Flesh and Spirit
Filed under: Biblical Teachings, Godly Principles, Holiness & Sanctification
Current Mood:
Blessed
Written by Ricardo Valentino
Our Father who art in heaven , hallow be thy name. Thy kingdom come , thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ, shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword. As it is written, we are killed all the day long, we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Rom. 8:35-37).
What is the difference between “walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh”? Well, first lets take a look at the 8th Chapter of Romans. I am in no ways trying to convey to you that I know anything of myself. My prayer is that God would give me something to share with you. He is the only one who knows all things. I could not know anything, if God who is the source of all knowledge would not reveal it unto me. This is the very reason I started off in a prayer form, because I wouldn’t want this to come from me, but from God. The beginning of the chapter opens with the Word reading: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. It is 3:30 in the morning, I was awakened by a bad sleeping position, but then it was put into my spirit to write about this. I was asked probably more than two weeks ago to write on this subject by a friend of mine, but I replied that my plate was full. I am going through something right now concerning me getting a trial sermon at my local church. It seems that in my life whatever I decide to do, the doors of opportunity gives way, BUT, when I go to the door of my calling, I meet so much resistance. Recently I spoke to a Man of God about it without going into details and he responded: “Everything has an end. Do not be moved by what you see, but be moved by the word of promise that God put in your mouth and in your heart”. That seemed to be right on point.
I said all that to say this: When you walk after the spirit, you can avoid falling into different temptations that your confronted with. That is something that happens to people when their weak and without, or not yielding to the power of the Holy Ghost. So when you are an obedient child of God, you fall into the category of walking after the Spirit. Satan is out to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10) any chance of you progressing in the Spirit. When you walk in the Spirit, you are equipt to break strong holds. You are empowered by the Spirit to do spiritual things, things that you would not be willing and able to do when walking after the flesh. A spiritual mind do mind things of the spirit, and the flesh things of the flesh (Romans 8:5). The flesh does not want to please God, but the spirit is willing to please him. We just have to yield to the spirit. That should be our decision as God’ children. Now we know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Therefore we have to be adopted (as in Romans 8:15) into the family of God by our faith in Christ, before we could receive the spirit to, walk in the spirit. By the adoption, we have inherited God’s spirit. John 4:24 says, God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. By the spirit, is the only way that God will deal with us. That’s why we become separated from God when we sin, because we are separated from His Spirit. God is holy. He cannot look at sin. That’s why when He looks upon us, He sees the blood of Jesus. It’s also why we need Him to cleanse us from our sins in order to be reconciled to Him (I John 1:9).
Everyday and all day, we find ourselves in positions to make decisions to obey or disobey God. The reason for having to make decisions of this nature everyday, is because we were born into sin, and sin lives in the body to please the flesh. So therefore, everyday the two (sin and spirit) are always in constant warfare until the day of separation ( The day when Jesus either comes back to take us home or the body dies by some cause). In making a decision to do either, we are left with benefits or consequences. In Romans 8:6 it reads: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. It could not be said anymore plain than that. To God be the glory, hear ye HIM through verses 7-14: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 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. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
A Prayer for Strength to Overcome Cares and Burdens
Current Mood: Anointed & Blessed
Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me?
Father, You set Yourself against the proud and haughty, but You give grace (continually) unto the humble. I submit myself therefore to You, God. In the name of Jesus, I resist the devil, and he will free from me. I resist the cares of this world, which try to pressure me daily. Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.
Jesus, I come to You, for I labor and am heavy laden and overburdened, and You cause me to rest—Your will ease and relieve and refresh my soul.
I take Your yoke upon me, and I learn of You; for You are gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and I will find rest—relief, ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet—for my soul. For Your yoke is wholesome (easy) – not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant; and Your burden is light and easy to be borne.
I cast my burden on You, Lord, (releasing the weight of it) and You will sustain me; I thank You that You will never allow me, the (consistently) righteous, to be moved—made to slip, fall or fail.
In the name of Jesus, I withstand the devil. I am firm in my faith (against his onset)—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined. I cease from (the weariness and pain) of human labor; and I am zealous and exert myself and strive diligently to enter into the rest (of God)—to know and experience it for myself.
Father, I thank You that Your presence goes with me and that You give me rest. I am still and rest in You, Lord; I wait for You and patiently stay myself upon You. I will not fret myself, nor shall I let my heart be troubled, neither shall I let it be afraid. I hope in You, God, and I wait expectantly for You; for I shall yet praise You, and You are the Help of my countenance and my God.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
SCRIPTURE REFERECES (AMP)
Psalm 42:11
James 4:6, 7
Psalms 127:1
Matthew 11:28-30
Psalm 55:22
1 Peter 5:9
Hebrews 4:10, 11
Exodus 33:14
Psalms 37:7
John 14:27
Psalms 42:11
Prayer from ‘Prayers That Avail Much’, 25th Anniversary Commemorative Gift Edition, written by Germaine Copeland; 1997
If you desire prayer, please send an email to prayer@nwcministries.com and our prayers will prayer for you and with you.
Finishing Strong to Begin Strong
Current Mood: Anointed
As the year 2010 comes to a close, I reflect over the amazing transformation my life has taken on in just 12 short months. A lot can happen in one year and a lot has happened in this year. God uses life-altering experiences to prepare us, mold us and shape us for our individual destinies. It is important as this year comes to a close that we don’t get sidetracked by all of the excitement that a new year can bring, but rather heighten our focus to what God expects of us in 2011.
My home church in Virginia, Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church, aka ‘The Mount’s,’ theme for 2010 was the Year of Expansion. My mind, my surroundings and my entire life has expanded in 2010. However, God never leads us on a path without the intent of us reaching greater heights. By that I mean our journey is never finished until God calls us home. Do not think that because you’ve reached places you’ve never seen before in 2010 that you’ve hit the ceiling. God only desires for us to continue to climb higher and higher until we’ve achieved our destiny. 2010 brought me to San Diego, a place I had never been prior to moving here. God has surrounded me with people who are motivated beyond any I’ve ever met. But have I reached the ceiling? Hardly!
As Christians, our main purpose on this Earth is to bring people to the Kingdom. God uses ordinary people to handle extraordinary tasks in order to accomplish His mission. Throughout the Bible, God has used anyone He chose to fulfill His plan, whether it was moving to a new place, or becoming a great leader – God will have His work completed. I understand that moving to San Diego is only part of the destiny God has laid out for my life. Therefore, I must not lose sight of the ultimate goal. I cannot become complacent in my journey. 2010 was great. But 2011 will be even BETTER! Do not relax because you think you have accomplished all that God has assigned on your life! If you’re reading this, then you’re still living, aren’t you? Then there’s still work to be done.
“Blessed be the name of the Lord forever and ever. Everywhere-from east to west-praise the name of the Lord. For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is far greater than the heavens.” – Psalm 113:3-4
God is too Good to sit down and rest now. March on into the New Year my fellow soldiers!
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