This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil 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.
Galatians 5:16-18
While camping this week in Virginia’s beautiful Hungry Mother State Park, I read the book of Proverbs a couple of times. I love that book because it is packed full with wisdom! It contains words of instruction, rebuke, and encouragement. It tells us about sin, as well as, the consequences of sin. It tells us what God hates and destroys. While it also tells us what God loves and rewards.
Since there is so much wisdom found in the book of Proverbs, beginning next week, I will start a series on that book. On our journey through Proverbs, we will feast on many dainty morsels of wisdom, but we will also chew on some tough pieces of meat. But in the end, we will be wiser.
Unfortunately, it is impossible for most of us to memorize all of the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs, much less implement it in our life. That is because our sinful flesh always attempts to lead us astray. We are weak when we rely upon our own power.
In the book of Romans, Paul writes this about his sinful flesh. “I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate…. But I can't help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things” (Romans 7:15-17, NLT).
Is Paul telling us that sin in our life is acceptable because our flesh is weak? Does this mean, “God created us and He knew that we are sinful, therefore, we can continue living in sin because God understands”?
Absolutely not!
God recognized that we are sinful so He provided a way that we can escape from sin. That way is through the crucified Christ. Christ’s sacrifice freed us from bondage to sin.
Listen to Paul, “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord….” (Romans 7:25, NLT).
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:1-3, emphasis mine).
Sin’s power is broken as long as you, “…walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). If you refuse to walk after the Spirit and continue to walk after your sinful flesh, you have not fully surrendered yourself Christ Jesus. Consequently, you remain bound to sin.
In fact, if you do not have Christ’s Spirit in you, then you do not truly belong to Him. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).
I know those are strong words, but I am sharpening your teeth before we begin our journey into Proverbs next week.
Many churches have watered down God’s Word until it no longer even resembles God’s Word. These churches forget to mention, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8). And since they don’t want to rattle any chains, they may not say, “For he himself has said, ‘You must be holy because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:16, NLT).
This week, I have thrown out some tough meat for you to gnaw on, but please meditate on this week’s Scriptures. These Scriptures will help you on your future journey through Proverbs.
While you are meditating on this week’s Scriptures, ask yourself a couple of questions. Do you have Christ’s Spirit within you? This means that you hear His voice and follow His commands (John 10:1-5, John 15:10, 1 John 5:1-4). Are you walking by His Spirit and not by your flesh?
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:5-7 (emphasis mine)
Three Key Concepts:
1. When you walk in the Spirit, you can overcome your flesh.
2. If you are God’s child, then you have His Spirit within you.
3. When you walk in the light (truth), the blood of Jesus cleanses you from sin.
