DAY 11: It's Time to Die

Our society is inundated with secular thoughts and ideologies. It’s all about “me.” What can I get? How much money can I make? How far can I get ahead? More, more, more, I need more! I need to go to the best schools, to have the best career, to be better than everyone else. Do what makes you happy. Do what feels good – because if it feels good, it must be good. Follow your heart! Me, me, me, me, me. 

But this life of holiness is in direct opposition to what society tells us. This life of holiness requires us to give up ourselves in complete surrender. This life of holiness requires us to die to self and to live for CHRIST. Check this out: 

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NLT

This life of holiness requires death. JESUS died for us – how much more should we be willing to give our lives for HIM? 

In this life of holiness, we must count the cost. We must practice the pursuit. And then we will receive the reward. 

Count the Cost 

The cost is great. It requires us to renounce, to forsake, to give up our lives, our passions, our pursuits, and our desires. Galatians 5:24-25 says: 

“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.” Galatians 5:24-25 NASB

Let’s take just a minute to consider: What are the things that you are most passionate about in this life? Video games, sports, looking beautiful, your friends, your career, your education, your money, something else? According to this Scripture, we crucify those passions and those desires! We put them to death so that they don’t even exist anymore. In fact, in the book of Luke, JESUS says: 

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—and yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26-27 TLV

What?!? We are supposed to hate our own family??? JESUS uses this to illustrate how fully our devotion must be to HIM, over everyone and everything else. This is not a matter of putting HIM first in your list of priorities, with other priorities closely following. No – this is a matter of HIM being the only thing that matters. There should not even be a comparison or a competition! There should be nothing else on our list of priorities. Why? Because everything else has been crucified. 

There is no comparison with JESUS. There is no competition with JESUS. There is only JESUS. 

In the same passage of Scripture, JESUS goes on to say: 

“So in the same way, whoever does not renounce [give up] all that he has, cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33

This, brothers and sisters, is the cost. 

Practice the Pursuit 

So, once we have given up everything, then what’s left? We pursue HIS passions, HIS desires, HIS purpose for our lives. The Apostle Paul describes this in the book of Colossians: 

“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 NLT

It is very important to replace the old with the new. If we don’t, then the old temptations will come back and try to take over your life again. Replace the old cycles with new cycles. Replace old friends with new friends. Replace old hobbies with new hobbies. Replace old TV shows with new TV shows, or better yet, by spending quality time in the Presence of the LORD. 

Receive the Reward 

Don’t be discouraged – this is simply the fight for holiness. And there is a reward. Check this out: 

“Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.” Romans 6:5-8 NLT

Sin loses it power in our lives! Hallelujah! And not only that – when we die to ourselves, we gain true, eternal, lasting life with KING JESUS! Hallelujah! 

In this fight for holiness, in this death to self, we must realize that KING JESUS CHRIST is not concerned about our happiness. HE is concerned about how holy HE is in you. 

It’s time to die. 

Prayer:  

KING JESUS CHRIST, I willingly surrender everything to YOU. All of my passions, all of my desires, all of my relationships, all of my dreams mean nothing. I put these things to death, and I choose YOU. YOU are my passion. YOU are my desire. YOU are Who I long to live for. Please continue to help me in this fight for holiness. Thank YOU, LORD. In JESUS’ Name, amen. 

“When the man went out eastward with a line in his hand, he measured a 1,000 cubits. Then he led me into the water—water to the ankles. 4 Again he measured a 1,000, and led me into the water—water to the knees. Again he measured a 1,000, and he led me into the water—water up to the waist. 5 Again he measured a 1,000, and now it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen, water to swim in—a river that could not be crossed.” Ezekiel 47:3-4

HOLY SPIRIT brought verses 3-4 into my view sometime last week and I kept thinking about the 1,000 cubits. When I searched the internet, I discovered that a thousand cubits is 1,750 feet. This is striking because the first time the angel measured a thousand cubits, the water only came up to Ezekiel’s ankle! Ask yourself, dear reader, how far have you gotten into knowing the LORD? If 1,750 feet only got to Ezekiel’s ankle, then where am I in the River of GOD?

What river are you swimming in?

The enemy has his own river, funny enough. Let us take a brief look at Revelation 12:15-16.

