Your victory over a weak spiritual life occurs through the DAILY surrender to the Holy Spirit’s power. Sanctification is a lifelong process, but your commitment to growing in the character of God is worth what seems hard to do.
“Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindler will inherit the kingdom of God,” I Corinthians 6:9-10.
Paul the apostle wrote to Corinth, a city struggling with moral corruption. He desired these newly-saved Christ-followers to remain sanctified.
Thousands of years later, our modern church faces similar dilemmas. Don’t let the culture of the world, sway your heart. Instead, take heart. The sanctifying power of Christ cures any of the following spiritual weaknesses.
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God, (Verse 11).
Don’t know how to begin? Plug into prayer. Repent of these besetting sins. Seek spiritual deliverance through your local church.
1. The Weakness of Sexual Immorality
This world will tell you sex before marriage is no biggie. The culture wants you to think it’s okay to cohabitate before marriage. You justify your sexual sin: I was lonely. I was sad. You blame the devil, instead of blaming your own impulsive desires.
“The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust,” Proverbs 11:6
2. The Weakness of Idolatry
You devote yourself to earthly treasures which will one day fade away: pretty clothes, jewelry, even decorating. You have more affection for your earthly career than you do for the spiritual gifts which God desires to give you. The Sunday game has your heart and skipping church has become your new normal. You’ve put people on pedestals and have followed their lead. Humans are quick to make heroes out of mere mortals. If we can wake from the illusion of idolatry, we can become fully aware of God’s simple command:
"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth,” Exodus 20:3-6.
3. The Weakness of Covetousness
You’re a slave to created things: cars, jewelry, luxury. You get your fix on purchasing seemingly innocent products: electronics, clothing, or books. Greed pulls at your heartstrings and impulsiveness wins out. Before you know it, you’re in debt, your credit cards are maxed out, and your quarreling with your spouse. What is your heart devoted to? Temporary pursuits? What are you preoccupied with? The perfectly decorated house? No earthly, man-made product can give you the peace and joy of eternal truths. You can have nice things, just make sure those ‘nice things’ don’t have YOU.
Matthew 6:21 tells us, ““Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
4. The Weakness of Drunkenness
You can’t have just one. One beer. One glass of wine. One drink. You overindulge instead and make a fool of yourself. You damage your testimony and you tax your physical health. Before you realize it, you’re in situation which can lead to sexual sin or drunk-driving accidents. Alcohol impairs sound judgment and can lead to health problems.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received of God? . . . . Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
5. The Weakness of Revilers
You’re the queen of gossip. Your quick to spread the shortcomings or struggles of others with the listening ear beside you. Someone’s secrets aren’t safe with you. You’re hostile and plain old mean. You have no problem cutting down a loved one or friend if they offend you. You belittle others to make yourself look good. Your cutthroat behavior takes you to the top. Sadly, the heart of a revilers is filled with insecurity and jealousies.
I Peter 3:9 reads, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
6. The Weakness of a Swindler
You use your charm or beauty for your own selfish gain. You borrow money from others with no intent to repay them. You feel entitled: What can others do for me? You’ve been dishonest while buying merchandise—you have no problem milking the system. You are weak to the devil’s schemes—the ultimate swindler! A heart which struggles with this sin, worships money and is plagued by the spirit of mammon.
Matthew 7:12: So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
We can die to self: our inner-desires, our wants, or what we think we need. You can gain ample spiritual muscle to overcome these weaknesses of the carnal nature. Never forget, God finds you in your weakness and transforms you day by day.
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Jessica Galán encourages her readers to embrace malleability in the midst of life’s difficult moments. She spends her day teaching amazing students from diverse backgrounds in Fairfield County, Connecticut. She’s wife to a super-creative man and the proud mother of three resilient young women. She’s served as a writing facilitator for Lysa TerKeurst through COMPEL Training. She enjoys daily cups of steaming hot café con leche and breaks out in sporadic salsa dancing when no one’s looking. You’ll find her stories at jessicagalan.net. Connect with her here: Twitter || Instagram ||Facebook
Originally published Monday, 02 October 2017.
