Give UP YOUR OWN WAY

Matthew 16:24-26 (NLT) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Why do some find living in the flesh easier than walking in the Spirit?

It might be because we view our temporary life here on earth, from our human perspective that craves and most times caves into the flesh that we so often feed.

1 John 2:15-17 Amplified Bible (AMP). Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever. 

Matthew 16:24-26 (NLT) Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 

We have to be willing to give up:

The need to be right all the time

Greed and selfishness

Wanting to be the centre of attention

Being prideful of who we are and what we do

Our jealous hearts towards of others

The hate that divides us

Our self-righteousness attitudes

The desire to control situations and people

Our pity parties

The need to manipulate people 

These are the things that feed our sinful desires and makes them stronger. And when the flesh is made stronger, it only craves more.

These are the things that satisfy our sinful nature. Instead, God asks us to give up our old ways.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT). throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Colossians 3:8-18 (NLT). But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Some will continue to argue that resisting sin is too difficult – that the temptation to live out our sinful desires is too great at times – that the people and circumstances around us are the reasons for our weakness. But God would say…

1 Corinthians 10:13 (AMP) No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].

Matthew 26:41 (AMP) Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

The condition of our hearts is what controls us and if our hearts are conditioned by the way the world operates, then we are walking contrary to God.  

Are you willing to give up your control over to God?

Are we willing to GIVE UP YOUR OWN WAY in exchange, for love and humility and trust?

Are you willing to give up control and yield to the Holy Spirit? 

Galatians 5:16-18  (AMP) But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. 17 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. 18 But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

After all, the Holy Spirit was given to us to help us through this life.

John 14:26 (AMP) But theHelper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

And when you give up your own way, the Holy Spirit will produce in you a way better attitude and an entirely different life that what the world experiences!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

So, give up your ways and live the new life that God purchased for you through the blood of Jesus.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (AMP) that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], 24 and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation.