Hidden with Christ in God

In Malcolm Smith’s book ‘The Power of the Blood Covenant there is a marvellous story about a lady who had a bad habit of gossiping. No matter how hard she tried, she always fell for temptation when it arose and was in despair of ever overcoming it. She felt completely powerless until Malcolm Smith suggested that instead of saying ‘no’ to temptation, she said ‘yes’ to Jesus.

She was utterly transformed as she began allowing the Holy Spirit to take care of this struggle for her. She conquered that bad habit, but it wasn’t in her own strength. It was in the strength of her ‘new, real life’ which was ‘hidden in Christ’. She even turned it to good by praying blessings upon the members of her church, particularly those she had gossiped about in the past.

Maybe we struggle to overcome some bad habit, something which has kept us bound for years and we feel powerless against it. Perhaps we could begin to say ‘yes’ to Jesus, and put the struggle in His hands. He says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light’ (Matthew 11: 29-30).

By allowing Him to work in us and through us we’ll find He gives us strength to overcome temptations as they arise instead of having to battle in our own strength.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I’m aware that I struggle to overcome certain habits. Please forgive me, and enable me to hand over my struggles to You, so that through the power of Your Holy Spirit working in me, I can be an overcomer. I look forward to seeing transformation in my life! Thank You, Lord, Amen.