READ:
GALATIANS 5:16-24
“For the flesh lusts
against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary
the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would.” (Galatians 5:17)
Of the three parts of the human being, the body is the most stubborn and least receptive of the born again experience. It does not want to hear that you have been saved. When your spirit passes the news of change down to the body, it will revolt. It does not want any new government, but rather to maintain the status quo. This is one major reason why some people have not changed, long after they have been born again.
Your flesh is your number one enemy. Yet, being part of the trinity (spirit, soul and body), you need your flesh to be able to live the life of the Spirit for which your new birth has empowered you (John 1:12). If it is left out, there will be problems. One major reason the body will revolt is because until now, like every sinner, the body has been in control. The arrangement of the sinner’s trinity is body, soul and spirit. The body was lord and the spirit was the least important. But now that you are born again, the order is reversed. Suddenly, the slave has become the master and is giving orders to its former bosses. This accounts for much resistance, especially by the body.
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8)
Your spirit loves to please God but the flesh (body) is loyal to Satan. When your spirit wants to fast, the body will deliberately whip up pangs of hunger. If your spirit wants to hold vigil, the body will just go to sleep. Dealing with this situation calls for a choice. You have to decide whether to cooperate with your spirit or your body. Which do you cooperate with regularly? Your flesh or your spirit?
Of the three parts of the human being, the body is the most stubborn and least receptive of the born again experience. It does not want to hear that you have been saved. When your spirit passes the news of change down to the body, it will revolt. It does not want any new government, but rather to maintain the status quo. This is one major reason why some people have not changed, long after they have been born again.
Your flesh is your number one enemy. Yet, being part of the trinity (spirit, soul and body), you need your flesh to be able to live the life of the Spirit for which your new birth has empowered you (John 1:12). If it is left out, there will be problems. One major reason the body will revolt is because until now, like every sinner, the body has been in control. The arrangement of the sinner’s trinity is body, soul and spirit. The body was lord and the spirit was the least important. But now that you are born again, the order is reversed. Suddenly, the slave has become the master and is giving orders to its former bosses. This accounts for much resistance, especially by the body.
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8)
Your spirit loves to please God but the flesh (body) is loyal to Satan. When your spirit wants to fast, the body will deliberately whip up pangs of hunger. If your spirit wants to hold vigil, the body will just go to sleep. Dealing with this situation calls for a choice. You have to decide whether to cooperate with your spirit or your body. Which do you cooperate with regularly? Your flesh or your spirit?
MEMORIZE:
ROMANS 8:8 –So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
