The Tyranny of the Flesh
What happens when a Christian allows the flesh to dominate his or her life? It is not a pretty sight. The deeds of the flesh all lead to pain and destruction.(Galatians 5:19-21) They also will not remain static, but they will grow and grow until they consume a person's life, if they are not held in check by God's power.
Anger is a result of the flesh being in control. Have you ever seen a person who could exhibit just a little anger? Usually, that does not happen. It grows and grows until it destroys people and relationships. That is why the Bible says to "put away all anger."
Alcohol is another tool of Satan. He tells people that just a little alcohol will be just fine. It will calm a person down and help them handle the stress. However, very seldom does it stay at just a little bit every once and a while. It increases to the sin of drunkenness, and that leads to all kinds of pain and problems.
Therefore, we must not let the flesh have any control over our lives, no matter what it takes. Jesus used the hyperbole of plucking out an eye or cutting off a hand. He was not being literal, but He was being totally serious. We must be willing to take any steps to stay away from the flesh having power over our lives. We must be filled with the Spirit and have any type of accountability that is necessary to keep the flesh at bay and give the Spirit full reign in our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 22-24 and Luke 3.
Anger is a result of the flesh being in control. Have you ever seen a person who could exhibit just a little anger? Usually, that does not happen. It grows and grows until it destroys people and relationships. That is why the Bible says to "put away all anger."
Alcohol is another tool of Satan. He tells people that just a little alcohol will be just fine. It will calm a person down and help them handle the stress. However, very seldom does it stay at just a little bit every once and a while. It increases to the sin of drunkenness, and that leads to all kinds of pain and problems.
Therefore, we must not let the flesh have any control over our lives, no matter what it takes. Jesus used the hyperbole of plucking out an eye or cutting off a hand. He was not being literal, but He was being totally serious. We must be willing to take any steps to stay away from the flesh having power over our lives. We must be filled with the Spirit and have any type of accountability that is necessary to keep the flesh at bay and give the Spirit full reign in our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 22-24 and Luke 3.