Strength in Temptation through the Spirit

What about temptations to sin and trials? Do you feel weak? Many of us feel weak and there is reason for us to feel weak. But you see, we realize that God has blessed us with access to the Holy Spirit through faith and prayer. So it is not true that I do not have power. People say, Well, I can’t help it! No, that is not true of a Christian. We have been born again and so we are new creatures. We have been made spiritually alive. We have the Holy Spirit. People say, I know I should do that, but you know, I have to sin. I understand that it feels that way, but it is not true, and we can turn to God and say, Oh, Lord, let me let me grow into the man I ought to be. Let me love the way I ought to love. I have this sin here; help me with that; give me power with that!  Now, if I, an earthly father, could answer prayers like that from my earthly children, would I do it? You know that I would. Your heavenly Father loves you more than any earthly father, and he is able and he will give you the power through the Holy Spirit. You have riches, you have power, you have blessings, spiritual blessings in the heavenly realms. Know that you do and act upon them.¹

Dr. Richard D. Phillips