Why Won’t I Let God Take Control?

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CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Hard Questions

Why Won’t I Let God Take Control? By Rick Warren — Aug 8, 2015 “Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires …. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Romans 6:12-13 NLT, second edition) Every day you are controlled by something. You may be controlled by your own ego or by the expectations of other people. You may be controlled by fear or guilt or resentment or bitterness. You may be controlled by a substance or a habit. But you are controlled by something every day. Freedom comes when you choose what’s going to control you. When you choose Jesus Christ to be in control of your life, when you are mastered by the Master, you can master everything else. If God is not number one in your life, something else is, and it’ll control you to a negative degree. When Christ is in control of your life, he always moves you in the right direction. Romans 6:12-13 says, “Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires …. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God” (NLT, second edition). What are the steps in this choice to let Christ have control? Admit that you’ve been trying to play God. Admit that you can’t change on your own. Humbly ask God to help you change. Be honest with someone else about the things that need to change in your life. Give Jesus Christ total ownership of your life. Do you really want to change? Are you willing to do these things? You say, “I’m so tired of trying and failing.” Stop trying. Instead, start trusting. God gives you the option to either depend on him or depend on yourself. The result is either freedom or frustration. Why not give it all to Christ? What have you got to lose? Talk It Over What character traits or circumstances keep you from giving control of your life to God? In what ways have you been trying to play God? What do you think it means to give yourself completely to God?

Today’s Scripture

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” (Psalm 84:11, NIV)

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Your Sun and Shield

God’s heart is to pour out His favor and goodness in your life. He longs to be your sun and shield. What does the sun do for us? It lights our way; it keeps us warm; it nourishes the plants of the earth so that we can have sustenance. The earth is sustained by its relationship to the sun, and God wants to sustain you through your relationship with Him. He wants to be your shield of protection against all the fiery darts of the enemy. He wants to light and direct your path. Are you ready to receive Him as your sun and shield today? If you’ve been relying on anything else, let it go and put your trust in Almighty God. Open your heart and receive all that He has for you. Receive His favor, blessing and protection today. Let His light shine on your path so you can move forward into the life of victory He has for you!

A Prayer for Today

“Father, today I open my heart and mind to You. I receive Your blessing and favor and ask that You direct my every step. Show me Your ways that I may walk with You today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen." ​ PS. ​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC617kE1maU