Power, authority, and control
At any given moment during any day, there is always someone or something vying for power, authority, or control over our senses. This may sound extreme, but it is true nonetheless. When we belong to Christ, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Jesus promises us that the Holy Spirit will help us always. The Holy Spirit also comforts us. The Holy Spirit reveals truth and provides wisdom. With all of these gifts of the Spirit (and there are more), how is it that we still stray from God? Our emotions can lead us astray. Our thoughts can lead us astray. Both of these are gifts from God, too. But left unchecked, or if we give into unrighteous ones, in that moment, they reign over us! When we see Jesus as Lord - over it all - we are free from being controlled by anyone or anything else. If we are in the habit of giving in to negative emotions or thoughts, or if we have conquered them but they still rear their ugly heads occasionally, that...