As children, how many times were we told NOT to do something? In school, how often did a teacher tell us to be quiet or stop talking? Or remember that moment when a police officer pulled you over, and you swore you’d never speed again? Even with the best intentions, we often think we’re doing right—but there’s something in us that draws us toward the opposite of obedience: sin.
The Apostle Paul confesses in Romans 7 that even though he truly desires to do what is good, he often ends up doing the very things he hates. He realizes that this ongoing struggle is not who he is in Christ, but it’s the result of sin still living within him. Deep down, like each of us, his heart delights in God’s law and wants to obey it, yet his human nature pulls him in the opposite direction. This is the perfect explanation of today’s thought, “Yielding to the Wrong Spirit”.
Without even realizing it, we can find ourselves yielding to the wrong spirit. Let’s look at three areas where we often fall into this trap — and how God calls us to respond differently.
Control vs. Serve: Each of us has a desire to control something. Our need to control outcomes, our lives, or people often stems from fear, pride, and a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty. If we are honest, we desire to play God instead of actually placing our trust and faith in Him. Galatians 5:24 is clear when it says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (NIV) We should have a new life that comes from the Spirit. And yes, with this new life we should also walk in unison, harmony, in tandem with the Spirit. As we grow in Christ, we are yielding to His lead rather than trying to take control ourselves. This is a beautiful image of what spiritual surrender looks like-not running ahead of God but walking in step with Him day by day.
Grumble vs. Trust: Grumbling and complaining is one of my pet peeves. They reveal unbelief and ungratefulness. Remember, this is what kept Israel wandering in the wilderness for 40 years instead of about 11 days-seeing God’s power over and over, reaping the benefits of His provision, testimonies of His faithfulness yet doubting that He is still good. I like to think of complaining as stifling our gratitude and weakening our faith. On the other hand, trust keeps our eyes on God and our hearts anchored in His faithfulness even when life circumstances are disappointing. Paul urges believers in Philippians chapter 2 to do everything without grumbling or arguing, so we shine as lights in a dark world. By holding firmly to the Word of life, they bring glory to God and demonstrate a pure, blameless witness to others. (“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16)
Indulge vs. Yield: Indulgence is the starting point of most sin. Whether it’s overeating, gossiping, excessive screen time, lustful thoughts, or anger or resentment, we are saying “yes” to our flesh instead of “yes” to God. When believers indulge, they feed what Christ has already crucified. Paul reminds us in Romans 6 not to let sin control our lives. Instead of using our bodies to serve sinful desires, we should offer ourselves fully to God and use our abilities to do what is right. (“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” Romans 6:12-13) Our goal in sanctification is yielding which invites the Holy Spirit to guide us. This turns temptation into transformation.
Our encouraging takeaway: God calls us to daily surrender and spiritual maturity. Each time we trust Him, walk with the Spirit, and resist indulgence, His power works in us to transform our hearts and reflect His light to the world.