Transformational Truth: Christ In You

Galatians 2:20 AKJV
(20)  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

If you’re a believer, you have Christ living inside of you through the Holy Spirit. The Bible says we’re “in him” and He’s “in us” and we’re connected in the same body. In the spirit, we’re one. That’s much easier to believe in your heart than understand in your head.

Thankfully, that’s exactly how Jesus taught His disciples to approach spiritual things. He said, “only believe” (Mark 5:36 & Luke 8:50). He used those words because those were the words giving to Him by God the Father to give to us.

John 12:49 AKJV
(49)  For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

If You’re Struggling, Speak the Truth Aloud

So, if you’re struggling in some area of your life today, take a minute or two and say Galatians 2:20 aloud. Say, “Christ lives in me. I’ve been crucified with Jesus, my sins have been paid for… and now Christ lives in me.”

You can say that about a half a dozen times or so out loud to yourself. When you do, you’re activating something deep down on the inside of you. You can call it your inner-man, or your spirit. Remember, death and life are in the power of the tongue.

The principle works whether you’re conscious of it or not. That’s why talking about problems, the state of the world, what’s new in politics or the news – those conversations will cost you something (Proverbs 18:21).

1 Peter 2:1 – “Lay aside… all evil speaking.”

Titus 3:1,2 – “speak evil of no one.”

James 3:2 – If we can control our speech, we can control all areas of our lives.

How Can Evil Enter Into Our Lives?

How exactly does the devil, demons or evil spirits gain access into a believer’s life?

If you go strictly by chapter and verse, it appears they use our own words against us to gain access. What we say also affects our thought life and you know how your thoughts can affect you. Speaking and thinking can create a vicious circle.

The alternative is to speak words of faith and life. “Christ lives me in! I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

I’ve occasionally met people who try to be positive just for the sake of being positive. That’s difficult to do for a prolonged period of time. You can develop the habit of always looking for the bright spots in dark places. You can have the type of mindset where you’re seeing the cup as half-full.

Is There Anything To Positive Thinking?

To some degree, you can choose to be positive. The Bible, however, gives us many reasons to speak words of life instead of words of death. Some choose to remain afraid and doubt either God’s willingness or ability to help. The “self-talk” part of your life is where you can rehearse and dwell upon either good or evil.

Remember, we live in a fallen world. Jesus came on a rescue mission. Yes, we can enjoy God’s blessings, healing and provision in the here and now. Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full.”  The true treasures, however, are on the other side of the veil.

1 Corinthians 13:12 AKJV
(12)  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

For the Individual – The Time Really Is Short

Maybe you can think of certain times in your life that seemed to drag on forever? Looking back, you now see them as passing moments in time.

The older you get, the faster time seems to move.

The Bible supports this in many different passages. We’re here for a moment in time, and then we’re gone.

For a believer, it’s good news. The heavenly world is filled with amazing things, not to mention being reunited with those in Christ who’ve gone before us.

But not everyone has a happy ending awaiting them on the other side.

Like the ark that saved Noah and his family in the ancient world, the door to this free gift of life won’t stay opened to the individual forever.

Joel 3:14 AKJV
(14)  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Christ In You

So, let me conclude by saying – don’t self-talk yourself into a life of ongoing fear, doubt and double-mindedness. If you literally have Christ in you – what is there to be afraid of?

I’m using the world “literally” in the context of it being a reality, even though it’s not a physically thing we can weigh or measure. Spiritual things are just as real as material things, they just exist in another dimension. The truth is, it takes an effort on your part of remain conscious of the spiritual realm or reality.

The natural part of you is easily engaged with the visible world. But your spirit person on the inside, that’s the part of you that contacts God’s world. That’s the part that requires you to walk by faith and not by site. The Bible tells us what exists there because we can’t see it with our natural eyes. The choice is ours. We can believe it or reject it. Does that make sense? That’s why the Bible us not to be carnally minded.

Romans 8:5-9 AKJV
(5)  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
(6)  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(9)  But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

According to verse 9, we’re not in the flesh but in the Spirit if the Spirit of God dwell in you. If you wait until you “feel” like that’s true, you’ll never experience very much in this lifetime. To be spiritually minded is life and peace.

At the end of the day, life and peace sounds pretty good doesn’t it?

It’s there for the taking. All you have to do is make the choice to believe.

2 Corinthians 4:13 AKJV
(13)  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;