We live in a world and in a state of being created by God where we have a choice…a choice to live in the spirit or to live in the flesh. Each new day (each moment for the matter) affords us the opportunity to abide in Christ and live according to the spirit or to rebel and live according to our own desires. The results of each are made plain in Galatians 5:16-26:
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
The same Paul who wrote Romans 7 and 8 (from my last post) is the one who helps us understand that we ultimately have two options: live by the spirit daily or live by the flesh daily. Each choice has its own clear and distinct set of evidences as described in the passage above.
SO, what have we learned? How do we deal with temptation and sin? From my posts and the response of many brothers and sisters in the faith we’ve been reminded of some valuable truths:
1.Connecting to a community of believers at an intimate level is essential for victory over temptation. We aren’t meant to battle temptation in isolation.
2.Studying and meditating on the Word of God, allowing God’s Truth to “renew our minds” is also vital.
3.The battle against temptation is a daily, even moment by moment, battle that even the heroes of the faith like Paul battled with daily. But, we chose daily to gratify our own desires or submit to the spirit of God and experience the results of such a choice – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control
So, if you are now struggling with a specific temptation and cannot seem to find your way to purity of mind and deed, then ask yourself which of the three truths above are missing in your life…then pursue that truth with vigor. Christ promises that he will not give us anything that we, under the direction of the spirit, cannot handle. He has given us the Spirit to empower us to live lives of righteousness.
Keep fighting the good fight!
Carpe Deum! (Seize God!)
Todd Phillips
www.toddphillips.net
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