Ben Stuart joins us with a message from Passion 2015, encouraging us to struggle well instead of vying to be liberated from the struggle. Our fight should not be to live a life without any problems. Our fight should be to have unrestrained intimacy with the Lord, who knows our wiring and tendencies.
Scripture References
14.but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.16.Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17.Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18.He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
15.I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
7.Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
15.And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring3:15 Or seed and hers;
he will crush3:15 Or strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
18.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
22.Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
41.“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
14.Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.13:14 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
2.Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
2.Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
About the Contributor
Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served as the executive director of Breakaway Ministries on the campus of Texas A&M. He also earned a master’s degree in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, live to inspire and equip people to walk with God for a lifetime. View more from the Contributor.