Good morning dearly beloved!
I want to encourage you today because Galatians 5:18-19 shows us that there’s A WAR OF THE SENSES against our recreated spirits. It says,
- But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency…
The word, “flesh” here should be translated “senses“. It’s an opposing entity that dwells with us as believers. The flesh is a mindset that goes against the Word of God. Although our spirits are recreated when we made Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, our minds are left unchanged. That’s why Romans 12:2 (NLT) exhorts us in this way:
- Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Once we begin the process of changing our minds to line up with the Word, a struggle develops. The struggle is between the part of us that wants to go in the direction of the world system and the part of us that agrees with the Word of God.
Paul articulates in detail the conflict between his spirit and his flesh in Romans 7. Paul said that a part of him wanted to do right (his spirit) and another part of him continued to do wrong (his flesh). Our struggle as Christians is a struggle against the flesh. This is a mindset that opposes God’s Word. We need to know how to effectively war against the flesh and receive what Jesus has done for us.
1 Corinthians 1:26 (NLT) says,
- Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.
Our flesh is a source by which we can gain status. The flesh wants to provide a sense of identity that is based on our intellectual attributes, physical characteristics, and social status. However, our recreated spirits and the Holy Spirit that dwells within us wants to establish our identity.
The Apostle Paul had an impressive background based on fleshly standards, however, he counted it all loss compared to knowing Jesus Christ (see Philippians 3:4-8).
We can either choose to have confidence in the flesh or confidence based on who we are in Christ. Paul corrected the Galatians who were trying to grow spiritually through fleshly means (see Galatians 3:1-3). We grow spiritually through our dependence on God rather than our dependence on our mere human abilities. We need God to be who we are. Philippians 1:6 (AMP) states,
- And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
God started a good work in us and He’s going to finish it. Be encouraged because the Father is committed to your spiritual development until Jesus returns.
Guided by the Holy Spirit,
Lisa Gordon
Assistant Pastor
Jesus City Church