Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your rational service. And do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Strongholds, fortresses, bastions; these are words that speak of war, battle, and yes, death. Yesterday your thoughts were focused on the strongholds the enemy has taken in the culture around you.
The strongholds without are formidable, but there are strongholds within that are more dangerous.
Every born again follower of Christ has been fully, and eternally forgiven of every sin: past, present, and future. This is the promise of God and it stands. You are redeemed, sanctified, born again,
and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Nothing will separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus
your Lord.
Yet, for many Christians, there are old sins, old habits, that were deeply embedded before Christ
made you free. There may be addictions, dependencies, life styles, and attitudes that formed enemy
strongholds within you. Some areas of sin simply went away when the Holy Spirit took His place in your
heart. But there remains a terrible drawing, or attraction, to some things that seem never to go away.
Dear believer, take heart and allow God to help you in the battle for victory over these enemy strongholds. Two steps are shown in the passage: “Present yourself a living sacrifice” is the first step. Becoming a living sacrifice is dying to your desires and will. Dying to your desires and will is repentance. Real repentance is more than confession. First you confess the sin, but then repentance must follow. Repentance is a change of heart and a change of mind.
“Prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” is the second step. With your
renewed mind, you seek God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will. Said plainly, you see a view, or vision, of God’s great plans for you. Live daily focused on proving or accomplishing those things that God is working in and through you; reaching for the higher goal and leaving those things of the past..
Two steps must be taken: You must become a living sacrifice, dead to self, and live in view of
God’s high purpose for your life. Then strongholds will fall.
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