Starve the flesh, feed the Spirit

What does it really mean to die to self, fight sin and fleshly desires? There is a battle that wages inside of us everyday...

Romans 8:12-14 - "So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."

Pastor John MacArthur's commentary explains putting to death the deeds of the body, how the apostle Paul destroys FALSE views of how believers are made holy:

1) that in a crisis-moment we are immediately made perfect;
2) that we must "let God" take over while we remain idle;
3) that some turning-point decision will propel us to a higher level of holiness

Rather, the apostle says the Spirit provides us with the energy and power to continually and gradually be killing our sins, a process never completed in this life.

The means the Spirit uses to accomplish this process is our faithful obedience to the simple commands of Scripture like Rom. 13:14 - "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make NO provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts."

In addition, we are to be led by the Spirit (vs. 14) not through subjective, mental impressions or promptings or "signs" to provide direction in making life's decisions. Instead, God's Spirit objectively leads us sometimes through circumstances (Acts 16:7) but PRIMARILY through: 1) illumination, divinely clarifying Scripture to make it understandable to our sinful, finite minds, and 2) sanctification, divinely enables us to obey Scripture - Gal. 5:16,17 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."

So the takeaway I get from this is that we're commanded to WORK with the Spirit, to cooperate, and actively participate in this process of obedience and fighting the flesh.

Beloved, I know what it likes to feel the onslaught of Satan's attacks, the struggles we face everyday, the constant requirement to be aware and deliberate about seeking holiness.

We don't have to be taught how to be selfish. We don't have to be taught how to be disobedient. We don't have to be taught how to sin. All of this is natural...default. We cannot be ignorant, idle, or lukewarm about our relationship with Christ.

I'm a thinker. I'm analytical. I'm always interested in progress, perseverance, and living purposefully. Let's be wise with the choices laid before us. Read and meditate on Scripture! Let's press on towards love and good deeds, holiness, all with greater humility, self-control, and Spirit filled living...all for God's glory!

Grace and peace to you.