“And from out of his mouth, the serpent spewed water like a river after the woman, in order to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth came to the aid of the woman. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had spewed from his mouth.” Revelation 12:15-16 TLV

The river the enemy has for this world can only drown anyone who steps into it. This river is meant for drowning and nothing else. It comes in fast; the people caught up in it don’t notice the speed at which the flood is coming. This river comes in like a flood and destroys; it is meant for the children of GOD, those HE has preserved as HIS own. But one thing I find very interesting here is that the earth opened up and swallowed the river.

Do you feel overwhelmed at this moment, like you are losing your breath? Do you feel like flood waters are crashing over you? Remind the earth of Revelation 12 and ask the LORD to open up the earth so it can swallow up the river that has come from the enemy’s mouth.

Interesting enough, as I researched about the river that satan has, I noticed that the Euphrates River is attributed to the enemy too. See Revelation 16:12:

“The sixth angel poured out his bowl over the great river Euphrates; and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.” Revelation 16:12

As I looked into the Euphrates River, I found that the first war took place in that region (see Genesis 14). Nimrod began his kingdom there (see Genesis 10:8–12). Babylonian idolatry sprang up in the region and will be judged there (see Zechariah 5 and Revelation 18).

Pride, what a deceiver pride is! Pride can make you think that you have gotten very deep in the LORD. Pride can slowly dull your senses and have you standing forever in ankle-deep water. Renounce pride, sin, idolatry, anger, and unforgiveness in JESUS’ Name.

But the River of the LORD is slow moving; there is no destruction here. The LORD might be slow (in our timing) but HE will never delay. HIS timetable is very much different than ours. This is HIS way of doing things; HE does not move at our pace. We would expect 1,750 feet to be over our heads, but it is only at our feet. The ways of the LORD indeed are way past discovering.

Before we pray, I want to ask you to do something. As I stated in the beginning, a thousand cubits is 1,750 feet. I will ask you to please multiply 1,750 by four – remember, the angel measured four times. What is your answer? What is the first digit of your answer? Brethren, I was floored! The number seven is GOD’s number. It was not a mistake that HE had the angel measure four times; HE was reaching out to us in our time, telling us that River is fully HIM!

Prayer:

LORD, may we see YOU more clearly, know YOU more dearly, follow YOU more nearly, day by day. Let us not get weary of YOUR speed; forgive us for being attracted to the river of this world, the river that drowns. Let us steadily grow in YOU until we no longer have control to stand in YOUR River, in JESUS’ Name!

Just admit it. We need help. We can’t live this life without help...especially a life of holiness! In fact, JESUS HIMSELF taught the disciples to pray that the FATHER would help us and deliver us from evil. Check this out: 

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” Matthew 6:13 TLV

This week we are discovering what it means to renounce evil. One definition of “renounce” is to separate oneself. And in this Scripture, the word “deliver” means to draw to oneself. This gives an image of JESUS delivering – drawing us to HIMSELF – while we are renouncing – separating ourselves from evil. We are literally going towards CHRIST and away from everything that is not like HIM. 

As we discussed previously, renouncing takes action.  

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” Titus 2:11-12 ESV

So, as JESUS is delivering us, drawing us close to HIM, we are responding in like manner by renouncing – separating ourselves from, forsaking – ungodliness and worldly passions. We choose to be self-controlled, upright, and godly. We give up the one (ungodliness) for the other (righteousness in CHRIST). 

One of my daily prayers is asking the HOLY SPIRIT to reveal any place that I may have come into agreement with evil – whether intentionally or inadvertently. Why? Because I want to give up the one (ungodliness) for the other (righteousness in CHRIST) – renouncing evil agreement and being delivered to JESUS. 

Well, thank GOD that HE hears and answers prayers! This week, we have had several kids staying with us. As we sat down to watch TV together one afternoon, we noticed that the first show that appeared under our “watched” list was: “Crystals: Healing, Manifestation & Alchemy.” Our family looked at each other in astonishment. We know very well that crystals do not have healing powers – only GOD is the ONE who heals. And we know that when we watch these types of shows, we come into agreement with the evil that it is publicizing and supporting.  

It wasn’t until the following day that we also found that a trial subscription has been started – through our account – with Gaia, a channel that offers a “unique blend of yoga, meditation, personal transformation and alternative healing content.” So, not only had someone decided to begin to watch the “Crystals” show (which was offered on Gaia), but they also started a trial subscription to a channel that screams, “Watch out! You want evil? We got it!”  

