Have you ever traveled to Newfoundland, Canada?  I have.  You might know that one of the things that pose a real threat to drivers there are the moose.  Because they are so dark, moose are very hard to spot on the highway, especially at night.  Each year, there are over six hundred collisions between drivers and moose.  They would show up when you least expect them; therefore, you need to strain your eyes while you are driving…looking for moose.  Never could you relax and take your eyes off the road for a single moment. 

I KNOW THAT NOTHING GOOD LIVES IN ME, THAT IS, IN MY SINFUL NATURE.  FOR I HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD, BUT I CANNOT CARRY IT OUT. FOR WHAT I DO IS NOT THE GOOD I WANT TO DO; NO, THE EVIL I DO NOT WANT TO DO—THIS I KEEP ON DOING
(Romans 7:18-19).

The moose in Newfoundland remind me of Self.  Self is always around.  Self is a real threat to me.  I have had many collisions with Self, this last year…many of which were fatal.  Never can I relax and forget about Self, because even when I have the desire to do good, Self would get in the way.  It would show up when I least expect it, full of anger, malice, and jealousy.  The evil I do not want to do, Self would keep on doing, all the time.

THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SINFUL NATURE HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THAT NATURE DESIRES; BUT THOSE WHO LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPIRIT HAVE THEIR MINDS SET ON WHAT THE SPIRIT DESIRES. THE MIND OF SINFUL MAN IS DEATH, BUT THE MIND CONTROLLED BY THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE; THE SINFUL MIND IS HOSTILE TO GOD. IT DOES NOT SUBMIT TO GOD’S LAW, NOR CAN IT DO SO. THOSE CONTROLLED BY THE SINFUL NATURE CANNOT PLEASE GOD
(Romans 8:5-8).

I have good news!  Self does not have to be in control of you.  There is another—THE SPIRIT OF GOD—who is able to take control of Self and give you Life and Peace. But, you have an obligation: to stop setting your mind on what Self desires; but instead, submit Self to God’s Authority.

What has your experience been with your Self? How has your Self influenced your heart, your purpose, and your actions?

Did you know that you could surrender your Self to the Lord Jesus, moment-by-moment, so He could disable it and enable you to live from His Spirit, instead?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I am tired of my Self controlling my heart, my purpose, and my actions. I want to be free from Self and its anger, malice, and jealousy.  I want to be free from Self, so I may live from Your Spirit of Life and Peace. Therefore, I surrender my Self to You, my Lord. Redeem me from Self, so I may carry out the good I want to do.