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This is the first devotional in a lengthy study of the war that goes on within every Christian. It is a vicious battle. Our fleshly sinful nature wars against our Spirit. We will begin the study by looking into the flesh and understanding all the aspects of it…even those “little foxes.”
Our foundation Scriptures are…
Galatians 5:16-25 (KJV)
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
The first couple of verses show us that it is a war. It is a battle for control. The good news is that we can fight this battle and win. By the end of this series we will be ready to fight this battle and win the victory!
Let’s begin with our first symptom to a carnal fleshly lifestyle.
Adultery
The first thing that comes to my mind is having sex with another man who is not my husband. That is the secular dictionary definition. However, Jesus put a whole new spin on adultery in Matthew 5:28. He said that just looking at another with lust or desire in our hearts is committing like already committing adultery. Wow!
That is something that even the Christian world does not take too seriously. If we did then we wouldn’t be watching movies and television shows with scantily dressed women, bare chested men, naked breasts, naked rear ends…
We tell ourselves that it’s OK. We tell ourselves that it does not affect us. We basically lie to ourselves to fulfill our fleshly nature. Think about it. Jesus was our example, right? Can you picture Him in today’s world watching a movie like Too Fast and Furious? Can you imagine? I can’t. Can you picture Him watching anything with naked or nearly naked women in it. I can’t.
He did not even entertain temptation. When the devil tried to tempt Him he told the devil to get lost. He didn’t even allow the thought to become in-bedded in His Mind.
Today’s Christian lives a very “liberal” lifestyle. Many make excuses for their behavior. They act like when we were given freedom and liberty in Christ it meant anything goes. I believe that much of this comes from not rightly dividing the Word.
A fine example of this is in I Corinthians 8. The short version…Paul is talking about eating meat offered to idols and not to eat it in front of a “weaker” one. They may become greatly offended.
This is a very literal verse. The Greek text means meat. It is very literally talking about the Levitical law of eating meat offered to idols. It does not mean watch whatever you want or do whatever you want. It means food…literally. Nothing more and nothing less. It is our flesh that likes to take Scripture and make it fit our sinful desires. That way we can do it without thought. We “make” it unsinful.
Anyway, don’t fool yourself into thinking that it’s OK to look at Brad Pitt’s butt in Troy or whoever in whatever. It is not OK. You are opening the door for lust. It may seem like it’s not affecting you …but it is. You may think I am going too far…Well, I say we have gone too far. The Church looks and acts like the world. The Church is unrecognizable. The Church should set a MUCH better example for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
If you don’t believe me about any of this, then take it to the Lord in prayer. Take the time to really seek Him. Don’t stop until you get an answer. And when you do…you may be surprised.
A word caution though, don’t ask unless you really want to know. Don’t ask unless you really ready to submit to God in this area. I say this because I used to be that “liberal” Christian. When I was told what I am telling you I took it to God. I got a major revelation. He began to gently yet persistently show me. He began to strongly convict me when I tried to revert back to old ways. I also became quite unpopular with my Christian friends. I became to “radical.” LOL. Should we be anything less?
So, don’t ask unless you want to be a serious God pleasing Christian. Don’t ask unless you want to be an effective light in this dark dark world.
Remember Jesus’ words…He said that just looking at another with lust or desire in our hearts is committing like already committing adultery. WATCH what you watch!
Let’s Pray,
Daddy God, If I have lust in my heart for another please show me and remove it from me. Please help me to see and know Your Truth. Lord, if I even begin to watch something or look at something that is not pleasing to You convict me strongly. Don’t let me be comfortable watching or looking at it any longer. Thank You Lord. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.
In His Love and Service,
Lara ;)
Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved
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