Doing What We Want

Does this sound familiar, especially during the holiday season?

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. ~ Romans 7:15

As we continue with our #HolidayWellnessHabits series, we’ve discussed conscious over convenient Habits, purging procrastination with Obedience, and assessing our Lapses and Loves for balance. It’s now time to look at Inserting Intelligence.

The Apostle Paul’s complaint from Romans is one we often share, especially over the holiday season. Why do we eat so many cookies, spend so much money and never exercise or rest enough? Paul goes on to discuss this dichotomy within us is caused by sin.

But as Paul and we discover, Jesus is the answer.

Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. ~Romans 7:24-25

But we don’t have to be slaves to sin. Paul goes on to remind us:

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. ~Romans 8:1-2  

So even though we do what we don’t want to because of sin, Jesus redeeming sacrifice saves us. Still, sin remains and we often repeat bad habits. Continuing, Paul instructs how this amazing, redeeming gift of God’s grace works in our everyday existence. When we mess up, (which we will), God is available to help in the form of His Spirit within us:

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  ~Romans 8:26-28

Yes, we are born into and live with sin every day. Daily and especially in the holiday season, our sin causes us to not make the wisest choices.

But God…

He sent Jesus to free us and the Holy Spirit to help us. However, we aren’t off the hook. We still need to make efforts to understand and insert the intelligence He gives.

I love how Proverbs always has just the right application for every life dilemma!

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.  Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. ~Proverbs 9:10

Notice where the foundation of wisdom begins? In the fear (awe and reverence) of God. When we seek His wisdom and knowledge, it results in good judgement.

We don’t need to be a slave to our sin and poor choices as Paul and the teachings of Proverbs instruct us. We can seek out God’s wisdom. We can choose consciously, obey to overcome procrastination and balance our loves and lapses. But it all begins when we insert the intelligence and wisdom He alone can give in prayer, His Word and in worship.

Here are a few ways to insert God’s wisdom above our ways:

1. Pray-Ask God to lead us to what He wants us to know and understand in this moment.
2. Seek-Search the scriptures for what you sense is needed or what God is trying say, today. He always shows us. The other day I was seeking one thing and God led me to a completely different thing, which turned out was exactly what I needed, when I needed it!
3. Pray again-Thank and praise Him for giving you His wisdom and ask how to apply it today. Then, ask Him for the opportunities to live what was learned.
4. Act-Take the wisdom given and go out and shine, however and in whatever way God presents-even our everyday activities.

Let’s not be slaves to sin, but insert the intelligence that only our Holy awe-inspiring God can give. When we seek and are obedient to what God wants for us, He transforms our sin into His path. [tweetthis twitter_handles=”@JillMHoven”]Seeking God’s #wisdom transforms our sin into His path for us. #HolidayWellnessHabits #wellness[/tweetthis]

Inserting His wisdom and intelligence into our holidays and everyday allows us to follow His footprints created uniquely for each of us. Now there’s something I truly want to do!

Linking with Crystal at #HeartEncouragement

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