CRUCIFYING THE FLESH

Hello dear readers and followers, it’s the weekend again and I’m excited about what God has in store for us this weekend. How was your week?  Well my week was quite eventful and there is this verse that really stood out to me this week. It’s Romans 13: 13-14 and it says, Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.  Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh (NIV). It’ll be nice if you could meditate on this verse throughout the weekend.

Well, here goes the word for this week. In this day of age we tend to focus on the outward appearance than the spirit. It is easy for us to wake up without praying or doing our quiet time but focus on how nice we’re going to look all morning. For instance, a girl in today’s world will rather focus on getting her make-up and hair on point and ignore her prayer and quiet time. Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying in any way that doing your make up isn’t good. It is just an example I can relate to as a girl.

1 Samuel 16:7 says, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”(NIV). So basically we’re missing a point here. Someone could look as dirty as thrush but if they have the fruits of the spirit which are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, goodness and faithfulness, they can inherit the kingdom of heaven. As my campus church elder said, “There’s nothing to a pretty face if the inner man is ugly”. This is very true.

Galatians 5:16-17 says, “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”(NIV). From this verse we realise that the body (flesh) is constantly fighting against the spirit. This is why we have to deny the flesh and feed the spirit man more and more. As mentioned last week, we can feed the spirit by praying, reading the word of God and fasting.

Galatians 5:24 says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”. We have to put to death the things that are of this world and focus on the things above. Colossians 3:5-10 says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator”(NIV).

Final words from me, always remember to deny the flesh and build the spirit man. Reckon the flesh is crucified and make no provision for it at all. Thanks ever so much for your time. Remember to share this post for there's love in sharing. If you have any questions regarding this post or any other post, feel free to leave your comment below. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and have a great week ahead.