Captive No More

We are meant to be conquorers, in fact more than conquorers through Christ. An incorrect belief about temptation can
prevent us from that victory. "Oh no! Satan sure knows my
weakness." That is the wrong way to see the temptation. The
temptation is to be rejoiced over. It is the oportunity to
mount up as victor. Each temptation can be your stipping
stones to higher ground. Read how Paul rejoiced over his
thorn in the flesh. 2Cor.12:9,10. Also James 1:12

I strongly recommend reading
"The Spirit of the Disciplines ' by Dallas Willard.

I finally am understanding how God changes lives.

His chapter called 'Saint-Paul's psychology of redemption' is alone worth the price of the whole book. In this chapter he deals specifically with Rom 6-8 but in a way I never saw before. Paul is seen as a master psychologist in showing us how to change.
God redeems us from light to darkness but we do indeed need to put in effort to change. The disciples and Jesus practices certain discipines to be disciplined. How can we be any different? Before reading this book I didn't understand the why and how of it. A real eye opener to anyone who really, really wants to change. This is not about works vs grace. It is overcoming a bad habit with the habit of righteousness. It is getting the body to be under our control and not vice-versa.

kalsteve