HELP!
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV)
Theme: The Holy Spirit is our helper.
UNDEFEATED
“Undefeated.” An enviable title in sports, chess, even in battle. Not so enviable when it refers to sin in our lives. When sin is undefeated, it causes hopelessness, despair, and destruction. The Holy Spirit wants what is good for us. Our flesh wants things that will keep us from doing what our souls were made for, as we read in Galatians 5:16-17. When our sin issues rule, they take first place. They become gods before God. Until we address the sin issues, we can’t really serve God wholeheartedly.
FACING A GIANT
When the army of Israel, led by King Saul, was facing the Philistines (1 Samuel 17), an undefeated champion named Goliath came out to taunt them. King Saul and his soldiers were all too afraid to face Goliath. The champion Goliath stalled the entire army. Likewise, undefeated sin stalls us until we face it. Every soldier facing Goliath was a part of God’s army. Not one of them chose to access the power of God to face the giant. Sometimes, undefeated sin is substance abuse, pornography, or sex outside of marriage. Maybe it’s anger, unwholesome talk, or too much social media. Everyone is prone to some addictive behavior. Call it out in your own life. Name that undefeated “Goliath” sin. Realize that however powerful it seems, it is only a sin, and it can be defeated with power from the Holy Spirit.
LIONS AND BEARS
King Saul wanted to send a solder instead of a youth. So, David reminded the king of his past successes and the source of his power. When we remember defeating past giants, it gives us courage to face today’s giant. David told King Saul, “‘Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.’ And David said, ‘The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul then said to David, ‘Go, and the Lord be with you!’” (1 Samuel 17:36-37, ESV).
VICTORY STORIES
When you have experienced victory by the power of the Holy Spirit, remember God’s faithfulness and that victory. Let it propel you to depend on His power to defeat sin again! If you don’t yet have that experience, ask your friends about victories won by the Holy Spirit’s power. Recognize God’s faithfulness to others. Let their stories lend you courage. Every person who has asked Jesus to be the Lord and Leader of his/her life has power available through the Holy Spirit to defeat the undefeated. If you don’t know Jesus, take care of that now. Call a friend who knows Jesus, ask about Him in the weekend service chat, or reach out to me and I’ll help you. David had to face that first lion in the field to have a victory story. The Holy Spirit empowers us to defeat sin!
Make it Personal: How has the Holy Spirit helped you in battle? Which victory stories would you tell to an authority like King Saul, in order to show that you can again overcome?
Pray: God, You have all the power to overcome. Please help me. Send Your Holy Spirit as I go up against the Goliath sin in my life. Help! Give me courage. Remind me of Your victories in my life. Send Your Holy Spirit, who is my Helper. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Additional Reading: 1 Samuel 17:33-37, 41-51
Weekly Memory Verse: "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25 (ESV)