The Lusts of the Flesh
Most people spend their time trying to fulfill their strong desires that come from their human body and mind. That is fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. The Christian life is the opposite of that. We are to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we make no provision to fulfill the strong desires of the flesh.(Romans 13:13,14) This is radical, but it makes for the best life possible.
Satan uses the strong desires we have from our bodies and minds to lead us to sin. When we give in to the flesh, we never do God's will. Therefore, the Lord commands that we reject the desires of the flesh and trust Jesus to give us the strength and wisdom to live like Him. He does that through the Holy Spirit, who lives in us once we come to know Christ. Then, we miss the results of sin, and we find the real love, joy, and peace that comes for those who live like God designed for people to live.
I know this calls for being different than almost everyone we know, but different is good. In fact, if we just do what everyone else does, we will miss God's will every time. His way is the narrow way. It is not fulfilling the flesh, but allowing the Holy Spirit to take control. For that to happen, we have to decide to forsake the flesh and to make no provision for it. I pray that we will all decide to do that and to have the abundant life Jesus wants us to have.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Romans 15-16 and I Corinthians 1.
Satan uses the strong desires we have from our bodies and minds to lead us to sin. When we give in to the flesh, we never do God's will. Therefore, the Lord commands that we reject the desires of the flesh and trust Jesus to give us the strength and wisdom to live like Him. He does that through the Holy Spirit, who lives in us once we come to know Christ. Then, we miss the results of sin, and we find the real love, joy, and peace that comes for those who live like God designed for people to live.
I know this calls for being different than almost everyone we know, but different is good. In fact, if we just do what everyone else does, we will miss God's will every time. His way is the narrow way. It is not fulfilling the flesh, but allowing the Holy Spirit to take control. For that to happen, we have to decide to forsake the flesh and to make no provision for it. I pray that we will all decide to do that and to have the abundant life Jesus wants us to have.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Romans 15-16 and I Corinthians 1.