The Power of With Having the weapons and even using them is not all there is to an effective security system against incoming threats. An identity with right and wrong will determine how and when the weapons are used in a way that won’t end up being more destructive than protective. Even the smallest association with evil can turn an adequately armed security official into an armed servant of evil. If an attempt at doing good is coming from a compromised nature, only bad things can result. As the choice of associates is a powerful impact on this understanding of good vs evil, whom we choose to be with can be as important as any weapons we may wield. Who is walked with determines the direction of one’s own steps. To set one’s self on the straight and narrow is to leave off walking with any that are straying to the left or right. As human beings living in a fallen world, we each occupy bodies that have been barraged with worldly notions and passions. We have walked together with this flesh and have become servants to its destructive demands. Just getting the right things to say and becoming loaded with the truth will not be enough in itself to overcome evil tendencies and threats. Without complete separation from any walking with the flesh, a righteous path will never be kept. Paul compares this to being married to someone and not being free to join with someone else until there is a death of that original mate. It’s only in Christ that this is possible as He effectively put to death all sinful identity and made it possible to walk together with Him in a new union of righteousness. We no longer have to walk together with the flesh and its demands, but by the Spirit, all those destructive tendencies can be put to death. With every choice of a walk with Him, there is a choice to be free from that old destructive relationship. We are freed from a compromised evil association to walk in newness of life, uncorrupted by the flesh and its condemnation. Notes Walk determines freedom Romans 8:1 (NKJV) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. The walk with/in the Spirit silences the voice of the flesh Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. To unite with Christ – must have death of the flesh Romans 7:1-4 (NLT) 1 Now, dear brothers and sisters—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living? 2 For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. 3 So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries. 4 So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. Who delivers from sin nature in flesh? Romans 7:25 (NLT) 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Take heart with Him John 16:33 (NLT) 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” We live from who we’re with Romans 8:5-7 (NKJV) 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. Our choice of fellowship determines our submission Romans 8:8-9 (NLT) 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) By choosing the Presence over the flesh – choosing Life over death Romans 8:12-14 (NLT) 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Our hearts united with His by the Spirit Romans 8:27 (NLT) 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Fellowship with the Spirit secures God’s favor Romans 8:31 (NLT) 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Safe against all threats with Him Romans 8:37-39 (NLT) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Overview: Having all the weapons of the Word will not be effective against the threat of sin apart from fellowship. Choosing to walk with Him puts to death the old nature of sin and death and frees to live in liberty from its threats. There is no pleasing God and obtaining His favor without walking with Him exclusively. By the Holy Spirit we are enabled to walk continually in His presence where nothing can separate us from His love and protection. Our power and victory are determined by our fellowship with Him and His Word. Prayer: Father, your presence is my passion and my heart delights in You above anything my flesh demands. I set my heart and mind on You now and savor every moment and every step with You. By Your Spirit fill me now with joy in Your presence that produces only those ways that are in line with Your heart. Declarations: I no longer have to walk according to the flesh and be vulnerable to its failures. By walking with Christ by the Spirit, His presence delivers me from any sin nature as I identify as His child. The Holy Spirit empowers me to pray for those things that are united with the Father’s heart and purpose. Because I walk in His presence, pleasing Him through my unity with Him, God is on my side as my Defense and Protection. No threat against my eternal place at His side can separate me from His love that is mine in Christ.