Paul said that the love of Christ compelled him. 2 Corinthians 5:14 says, “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.” The word compel means to hold together or to grip tightly.  Note in my Bible: …there is the sense of constraint, a tight grip that prevents all escape. The love of Christ leaves us no choice except to live our lives for Him.

Yesterday I was proof reading Victorious Heart. It said, “God’s living and powerful word hidden in our heart will pull down the strongholds the enemy set up.  Are you floundering or flourishing in your faith?  Are you allowing God’s word to wash away the debris buried in your unconscious, or are you resisting His promptings?  Are you meditating on God’s word day and night, or are you rehearsing the wrongs done against you?  Your answers to the above questions reveal your true heart.”

This morning I wrote some verses in my journal. Romans 5:17 says, “…those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Verse 21 says, “…grace might reign through righteousness.”

What does reign mean? To triumph! Romans 6:12 says, “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” Reigning over all my sin-thoughts controls how I live, and continuously compels me to obey His word.

We cannot conquer our flesh without the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. Any self-effort comes from our flesh which profits nothing. John 6:63 says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”

His righteousness will have ruling power in our lives as we submit to His way. Walking in His righteousness (conformity to His will in our thoughts, purpose, and actions) will cause us to triumph over every temptation to sin!

Here is a great analogy. Joshua 10:16-27 is the recorded defeat of five enemy kings. I love verse 24. It is a great picture of how we conquer our temptations. It says, “…Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings…” Verse 25 says, “…Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” We wrestle down and subdue our temptations to sin, triumphing over them through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.