Living FREE

In our daily lives, we often find ourselves struggling with temptations, battling our inner desires, and feeling spiritually unfulfilled. But what if there was a way to find true satisfaction and victory over each and every one of these challenges? The solution lies in a simple yet profound act: daily choosing to lift our soul to God.

Learn more about the ministry of The Purity Coach at  http://www.thepuritycoach.com

Transcript

Are you tired of living in bondage to your sinful habits? In Gal. 5:17 Paul reminds us that the flesh is in conflict with the spirit – and the spirit is in conflict with the flesh. They are opposed to each other making it difficult to do what is right. In Romans 7 Paul talks about how the things he wants to do, he doesn’t; and the things he doesn’t want to do he keeps on doing. Can you relate?

Welcome to The Point of Purity Podcast. A powerful weekly study filled to the brim with the all the tools from Scripture you will ever need to build a lasting life of Biblical purity and godliness. I’m your host Steve Etner – author, National Speaker, Certified Professional Mentor TM and Purity Coach for The Pure Man Ministry and this is Episode #206 entitled “Living Free.”

In our daily lives, we often find ourselves struggling with temptations, battling our inner desires, and feeling spiritually unfulfilled. But what if there was a way to find true satisfaction and victory over each and every one of these challenges? The solution lies in a simple yet profound act: daily choosing to lift our soul to God.

The concept of "lifting up our souls" comes from Psalm 25:1, where David declares, "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul." This isn't just a poetic phrase; it's a powerful declaration of surrender and trust. When we lift our souls to God, we're choosing to yield every aspect of our lives to His authority and care.

But what does this really mean in daily practice? It's about recognizing that it’s NOT all about me. As 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us, "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price." When we truly internalize this truth, it changes how we approach every decision and desire in our lives.

The battle we face is often against (what I call) "King Me" - that part of us that wants to sit on the throne of our hearts, be in charge, making decisions based on our own flawed and finite whims and wishes rather than God's perfect and righteous will. This internal struggle is vividly described in Galatians 5:17 where Paul says, "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please." 

Surrendering to God isn't a one-time event; it's a daily, moment-by-moment choice. Jesus himself said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). This daily surrender is crucial because our sinful nature – "King Me" – doesn't just roll over and quit. It's a constant, never-ending battle that requires vigilance and commitment.

But why is this soul-surrender so important? Because when we try to find satisfaction in our own ways, in the things of this world, we're left feeling empty and unfulfilled. It's like trying to quench our thirst with salt water; it only leaves us more parched. As Psalm 42:1-2 beautifully expresses, "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." 

The good news is that God promises to satisfy our deepest longings when we turn to Him. Psalm 107:9 assures us, "For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." Jesus himself invites us: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" (John 7:37).

But how do we practically lift our souls to God? It starts with humility. James 4:6 tells us that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." We must recognize our need for God and our inability to truly satisfy ourselves. This humility leads us to seek God earnestly through His Word and prayer.

Reading and meditating on Scripture is crucial in this process. In Psalm 119:105, David describes God's Word as "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." In other words, Scripture guides us, shows us where we're going wrong, and illuminates the right way forward. When we fill our minds with God's truth, it begins to literally transform our desires and actions.

Another key aspect of lifting our souls to God is acknowledging Him as our helper. Psalm 54:4 declares, "Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul." When we're facing temptations or struggles, we often feel alone. But the truth is, the almighty Creator of the universe is on our side, ready to help us in our time of need.

As we surrender to God and seek His help, we begin to experience the freedom and satisfaction that only He can provide. We find that His ways truly are better than our own. As Isaiah 58:11 promises, "The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."

However, this journey of surrender and satisfaction isn't always easy. There will be times when we stumble, when "King Me" seems to regain control. But the beauty of God's grace is that we can always come back to Him. We can always lift our souls up once again, knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive and restore us (1 John 1:9).

In the end, lifting our souls to God is about recognizing that He alone is worthy of our worship and allegiance. It's about daily dethroning "King Me" and choosing to allow the true King to reign supreme in our hearts. As we do this, we discover a peace and contentment that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

So, from this point forward, let's make the choice to lift our souls to God daily. Let's willingly choose to surrender our desires, our plans, our very selves to Him. As we do, we'll find that He is faithful to satisfy our deepest longings and lead us in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Remember, in the words of Psalm 62:1, "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." May we all find that rest as we lift our souls to the One who created us, loves us, and desires to fill us with His goodness.

We all struggle with fully surrendering our souls to God every moment of every day. In our journey through life, we often find ourselves grappling with trust issues - not just with others, but with God Himself. It's a battle that resonates deeply within our souls, as we wrestle with surrendering every aspect of our lives to our Creator. But what if I told you that this very act of trust is the key to living a life free from shame? This daily choice to trust God completely is critical for spiritual growth and freedom from sinful habits.

But what does it mean to truly trust God? "O my God, in you I trust." (Psalm 25:2) These words encapsulate the essence of what it means to fully rely on God. It's not just about believing in Him for salvation; it's about having a bold confidence that results in total security, surety, and peace. It means placing all your weight upon God with the firm conviction He will never fail you.

But why is this kind of trust so difficult, so challenging? Often, our hesitation stems from a worry that if we surrender our desires and "needs" to God, He'll take them away and leave us with nothing in return, or worse, something of lesser value. We worry He won't satisfy our needs or give us the pleasures we think we deserve. This fear reveals a profound misunderstanding of God's character and His love for us.

The reality is, God is trustworthy not because of what He does, but because of who He is. It's an intrinsic part of His nature. As 2 Timothy 2:13 reminds us, He "remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself." This means we can lift up our souls to God, surrendering everything we are and everything we have to His lordship, because He is inherently trustworthy.

