FOR THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE FLESH DO MIND THE THINGS OF THE FLESH; BUT THEY THAT ARE AFTER THE SPIRIT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT
(Romans 8:5).

Discern that your life is based on one of two purposes: the purpose to live according to your natural Self…or the purpose to live in accordance with the Spirit of Jesus. 

HE THAT COMMITTETH SIN IS OF THE DEVIL; FOR THE DEVIL SINNETH FROM THE BEGINNING
(1 John 3:8).

Know that the goals of these two purposes are opposing…conflicting…incompatible.  The natural Self is obligated to please the father-of-lies, but the Spirit is set to please the Perfect Father.  The natural Self obeys the OLD MAN, the set of negative, destructive conclusions instilled in our minds by the father-of-lies; the Spirit obeys the NEW MAN, Jesus Christ. The natural Self reacts to the negative, destructive OLD MAN conclusions through sinful defense habits and patterns of hiding, running to distraction and destruction, and blaming others. The Spirit contains the Truth of Jesus, and does not have to sin. Therefore, at any given moment in your life, you are living either to please the father-of-lies…or to please the Perfect Father.  There is no middle ground!

FOR THIS PURPOSE THE SON OF GOD WAS MANIFESTED, THAT HE MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL
(1 John 3:8).

Understand that you need to make a choice, whether you are going to live your life according to your natural Self…and sin, or live your life according to the Spirit of Jesus, who was manifested that He might destroy the works of the OLD MAN conclusions in your spirit, soul, and body.

THEREFORE, BROTHERS, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION…IF BY THE SPIRIT YOU PUT TO DEATH THE MISDEEDS OF THE BODY, YOU WILL LIVE
(Romans 8:12-13).

Whose works are being displayed in your life: the works of the father-of-lies…or the works of the Perfect Father?

Know your moment-by-moment choices: to live according to the natural Self and obey the OLD MAN conclusions…or to live according to the Spirit and allow Jesus to put to death these negative, destructive OLD MAN conclusions, instilled in your mind by the father-of-lies.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, how encouraged I am that I do not have to live my life according to the negative, destructive OLD MAN conclusions…and sin. How glad I am that I have a choice. Today, I am making that choice: to allow You to destroy the works of the father-of-lies in my life…to allow Your Spirit to put to death the conclusions that have controlled my spirit, soul, and body, so that I may live.