Romans 8:26-27
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26,27)
Every battle plan for overcoming the enemies of your soul that have most successfully assaulted needs to be custom designed for you. And it may change for each stage of life, whether the temptations and uncertainties of youth, the frustrations and failed dreams of middle years or the regrets and anxieties of age. Where are you today in your spiral up toward likeness to Jesus? It’s time now for the Big Assignment. Don’t let the brevity of today fool you; it may be the most demanding of all!
It’s time to write out your own battle plan for overcoming the failure that most grieves the Holy Spirit and embarrasses you. This is for real, not just an assignment to be fulfilled. Create a strategic plan you’ll use for a lifetime! Before you begin, however, pause and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom. You’ll need it! The secret of success in the Christian life, including consistent success in overcoming temptation, does not ultimately depend on a technique, a strategy, or your own activity. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit within who is the overcomer. But the indwelling powerful One does not displace your personality with His. Rather, He is a personal companion, living in you to…
- strengthen you when you falter
- remind you of truth from His Word when your focus is blurred
- point out the enemy when you’re under attack
- comfort you
- lift you up when you fall
- forgive you when you fail
- guide you when you’re confused
- sensitize your moral judgment by His Word to discern right from wrong
- strengthen your will when you waver
Glorious as that is, it’s not all He does! He prays for us when our prayers fall short (Romans 8:26,27): “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God,” and as we rely on him, he enables us to pray effectively. It is God the Spirit who gave us his Word and the Church and it is he who enables us to understand and appropriate that Word in the face of testing and to live in the kind of relationship with other Christians that will make us overcomers together.
That’s the glorious Spirit of the living God! Hallelujah! Celebrate!