We discovered that it was one of the children who is staying with us for a short time. My husband immediately cancelled the subscription and hid the remote controls to the TV. I immediately anointed the TV and renounced every evil agreement. Why? Because even though we did not intentionally purchase anything that does not please GOD, someone used our account to do so. So, we inadvertently came into agreement with evil. 

But GOD is gracious. HE answered our prayer to deliver us from evil.  

And HE will do the same for you.  

Are you willing to sacrifice for HIM? Are you willing to give up – separate yourself from, forsake – evil, and draw near to KING JESUS CHRIST?  

If so, join me in this prayer: 

FATHER, I am ready. I am ready to surrender everything to YOU. My greatest desire is to come near to YOU. But I really need YOUR help because I know that it may not be easy. Please deliver me from evil. Draw me close to YOU. Show me where I’ve come into agreement with evil, whether intentionally or inadvertently. LORD, I repent, and in JESUS’ Name, I renounce every evil agreement. I dedicate myself to YOU, LORD. Thank YOU for helping me. Thank YOU for delivering me from evil. In JESUS’ Name, amen. 

A preschooler does yoga trances in school as part of the curriculum. A sixth-grade class makes clay models of idols (false “gods”) in a history lesson and places them around the classroom to “ward away evil spirits.” Third graders participate in mindfulness activities at school. A 12-year-old boy kills himself as a result of participating in a social media challenge. Elementary schools welcome “after school satan” clubs. Children’s books on how to perform magic spells are obtainable in libraries, major stores, online, TikTok, etc. YouTube videos explaining how to read tarot cards are easily accessible. Cartoons depict seances around crystal balls summoning evil spirits. 

Spirit animals, self-mutilation, identifying as another gender or even as an animal, using “they/them” pronouns, collecting and wearing crystals – all of these have become acceptable in today’s society. 

As you can see, we are confronted every day with evil and, if we aren’t careful, we come into agreement with it through the music that we listen to, through the things that we do or wear, through the social media that we accept, through all of the things that were just mentioned. 

During this 21-Day Fast in our Fight for Holiness, our focus for the first week has been on repentance. Now, during this second week, our focus is on renouncing – forsaking all evil. 

Yes, you have repented – praise GOD!!! Yes, the Blood of JESUS has cleansed you – hallelujah!!! Yes, you are forgiven, thank YOU JESUS!!!  

But in our quest for holiness, we must take the next step: Righteousness. Righteousness is holiness in action. And part of this “action” is to renounce every evil. Check this out: 

“But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways....” 2 Corinthians 4:2a

What does it mean to “renounce?” It means to forsake or deny all of those things that are not pleasing to GOD – the disgraceful, underhanded ways – which means that there is a change in our behavior. 

Think of it this way...when two people get married, part of their covenant (promise) to each other is to “forsake all others.” They commit to each other for the rest of their lives, and they give up all other boyfriends and girlfriends, as well as anything that might tempt them to cheat on their spouses – even in their thoughts. 

And, yes, there is accompanying change in behavior. Some may have to delete phone numbers or block social media accounts so as not to be tempted. Others may have to change the types of friends they hang around. Why? Their focus is now on their husband or wife. They must forsake – renounce – all others. 

In the same way, our focus is now on GOD – not on ourselves, not on our own pleasures, not on what makes us feel good. We have committed our lives to GOD through repentance. Now we are making a covenant (promise) with GOD that we are HIS, totally and completely. And so, we forsake – renounce – all others so as not to cheat on GOD. 

And, yes, there must be an accompanying change in behavior. Take a moment to stop and evaluate yourself: 

1. Is your music pleasing to GOD? If HE was sitting      right beside you while you listen to it, would HE approve? 
2. Is what you wear pleasing to GOD? If HE was standing      in front of you, would HE approve? 
3. Is the language that you use please to GOD? If HE was      talking with you on the phone, would HE approve of the type of language      that you use? 
4. Take a look around your bedroom, around your house,      around your closet – are the things that are there pleasing to GOD? 

If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” then it’s time to make a change. You may have to throw away jewelry, crystals, posters, or clothing. You may have to change your music. You may have to block some people on your phone. 

It’s time to forsake all others. Don’t wait – don't delay – the time is now to renounce every evil agreement, in JESUS’ Name. 

Let us pray: 

Heavenly FATHER, thank YOU for cleansing me of all sin. I now dedicate myself completely to YOU. HOLY SPIRIT, please show me all the ways that I have come into agreement with evil. Please help me to take the action needed to forsake all others. LORD, I don’t want to cheat on YOU. I am all YOURS. Today, I renounce every evil agreement, in JESUS’ Name, and I commit myself totally to YOU. Thank YOU, LORD, for YOUR love, mercy, and grace, and for giving me the strength that I need in this walk with YOU. In JESUS’ Name, amen and amen. 

