Conforming to "religion"

After I was saved or what the "church folk" like to say; born again, I assumed that my past was forgiven and now I need to clean myself up. The key word was "I" need to clean "myself" up. It became this long laundry list of things I can't do anymore or at least the things I thought I couldn't do. Not that I had ever read the bible so I based my clean up process on what I've been told how religious people are "suppose" to act. Therefore, I was conforming to man made "religion" instead of being transformed by the Holy Spirit. I cut the top of the weeds off without removing the roots. Now what does that mean? I stopped doing the things that I've spent 27 years doing such as partying, drinking, fornicating, lying, etc... And I thought that magically my life would be pure from this day forward. But just when I thought those things were gone, the weeds grew back stronger than ever. I couldn't understand why I was still wanting and gravitating to these things. It became a internal battle and a mere impossible one at that. I would pick up the bible and read from the beginning because that was what I was told. I learned how the world was created but lets just be honest, that wasn't helping me with the battles I was facing at that particular moment. I kept thinking, when will I get to the part in the scripture that would help me now? I was going to church every Sunday, reading my bible daily, but yet that magical new me that I thought would happen was not reality. I was just the same ole me, only difference was I finally admitted I was sick and in desperate need of Jesus Christ My Lord and Savior. 

Now the question is, how do I become transformed by the Holy Spirit? Or in other words, how do I get rid of the roots? Romans 12:2(NLT) say "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way we think". What does this mean? By reading scripture which is the living word. This will ultimately renew, reeducate, and redirect our minds. The things that the bible teaches is the complete opposite of the world. For instances, Romans 12:17  (NLT) says "never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable". Now this may ruffle some feathers like it did mine because I've been taught by the "world" that if somebody do me wrong then do them wrong. My actions then became justifiable because they did me wrong first therefore, I am not held accountable for my wrong doing. Meaning I didn't feel sorry for them because I believed they deserved it. But thats completely contrary to what the bible teaches. Cause if you think about it, the bible tells us not to repay evil with more evil. Well why does it say that? Because when we do evil in return, it makes them "think" there actions are justifiable. That's the key words "think there justifiable". Romans 12:20 (NLT) "if your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads". So He is basically saying, by doing good even after they have done you wrong, they have no reason to justify there actions and in return they will carry around that guilt or shame. We all know how heavy that burden can be. I know I have did wrong, knew I was wrong, and I couldn't justify it. The burden of shame I carried around kept me from doing that again. Are you keeping up with me?

Anywho, that is just an example to help you understand that God teaches us things contrary to the world. Because the ONLY way we will be able to walk the way of Christ,  is if we let the Holy Spirit transform the way we think. Not by conforming to man made "religion". 

I encourage my readers to read Romans  8-12 so that you can read it for yourself. Because until we understand what we are up against, we are unprepared and will loose every time. Stay encouraged and feedback is appreciated. Love you all and stay blessed!