
And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. 

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. Luke 4:1-14 KJV

First of all, Jesus was full of the Spirit. Then when temptation came, He came at him with the Word. Jesus is our ultimate example. Jesus made the choice. He chose to deny the flesh and walk in the Spirit. He was man and felt the things we feel and He knows what it’s like to be hungry, tired, etc., but he seen the bigger picture. His relationship with the Father meant more to Him than instant gratifications of food, sleep, etc. Let Him be our example to us today. Take time to get in the Spirit today so your carnal mind will be aligned with the spirit man. Allow the Spirit to reveal to you today the deep things of God for your life and win the war of the flesh!