<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Blessed be the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us remind ourselves of the Word of God today.<\/p>\n
By the grace of the Lord, we will revisit things we have learned before. For the Bible teaches us to do so (see 2 Peter 1:12\u201313; 2 Peter 3:1\u20132; 1 Corinthians 4:17).<\/p>\n
Today we are reminding ourselves of something very important\u2014something that troubles many people:<\/p>\n
The power that lies in decisions.<\/p>\n
God\u2019s power does not override our personal decisions.<\/p>\n
When we serve God, we do not serve Him like robots. Robots have no self-awareness; they are simply directed wherever someone wants them to go. They have no will of their own.<\/p>\n
But God did not create us that way.<\/p>\n
He created us with something called choice. Therefore, neither He nor any other being interferes with our decisions\u2014not even Satan.<\/p>\n
It is not that God lacks the ability to make us like robots. He has the power\u2014but He has chosen not to.<\/p>\n
When God draws someone to Himself\u2014someone He desires to give eternal life\u2014He does not force that person.<\/p>\n
Instead, He persuades.<\/p>\n
He gives the person every reason to repent. He opens their eyes to see the state they are in\u2014that they are heading toward destruction unless they take action. It is like someone standing beside them, urging them to make a certain decision.<\/p>\n
If they agree, they align themselves with Him.<\/p>\n
But the Holy Spirit does not kidnap a person or make them a captive.<\/p>\n
Many people pray that God would forcibly stop them from committing sexual immorality. But that is not how it works.<\/p>\n
The Holy Spirit is a Helper, not the one who does the action for us. We are the ones who must act; He helps us.<\/p>\n
When you follow Christ, you must first personally obey the counsel of the Holy Spirit to stop immorality. Once you decide to obey and take action, then He comes to help you.<\/p>\n
Your decision combined with His help brings victory.<\/p>\n
Without your decision, nothing changes.<\/p>\n
You cannot ask God to make you quit alcohol or cigarettes by force\u2014that you would just suddenly find yourself free.<\/p>\n
The Holy Spirit does not work that way.<\/p>\n
If you want to stop drinking\u2014especially if it has enslaved you for a long time\u2014the first step is to obey the Holy Spirit who is urging you to stop.<\/p>\n
That means:<\/p>\n
Once you make such practical decisions, the Helper who stands beside you strengthens you to overcome the cravings.<\/p>\n
But if you do not decide, years may pass and nothing will change. You may attend church, have hands laid on you by many servants of God, yet nothing will happen.<\/p>\n
Why?<\/p>\n
Because the power of the Holy Spirit does not exceed the power of your own decision.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cFor unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.\u201d
\u2014 Isaiah 9:6<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nA counselor does not override your decisions; he stays close to improve your thinking.<\/p>\n
\nThe Lie: \u201cThe Devil Made Me Do It\u201d<\/h2>\n
Another widespread deception is when people sin and say, \u201cThe devil overcame me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Do not be deceived by that lie.<\/p>\n
When a person commits sexual immorality, the devil has not forcibly taken over them. What happens in the spiritual realm is that demonic spirits influence and persuade them, reminding them of past images, past experiences, and stirring up desire.<\/p>\n
But the person chooses to act.<\/p>\n
They are not tied up and forced. They are persuaded\u2014and they agree.<\/p>\n
If they had rejected those thoughts, Satan would not have been able to force them.<\/p>\n
No created being has power greater than a person\u2019s own decision.<\/p>\n
The power in decisions is great.<\/p>\n
\nFreedom From Sexual Sin<\/h2>\n
If you have struggled for a long time with masturbation or sexual immorality, hoping that one day a miracle will suddenly happen and God will forcefully remove the desire\u2014know this truth:<\/p>\n
You may wait for years, and that day will not come.<\/p>\n
What you must do is decide today:<\/p>\n
\u201cI repent. I stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then attach actions to that decision:<\/p>\n
\n
- Delete immoral images from your phone<\/li>\n
- Block or leave immoral groups<\/li>\n
- Reject lustful thoughts immediately<\/li>\n
- Avoid anything that draws you into temptation<\/li>\n
- Stop reading immoral content<\/li>\n
- Skip any post with sexual material<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
There are even magazines that appear moral on the outside but secretly promote immorality. Avoid them completely.<\/p>\n
Separate yourself from vulgar conversations and joking.<\/p>\n
If you continue consuming such content while expecting the Holy Spirit to overpower you one day\u2014you will be disappointed.<\/p>\n
That day will not come.<\/p>\n
Those who overcame did not overcome that way. They first obeyed God\u2019s conviction within them, then acted on their decision by separating from every form of temptation.<\/p>\n
That is self-denial.<\/p>\n
\nThe Principle Applies to Every Sin<\/h2>\n
If you want to stop gossiping\u2014decide and act.<\/p>\n
If you want to stop stealing\u2014decide and act.<\/p>\n
If you want to leave witchcraft\u2014decide, burn the charms, delete the numbers of traditional healers, and separate from that company.<\/p>\n
After doing these things:<\/p>\n
\n
- Complete the steps of salvation<\/li>\n
- Be baptized<\/li>\n
- Fellowship with believers<\/li>\n
- Continue daily in God\u2019s Word<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nFinal Word<\/h2>\n
God does not force\u2014He counsels.
The Holy Spirit helps\u2014but you must decide.<\/p>\nThe power that lies in your decision is very great.<\/p>\n
May the Lord bless you abundantly.<\/p>\n