Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Do we indulge our flesh and our soul-self?

Living our lives in the spirit. 

What is of the spirit?
What is of the flesh?
What is of the soul-self?

We are told (Gal. 5:16,17)  'Walk in the Spirit'  And in that same sentence we are told- IF we walk in the Spirit then we will NOT fulfil the lust of the flesh.   When we feel the lust in our flesh, our soul-self has to determine whether or not we are going to let that lust become conceived.  Are there lusts so powerful that as soon as they hit us we let them consume us, or do all lusts come with an opportunity of denial? Jesus told us this--

Mat 5:27  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 
Mat 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 

The lust is powerful and sinful.  When we indulge the lusts of our thoughts we are sinning. We have to deny the lusts as we think them!

Yes, I believe there are sins of ignorance, sins that happen so fast they leave us reeling and heartbroken seeking forgiveness. I also believe that a lot of our sins are toyed with in our minds instead of being shunned and cast out, instead of being fought against. I believe we FAIL to raise our weapon to destroy the lusts because we are being DRAWN away.

Jas_1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

When we are shown the soul-self desires that war with the spirit-led desires we have to draw our sword! We have to use our weapon. We have to search the scriptures --

Joh_5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

We need to LIVE according to the spirit, not the soul-self, not the flesh.  By the GRACE and mercy of our LORD we will! All glory, all honor unto our Savior and King, Jesus Christ our Lord!


' (7) Live according to the spirit. This is a condition not only for our preservation but also for a distinct cleavage between spirit and soul. We must seek to walk by our spirit in all respects, distinguishing what is of the spirit and what is of the soul and resolving as well to follow the former while rejecting the latter. Learn to recognize the working of the spirit and follow it.'  The Spiritual Man - Watchman Nee

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