Earlier we discussed the LORD’s Prayer, the template KING JESUS used to teach HIS disciples how to pray. The first thing KING JESUS addressed was their identity. HE told them they were children of GOD; therefore, they could call GOD, “FATHER.” Next, HE taught them about their purpose.  

Many people ask, “Why am I here, what is my purpose?” KING JESUS spells it out perfectly. Let’s take a look.  

“Therefore, pray in this way: ‘Our Father in heaven, sanctified be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’” Matthew 6:9-10

The reason we are all here on this earth is to do the will of our FATHER in Heaven. That is the reason HE did everything that HE did.  

From the beginning when GOD created man, HIS intention was for man to represent HIM on earth (Genesis 1:26-28). 

How do we know this for sure? Because KING JESUS told us HIS purpose for coming to the earth was to do the FATHER’s will (John 4:34). 

“Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same way.’” John 5:19 NASB

If we are to be molded or conformed into the Image of KING JESUS CHRIST, then that means doing the FATHER’s will is the reason we were created.  

But how do we become like CHRIST? 

1. Renew your mind with the WORD. 

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 TLV

2. Pray and ask the SPIRIT of KING JESUS to change you from the inside out. 

3. Fast – which is what you are doing now. Also consider fasting from social media, switching the music you listen to, and what you are watching. Ask yourself: While the beat, storyline, or even your favorite character is in that super popular movie, does the content glorify GOD? If KING JESUS was in the room with you, would you watch that, listen to it, do that? If the answer is “no,” then stop doing it.  

Your purpose is to do the will of GOD, your FATHER, on the earth. The next question is: How will you know what HIS will is? 

Simple. Ask HIM. If you don’t hear anything, keep asking until you do.  

Pray this prayer: 

KING JESUS, thank YOU for teaching me that I am a son of GOD, the CREATOR of everything. I am asking YOU, oh my FATHER, what did YOU create me to be and to do for YOU? My purpose is to fulfill YOUR will on the earth. Please teach me YOUR will, and I will do it. Amen.  

“He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5 AMP

Do you find that you spend more time in the soul realm rather than in the SPIRIT? How do you respond to stressful situations? When you need healing, promotion or admission into a program, do you give a soulish response or a SPIRIT-led response? 

As I read the verses above, the LORD highlighted verse five. We will break up the verse into two parts:  

First, washing through regeneration (new birth). “Regeneration” here means new birth, new generation. Looking at the birthing process, as many of us know, any animal being birthed goes through a birth canal; blood is often involved. The LORD sees it as an actual bath, not of the vessel like a bathtub, but an actual bath through the Blood of JESUS. 

Next, renewal by the HOLY SPIRIT. The subject of renewal can never come to an end. Imagine if you have a membership to a gym, you have to renew your membership monthly or yearly to stay as an active member. Everyone needs and must be renewed constantly by the HOLY SPIRIT. This keeps us current with the condition of our temple, the temple of the HOLY SPIRIT.  

I looked for a few Scriptures that talk about renewal, and reading these again gave me a sense of why the HOLY SPIRIT is needed.  

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

“So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

2 Corinthians 4:16

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

Without the HOLY SPIRIT there is no renewal taking place. Have you ever seen a house that was over 20, 30, 50 years old and found that there was never a reason to repair something in the house? Roofs last 20 years, at least, air conditioning units have to be replaced after 20 years, washers and dryers have a 10 to 15-year life warranty.  

Now imagine if you meet someone who believes all they need is just salvation, the washing of new birth. This is the moment the brand-new house is ready; the HOLY SPIRIT moves in, and the individual does not see the importance of renewal.  

We have to be at the Thone of Grace and realize that we cannot live a life of holiness without constant renewal in the way we think, respond, live and so on. Renewal will and should birth hunger; it should push us to want to look more like JESUS. It should cause us to look at the state of our temple and keep another score card rating how clean and well-kept the temple is. 

Prayer 

My LORD, renew my thinking, renew my desire for YOU and my continuous disdain for the things of this world. I humbly ask that YOU open my eyes to see where I have gotten comfortable with my growth in YOU and where I am not seeking more of YOU. In JESUS’ Name. Amen!