Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10
Please keep reading since I start with a four-letter word...
SELF!
Jesus said that we must first deny our…selves to follow Him.
Consider the following areas of Self:
Self will
Self-trust
Self-exaltation
Self-pleasing
Self-confidence
There isn't a place where the Self doesn't try to sit on the throne of our lives and keep us in a carnal state of impotence.
Impotence never leads to fruitfulness.
When you bear much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. John 15:8
Denying ourselves comes from first seeing the futility of our self-efforts to follow Jesus and live like Him. Only Jesus can do that in and through us.
Stop trying to overcome yourself by yourself.
Your flesh will never defeat itself.
It is as futile as a dog chasing its tail.
Empty yourself by confessing your rebellious reliance upon you. He desires full fellowship with you! Bow down before Him, and the Holy Spirit will fill you to overflow with Himself.
What are some patterns you have not been able to conquer in your life?
Which of the above areas of Self are you relying upon?
How would being filled by the Holy Spirit change your life and the lives of those around you?
Lord, how beautiful Your saints are and how full they are of You! How wonderfully made we are when You take up entire residence within us and shine out through us. May Your beauty be revealed in our love. Amen