7.56 To “STAND” – to overcome sinful habits and temptations
When we are walking in the fruit of the Spirit, we will be able to stand against sinful habits and temptations. For example, if the fruit of self-control has grown in us, we can overcome the temptations of the flesh, including smoking, alcohol addiction, etc. If we have grown in the fruit of gentleness and patience, we will be able to control our tempers when provoked.
Some believers may experience the supernatural removal of their old desires when they believe they are a new creation (sit), but others have to bear fruit (walk) so that they can overcome sinful habits and temptations (stand).
David Wilkerson – Delivering Gangsters & Drug Addicts
David Wilkerson was a country preacher from Pennsylvania who later founded Teen Challenge, which reaches out to street gang members and drug addicts in New York. In his bestseller book which sold 14 million copies, The Cross and the Switchblade, Wilkerson shares about his amazing story.
When he met Nicky Cruz, a vicious teenage knife-fighter and a leader of the Mau Mau gang, Nicky told Wilkerson, “Go to Hell, Preacher.” He replied, “You don’t think much of me, but I feel different about you. I love you, Nicky.” As Wilkerson took a step towards him, Nicky said, “You come near me, Preacher, I’ll kill you.” He replied, “You could do that, you could cut me into a thousand pieces and lay them out in the street and every piece would love you.”
In a dramatic manner, Nicky was later convicted by the Holy Spirit and received Jesus during an evangelistic meeting organized by Wilkerson. He became a new creation in Christ and experienced inner transformation from within. His anger was replaced by love. His hate was replaced by forgiveness. He went to Bible school and became a fervent minister of the gospel. He shares his inspiring story in the bestseller, Run Baby Run.
Wilkerson also shares about how drug addicts could be delivered from withdrawal effects and the desire for drugs through the baptism in the Spirit. The withdrawal symptoms include intense cravings, shaking with chills, and vomiting, excruciating pain in the nerves, hallucinations and nightmares for 3 full days. Most of them won’t make it and studies show that 64% of the addicts return to their habit. Those who continue on drugs would be like a walking dead. They would be in deep bondage to drugs, both physically and mentally, and only the power of God can deliver them.
Many drug addicts received their deliverance through the baptism in the Spirit. However, there were some who were delivered but fell back into the bondage of sin. Wilkerson realized the importance for them to be continually filled with the Spirit and to be renewed in their minds by the Word.
(Reference: The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson, Chosen Books)
Some believers may experience the supernatural removal of their old desires when they believe they are a new creation (sit), but others have to bear fruit (walk) so that they can overcome sinful habits and temptations (stand).
David Wilkerson – Delivering Gangsters & Drug Addicts
David Wilkerson was a country preacher from Pennsylvania who later founded Teen Challenge, which reaches out to street gang members and drug addicts in New York. In his bestseller book which sold 14 million copies, The Cross and the Switchblade, Wilkerson shares about his amazing story.
When he met Nicky Cruz, a vicious teenage knife-fighter and a leader of the Mau Mau gang, Nicky told Wilkerson, “Go to Hell, Preacher.” He replied, “You don’t think much of me, but I feel different about you. I love you, Nicky.” As Wilkerson took a step towards him, Nicky said, “You come near me, Preacher, I’ll kill you.” He replied, “You could do that, you could cut me into a thousand pieces and lay them out in the street and every piece would love you.”
In a dramatic manner, Nicky was later convicted by the Holy Spirit and received Jesus during an evangelistic meeting organized by Wilkerson. He became a new creation in Christ and experienced inner transformation from within. His anger was replaced by love. His hate was replaced by forgiveness. He went to Bible school and became a fervent minister of the gospel. He shares his inspiring story in the bestseller, Run Baby Run.
Wilkerson also shares about how drug addicts could be delivered from withdrawal effects and the desire for drugs through the baptism in the Spirit. The withdrawal symptoms include intense cravings, shaking with chills, and vomiting, excruciating pain in the nerves, hallucinations and nightmares for 3 full days. Most of them won’t make it and studies show that 64% of the addicts return to their habit. Those who continue on drugs would be like a walking dead. They would be in deep bondage to drugs, both physically and mentally, and only the power of God can deliver them.
Many drug addicts received their deliverance through the baptism in the Spirit. However, there were some who were delivered but fell back into the bondage of sin. Wilkerson realized the importance for them to be continually filled with the Spirit and to be renewed in their minds by the Word.
(Reference: The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson, Chosen Books)
posted by Joshua Lye @ 1:53 AM
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