(+) (+) The Struggle Of The Flesh (+) (+

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Registered: 03-26-2003
(+) (+) The Struggle Of The Flesh (+) (+
3
Sun, 04-04-2004 - 9:29am
The Struggle of the Flesh

Galatians 5:16-26


In Galatians 5, Paul uses the term "flesh" to describe the part of our lives that stands in opposition to God. The fruit of the Spirit, or the evidence of Christ’s life in us, includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control. The evidence of the flesh includes: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissension in our relationships, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.

The flesh is not so much tangible in nature as it is revealed in our attitudes, desires, and lifestyles. Never think that just because you serve the Lord you won’t be caught up in the trappings of the flesh. A person can serve God, make a wonderful public impression, and still be living in the flesh.

The central focus of the Spirit-filled life must always be Jesus Christ, while the primary focus of the flesh is self–self-will, self-assertion, self-love, self-indulgence, self-pity, self-reliance, self-consciousness, self-righteousness, and self-glorification.

However, we do not have to serve the desires of the flesh. As children of God, we have been given the power to say no to our old way of living and thinking. Ask the Lord to reveal any evidences of the flesh in your life. Be willing to allow Him to strip away all that does not glorify Him.

Live With Passion!


Phyllis

Live With Passion!

Phyllis

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 04-04-2004 - 1:10pm
Thanks for these, Phyllis. This reminds me of our SS class topic - why Jesus died and what would it be like to be without sin. My SS class always brings up something I never really thought about before: Jesus was the only human to live without sin so he was never separated from God (or opposed to God) at any time. That is just amazing!
Katherine (Kat)
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 04-04-2004 - 8:12pm
Because he was without sin is why he died on the cross for all of us.

Live With Passion!

Phyllis

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 04-04-2004 - 9:25pm
Yes, we covered that, too. That in itself is fantastic (& humbling)!

I can't believe I'm almost finished reading that first book of the series "Left Behind". I already have gotten the 2nd book. Very interesting, but I'm glad I waited until the final installment came out.

I saw an interesting show on the Travel Channel about Jerusalem. I didn't know that people wrote letters to God and the postman delivers them to the West Wall (puts the letters in the cracks in the walls). Also, people pay about $30,000 for a burial plot on the Mount of Olives. There were Jewish, Muslim and Christian plots all over the mountain. According to the priest who takes the corpses in, alot of people seem to think if they are buried there that when Jesus comes back, they will be judged first among the resurrected & when Jesus is "freshest". There are some interesting ideas out there to say the least!!!

Katherine (Kat)