Flesh vs. Spirit

 
I cannot describe the spiritual battles that others face, only my own. Today’s devotional is about the author’s battle with consecration. She writes about finding herself too weak and full of  imperfection and sin to dare dedicating herself to the Lord, but if she looks at Christ, all those thoughts vanish and she is left with a great desire to live for Him.

I know that battle, yet in my description I make a distinction between the flesh and the Spirit. Christ lives in me, but that old sinful nature clings to me like the ancient practice of putting the body of a murdered victim unto the back of the one who killed that person. What a stench, what a horror, but it does make vivid the reality of this war between God’s Spirit and my former nature. It is dead to God but still wants to rule my life. The NT is filled with instructions to help me recognize the difference and to live accordingly.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:16–17)

Sanctification is the work of God who changes my heart and desires, yet that sin nature resists doing God’s will because it is contrary to the nature of sin. However, God says:

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:24–26)

This is just one difference: the old nature is conceited, envious, and apt to spats with others. The Holy Spirit is not like that…

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)

The devotional writer speaks of choosing to live for Jesus, and by looking to Him to make all fleshy thoughts vanish, then adds “I know it is His will that I should live like that, and that He is able to keep me from falling. And so all I can do is trust Him.”

It is no secret that the enemy wants God’s people to follow the dictates of that dead thing that seems strapped on our back. He uses various schemes to appeal to us. For me, it is a disguised pride that insists my own ideas are okay. For the devotional writer, it is doubt that God accepts her sacrifice of herself. Again, that could be rooted in that prideful idea that we need to be ‘good enough’ to serve God. If that notion governs me, then I will never serve Him because I will never be ‘good enough’ — which is a denial of the very basic truth of the gospel; we are not accepted or used by God based on our worth or abilities. Obedience is not about being able but about trusting Him and doing what He says, relying on His enabling and His Spirit. Still, it is a battle.

PRAY: Lord, so often the enemy whispers that I cannot do whatever it is that You ask me to do. I know that this statement is partly true but mostly a lie. In You and because of You, I can do all things. This is a trust issue, not an ability test. I have just over three weeks to do what seems impossible, but know it is Your will to get with it and just obey You, “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through You who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11–13) Thank You for this timely reminder that my life is in Your hands!

Trials have an amazing purpose

 
After eight hours of sound sleep, I woke up tired. A small thing compared to the many troubles in this world. We all face sorrow in life, wonder if God has forgotten us and why the world is in such a mess, even just our own portion of it. Reading today offers the fact that we live in a fallen world that is ruined by sin. Sometimes it is our own sin, but the reading says “more often than not it is one of those things” and many are affected by it.

Yet we have a sovereign God who promises to use all things for good in the lives of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). That does not say all good things, but all things. He even says:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2–4)

My mother said it too. Her version: “We must need it or we would not be getting it.” She set me up to accept trouble rather than fight them or pray to make them go away. This has not been automatic though. It takes time to realize that even though trials come, God still reigns. He is able to use even the greatest trials as He transforms the lives of His people:

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1–5)

And sometimes He does deliver us. When I am thankful and obedient in trials (another difficult lesson) He keeps this promise:

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:14–15)

As I think of troubles in the world, how would I learn the love and power of God if everything was perfect? I call myself God’s spoiled brat as it is! He wants me to be like Jesus, so He allows me to experience whatever will help me “know how to be brought low, and know how to abound.” In any and every circumstance, I must learn the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need so that I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12–13) Otherwise, I’d be a wimpy brat as well as one spoiled.

PRAY: God, You always offer comfort in the midst of trouble. You do not always rescue me but You do provide grace and strength in it. You also assure me that at the end, all will be made right. In the meantime, You use trials as discipline, or to give me a deeper revelation of Yourself, and to transform me into the image of Your Son. I know that You always do what is right, even if I cannot see it. Whatever comes my way, I can be sure of this: “The eternal God is my dwelling place, and underneath are Your everlasting arms…” (Deuteronomy 33:27) for I have learned that in whatever situation I am to be content because I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11–13). Thank You!

“We must need it . . . .”

2 Kings 9; Psalm 119:73–96; Hosea 1; 1 Timothy 6

My mother had this wonderful saying that at the time I didn’t pay much attention. She said it mostly when the weather was contrary but at other times as well: “We must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it.” Her words had a profound effect on her life and on my life also.

My mother seldom complained. She was content and accepted both hardship and good times with this relaxed attitude. When dad died and she had to stay in a horrible small room in the hospital until a bed became available in the nursing home, she sat dismayed for a few minutes then said, “I’ve been through a lot; I can handle this too.” I often say that I want to be like her when I grow up.

The Bible speaks of contentment concerning life’s ambitions and in terms of what we have and don’t have. Some thought that being religious would make them rich. To them, God says:

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:6–10)

My mother knew this. She also believed that if she needed anything, God would give it and if not, she could be content. She would also say amen to these thoughts . . .

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11–13)

I didn’t realize until she was gone that her ‘annoying at times’ saying had an increasing effect on me. At first, I noticed that I don’t get in a flap about the weather. Rain, shine, snow, summer, none of the extremes bother me even if they upset plans. As she said, I must need this or it would not happen. Soon I connected this to the sovereign power of God. He controls the weather and He knows what I need. Two plus two equals contentment with His decisions.

Not only that, one of the first Bible truths He gave me was this marvelous reality:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:28–29)

From this, I realize that no matter what happens, God uses it to transform me into the likeness of Christ. How can I get upset about anything that comes my way? If I didn’t need it, God would not let it happen!

The psalmist wrote about the connection between the power of God and the circumstances of life.

Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. (Psalm 119:73–75)

This person was able to accept affliction because he knew that God is righteous not vindictive. The entire psalm expresses his trust in the Word of God to guide him rightly, to give him life, to avoid destruction. He concludes the above section with, “I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.” (Psalm 119:96) That is, even perfection has limits but the Word of God is unlimited in its scope and value.

APPLY: It is easy to honor my parents, one of the Ten Commandments from God. Even though she died years ago, I can honor her by being content. These days I sometimes fret about ‘short days’ and the challenges of moving slower and not accomplishing much, but I can obey God and honor her by trusting the lord. Whatever I need, God grants it to me, and if I don’t need to slow down, I would not be experiencing this. If I need longer days, He could give them, but more likely He prefers that I be content with whatever I have. Yes, mom. Yes, Jesus.