Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].
Romans 8.1 Amplified Bible
Today, I want to write about those of us who are IN Christ and how we can live a victorious thought life.
We all experience temptations and sinful thoughts from time to time. But here’s the thing: Right in the midst of any temptation, we need to know there “is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Notice how this verse is in the present tense. Right now, even if at this very moment, sinful thoughts are going through your mind, there is no condemnation because you are IN CHRIST JESUS!
You cannot stop birds from flying over your head, but you can certainly stop them from building a nest in your hair. In the same way, you cannot stop temptations, sinful thoughts and desires from passing through your mind, but you can certainly stop yourself from acting on them.
How?
By declaring at the very moment of temptation that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and that there is therefore now no condemnation for you!
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
The power of Jesus to overcome every temptation is activated when you remain conscious, even at the point of temptation, that Jesus is still with you and that you are righteous IN Him apart from your works
So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works.
Romans 4:6 RSV
When you activate His power, you reject all condemnation for the temptation that you are facing. You are now able to rest in your righteous identity IN Christ apart from your works, and release the power of Christ IN you to rise above the temptation. That, is the victorious life in Christ!
No More Condemnation
Many Christian people are stuck in fear and sickness today because of guilt and condemnation.
Condemnation kills!
People condemn themselves for their sins and failures, receive condemnation from others and even think that God is condemning them to a life of sickness and lack.
The good news of the gospel is that there is ABSOLUTELY no condemnation for us who are in Christ, because Christ has already been condemned in our place at Calvary!
Always remember, freely receive God’s gift of no condemnation today by meditating on and thanking Him for it. When you reach out and receive God’s gift of no condemnation, you’ll receive your healing, provision and the wholeness you desire, fully paid for by the blood of His Son!
Spiritual Conflict
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would.
Galatians 5:17 RSV
God’s Spirit and Our Own Desires
For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.
Galatians 5:17 AMP
This verse is much misunderstood as referring to a continual warfare between the flesh and the Spirit, making the believer a victim of the flesh and helpless to live right. This is NOT the thought at all. It does describe the Galatians, or anyone else fallen from grace and seeking perfection through the flesh and self-effort. That it does not refer to the normal life of a Christian IN Christ (In Grace), living and walking in the Spirit is clear from Galatians 5:16-24
If you are guided by the Spirit, you won’t obey your selfish desires. The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should. But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you.
People’s desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds. They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God’s kingdom.
God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways. And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires.
Because you belong to Christ!
Contentment Cottage 