FREE WILL

 God gives us free will to live as we choose too; or decide to live as He commands us too.  To walk with God, we must live as we are instructed by His Word; we cannot live how we choose to live and walk with God.  The Bible explains in clear detail how a believer should act; so if we live in the flesh (against God’s commands), we are not faithful followers of God. (John 8:42 Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man, who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father.”  Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I speak the truth, why do you not trust me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear because you are not of God.”)

Self-denial of sin is what keeps us in chains, and kills our Spirit of self-control.  If we want to overcome sin and addiction, we must stop nurturing the sin with our thoughts and action.  If we fill our hearts and minds with the Word of God, prayer without ceasing, and worship Him; our flesh will rest.  We must seek God first, and not lean on our own understanding, and He will save us as it is written.  There is so much evil in this world because we do not hear the truth of God's Word, so no one fears His wrath. 

 Father, Your Son death gave us away to be restored to You; but we are not listening, or acting on Your Word.  Lord, teach us that discipline is being set free from the sin of too much freedom, and voluntarily put our will in Your hands. Father, we are a witness that You can break curses; and deliver us from all strong hold on our lives, if we believe and act on Your Word.  Lord, the moment we receive You as our Savior, we are empowered to control ourselves through Your Word.  Lord, You have given us the greatest gifts of all, grace, salvation, and freedom from destructive permissiveness.  God, You’re amazing; and we bear witness that there is no other God, except You Lord.  May Your love, peace and happiness be with us. In Jesus name, we pray Amen