Discipline the Flesh

October 8, 2017

Devotions:

        “So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:26-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

        “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    In order for us to walk in victory we must keep our flesh under.  Grace is not an excuse to sin but and empowerment over sin. We are the forgiven not so we can live a lifestyle indulging the flesh but so we can be set free from that which would destroy us.  Sin and the devil gain entrance through our flesh, when we yield to it.  To shut the door on the devil we must keep our flesh in submission to our born again spirit.  It is learning to walk by the power of the life within us and not yielding to our flesh.

“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 ‭ESV‬‬

        To walk by the spirit means that we must stay in tune with our spirit and the Holy Spirit who is within us. We must feed on the word of God daily and spend time praying with our understanding and in the Spirit or tongues. 

        Learning to say no the flesh is as painful as cutting off your hand or your foot or plucking out your eye. When we go to the gym and work out we work out even though it hurts because we have a goal in our vision. We must have a goal to walk in the holiness and righteousness that He has made us to walk in the ways that please our Father because we love Him because He first loved us. 

        Indulging in the fleeting pleasures of the flesh is empty and it will destroy you.  The pain at the end will be much greater than the displine of putting your flesh under and then you will not have a choice but to endure the pain. 

        Do not run aimlessly but go for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. It is well worth the price.