But trust begins with knowing. At the root of our trust issues is a lack of truly knowing God. To fully and completely trust God, we must become intimately familiar with Him. This requires investing time daily to read His Word and talk with Him. God's trustworthiness is an unchanging part of His character.

“But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love.” (Jeremiah 9:24) 

As we grow in our relationship with God, we discover that His way is always perfect. Psalm 18:30 declares, "[God's] way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." God's path for us is flawless. We must shift our focus from temporary physical and emotional satisfaction to eternal spiritual growth.

Now, let's talk about shame. Even as we grow in trust, we all face moments of shame – that gut-wrenching feeling that arises when we've dishonored God through disobedience. We've all felt it. We've all tried to hide from it. But here's a revolutionary thought: shame can be a powerful tool in the hands of our loving, forgiving, and merciful God. Instead of condemning us, He uses it to rescue and heal us. Instead of hiding, we're called to face our guilt head-on, turning to God and claiming the forgiveness He promises when we confess our sins (1 John 1:9)

The root of shame often lies in idol worship. Isaiah 42:17 says, "They are turned back and utterly put to shame, who trust in carved idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods.'" When we choose to worship anyone or anything other than God – including our own desires and pleasures – we turn our backs on the Almighty. When we trust in our own ability to satisfy our desires rather than in God, we're essentially bowing down to a worthless image. This is the essence of shame. Isaiah 44:9 warns, "All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit."

But here's the good news: we can live the rest of our lives free from shame. Romans 10:11 proclaims, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." When our focus is entirely upon God, when we're moment-by-moment choosing to dethrone our selfish desires and surrender our souls to His lordship, there is no shame. No sin, no shame. When our thoughts, words, and actions are entirely centered upon glorifying God, choosing daily to surrender every aspect of our lives to His lordship, there is no room for shame because there is no sin. 

Instead of being filled with shame over ungodly behavior, we experience a fullness of joy resulting from an unimpeded relationship with our Creator. Psalm 34:5 beautifully illustrates this: "Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame." When we're truly looking to God for everything, clinging to His Word, and waiting on Him, shame has no place in our lives.

The key to this shame-free life lies in waiting on God. But this isn't the passive waiting we often think of. Rather, as we saw in Psalm 25:3 waiting refers to actively focusing our attention on God, serving Him wholeheartedly. It's about making Him our primary focus, trusting Him completely, and living in total surrender and obedience. 

When we wait on God in this way, putting Him first in everything, we won't be put to shame. Why? Because when He truly is Lord of our lives, we won't sin. It's a simple but profound equation I’ve shared with you before: kNOw sin = kNOw shame.

This truth liberates us from the cycle of shame and hiding that began in the Garden of Eden. Instead of sewing fig leaves to cover our nakedness and hiding among the trees, we can stand confidently before God, clothed in His righteousness.

So, how do we practically apply this in our daily lives? It starts with a decision to trust God fully, even when it's scary. It involves spending time getting to know Him through His Word and prayer. It means surrendering our desires, our fears, and our shame to Him daily.

As we do this, we'll find ourselves echoing the words of the Psalmist: "I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)

Remember, God's promise is clear: "None who wait for [Him] shall be put to shame." This isn't a maybe or a possibly - it's an absolute guarantee. As you focus on serving God, as you make Him your primary focus, you'll find yourself living in a new reality - one where shame has no place.

So today, will you choose to trust God fully? Will you surrender your fears, your passions, desires, and your shame to Him? Will you wait on Him, serving Him with your whole heart? If you do, you'll discover the joy and freedom of living a truly shame-free life.

OK, we’re going to hit the pause button here until next week’s episode as we look forward to continuing this study.

In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about today’s study, or if you’re interested in learning more about The Pure Man Ministry (what we do to help men across the globe find freedom and victory over sexual sin), be sure to visit our website to see the multitude of resources we’ve made available to you – you can find our website at ThePurityCoach.com

One of those resources is a book I’ve written entitled “Are You a Super Man? How to Become God’s Man of Steel.” It’s available on Amazon.com. If you’re a man looking for a 12-week men’s Bible study that you can do with your accountability partner(s) or with your men’s small group (or even by yourself) this book is a must do. “Are You a Super Man of God? Becoming God’s Man of Steel” is a fun look at what it means to be God’s Man of Steel in a world that is Anti-God, Anti-Christ, and Anti-Bible. As Christian men we try to be the Super Man of God that others want, need, even expect us to be. We do fairly well most of the time at presenting the “spiritual man of steel” persona to those around us, yet inwardly we know we are far from being the godly man we want to be.

As a Super Man of God your strength, your ability to effectively live a life that honors and glorifies God, comes directly from the SON. The closer you are in relationship to Jesus Christ, the greater your power to resist the archenemy of your soul (the devil) and watch him flee from you (James 4:7).

Yet, truth-be-told, you also have a weakness. It’s your Kryptonite, that radioactive element of your life before Christ that your spiritual archenemy uses to his advantage. The fact is, when you play around with your Kryptonite, it weakens your will and ability to stand firm and fight the fight of faith.

In this 12-week men’s Bible study you will learn how to identify your Kryptonite, steer clear of it, find your super-spiritual strength as you daily draw closer to the SON, and be the man of steel God has called and equipped you to be. So, let me encourage you to go to Amazon.com today and purchase your copy of “Are You a Super Man of God?”

And if you have not yet subscribed to this podcast, let me encourage you to do so today so you won’t miss any of our upcoming episodes!

So, until next time this is Author, Speaker, Certified Professional Mentor TM and Purity Coach Steve Etner for The Pure Man Ministry reminding you that if you are going to glorify God in your everyday living, He must first be glorified in your every moment thinking.