Bible League: Living His Word So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.There is a war going on and the battlefield is every person on the face of the earth. On one side there is the flesh and on the other side there is the Spirit. The flesh is the Apostle Paul's metaphor for the sinful spiritual state of individual human beings. The Spirit, of course, is the Holy Spirit. They are in conflict with one another over each person. Those who do not belong to Jesus Christ are still living in the power of their flesh. The flesh, one might say, represents their true spiritual state and the Spirit is an alien factor to them. Those who do belong to Jesus, on the other hand, have been "crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20) and have "crucified the flesh" (Galatians 5:24). They have been "baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5) and their flesh is now the alien factor. This does not mean that the flesh is no longer operative in their lives, because Paul still finds it necessary to say that we shouldn't "gratify the desires of the flesh," but it does mean that it no longer represents our true spiritual state. Paul's recommendation for avoiding the gratification of the flesh is to "walk by the Spirit." When those who belong to Christ walk by the Spirit they are following the lead of the Spirit by the power of the Spirit. When you walk by the Spirit you will not do "whatever you want," as the flesh would do, but what the Spirit wants; you will be open to the leading of the Spirit. You can tell if you've been successfully walking in the Spirit if your life reflects the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Today, since we live by and in the power of the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingLeviticus 1, 2, 3 Leviticus 1 -- Burnt Offerings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Leviticus 2 -- Grain Offerings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Leviticus 3 -- Peace Offerings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 24:23-51 Matthew 24 -- Christ Foretells the Destruction of the Temple and His Glorious Return NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But the LORD is in his holy Temple;the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. Insight When the foundations are shaking and you wish you could hide, remember that God is still in control. His power is not diminished by any turn of events. Nothing happens without his knowledge and permission. Challenge When you feel like running away—run to God. He will restore justice and goodness on the earth in his good time. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Revelation 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.Without considering these words in their prophetical connection, let us regard them as the invitation of our great Forerunner to his sanctified people. In due time there shall be heard "a great voice from heaven" to every believer, saying, "Come up hither." This should be to the saints the subject of joyful anticipation. Instead of dreading the time when we shall leave this world to go unto the Father, we should be panting for the hour of our emancipation. Our song should be-- "My heart is with him on his throne, And ill can brook delay; Each moment listening for the voice, Rise up and come away.'" We are not called down to the grave, but up to the skies. Our heaven-born spirits should long for their native air. Yet should the celestial summons be the object of patient waiting. Our God knows best when to bid us "Come up hither." We must not wish to antedate the period of our departure. I know that strong love will make us cry, "O Lord of Hosts, the waves divide, And land us all in heaven;" but patience must have her perfect work. God ordains with accurate wisdom the most fitting time for the redeemed to abide below. Surely, if there could be regrets in heaven, the saints might mourn that they did not live longer here to do more good. Oh, for more sheaves for my Lord's garner! more jewels for his crown! But how, unless there be more work? True, there is the other side of it, that, living so briefly, our sins are the fewer; but oh! when we are fully serving God, and he is giving us to scatter precious seed, and reap a hundredfold, we would even say it is well for us to abide where we are. Whether our Master shall say "go," or "stay," let us be equally well pleased so long as he indulges us with his presence. Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 14:14 When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 5:2 he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; Mark 14:37,38 And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? • "Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Psalm 103:13,14 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. • For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalm 86:15,16 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. • Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your handmaid. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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