Year End Review 2023  –  Keep in Step with the Spirit

All year, former procrastinators, I’ve been aware of my need to learn about the work of God’s Holy Spirit.   As I submit to His leadership more, I’m amazed by our triune God – and so grateful for His active presence in my life and yours.  He gets all the credit for every way we put off the old procrastinating man and put on the new man enjoying diligence and its rewards.  The following stand out to me from this year’s focus.

It’s critical I discern the Holy Spirit’s voice or prompting from others. His voice is consistent with Holy Scripture. 

Sometimes a pressing priority conflicts with others and shifts life out of balance.  Meeting with God daily steadies me as I cope.  Routine and priorities provide stabilizing direction.

Temptation is the pressure to give in to easy or immediate pleasure.  Procrastination provides momentary pleasure through delay. The old self loves it.

Why resist temptation?  Because God has created me to glorify Him.  He gives greater good and joy.

God has defeated Satan.  I fight from the position of Christ’s victory.  I wear the armor of Ephesians  6.

Memorize scripture to arm myself against temptation.

Meditation on scripture is a way of listening to the Lord.

Do not rely on my abilities to avoid temptation.

Emotions want immediate gratification.  They require restraint when they entice me toward wrong.

God has equipped me to exercise self-control, a fruit of His Spirit.  Self-control grows as I use it.

How I feel does not dictate my behavior.  It’s a privilege to be taught self-control.

It takes self-control to develop the other fruit of the Spirit. 

Magnify the Lord, not the temptation.

Desire God’s rewards because He delights in giving them to His children.

With a set pattern/time for working on something, I’m less tempted to laziness or diversion.

Building in time for fun helps me resist temptation when it beckons.

Having the armor and God’s Word does not give me license to loiter where there is temptation.
1) Physically run away. 2) Make no provision for giving in – no loop holes to choose. 3) Think ahead.  What do I know or need to learn before getting into that?

Do not think about how pleasant a temptation would be to give in to.  Don’t make excuses for giving in.  Through these, the devil gets a foothold.

When I focus on not thinking about something, that is what I’m thinking about.  Instead, stick a hose in the “bucket” of my mind and turn on the “water” I should think about – which will flood out tempting thoughts.

The following chart helps me examine my heart:  (I have been forgiven much.)

God created me intending to change me. (Romans 8:29) I’m in Christ.  The Father is pleased with Jesus, and thus, with me.  He is changing me bit by bit to enjoy and display His glory.

What helps you keep in step with the Spirit?