FRIDAY August 7, 2020

Putting the Flesh to Death

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:12-13

Paul dealt with the conflict between the flesh and the spirit. They are two forces at war. The flesh is always trying to raise itself up and dominate––sin. A life lived in the flesh contradicts the Spirit. Paul tells believers the Holy Spirit should dominate their lives, not the flesh. Christians are to be dead men walking––the flesh is to be dead. It is Christ who lives victoriously within our hearts––so beautiful.

Paul began Galatians 5 by urging believers to stand in the liberty by which Christ has made them free (Galatians 5:1). Paul defined walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit. The warfare between them is a difficult struggle. If you walk in the flesh, you will become a carnal Christian, and if you remain in a life of carnality and sin, without true repentance, then ultimately you could be condemned. Christians have to walk in the Spirit; the Spirit of God has set us free––real important.

Seriously, the one you feed the most and pay more attention to is the one who wins. Which one are you feeding the most, the flesh or the spirit? When a person opens their mouth, other people know exactly where they are! Paul gave us the distinction between the spiritual man and the carnal man. He gave a long list of both sinful behaviors and spiritual fruit of the spiritual person (Galatians 5:19-23).

We need the assistance of the Holy Spirit to be the person God desires for us to be. He will help us to crucify the flesh––all those fleshly passions are to be dead. You cannot go wrong when you identify with Jesus Christ––real important! As you remain on target, obeying what God has said in His Word, then you can be free to enjoy the Christian life.

If you yield yourself up to His [God’s] divine working, the Lord will alter your nature; He will subdue the old nature, and breathe new life into you.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!