Flesh or Spirit? (Aug 3)

Romans 8:5-17

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Are you living after the flesh or after the spirit? Are you working your way towards death or towards life and peace? Does your life please God or does it displease Him? Is the Spirit of God dwelling in you or do you have no part with Him? This scripture gives us much insight towards answering these questions. Examine your own heart. Examine your own life. Do you mind the things of the flesh or of the spirit? Sure, you may be a member of a church and call yourself a Christian. Perhaps sometimes you're nice to people and you do some of the things that would be expected of a Christian. But is the Spirit of God dwelling in you? Have you been given new life through Christ? Just because you come to church, read your Bible, sing songs at church, and maybe even have some things to share with other people, it doesn't mean that you please God. The scripture says that they that are in the flesh cannot please God. The carnal mind is enmity against God. You may say that you love God (although perhaps half-heartedly) and that you are fighting “on His side”, but in fact if you do not have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you are actually fighting against Him, as an enemy. Examine yourself to see if what you say about your life is real. You see, the Spirit of God raised up Jesus from the dead. If that same Spirit dwells in you, you will also be given new life. This life will be a different life than before. You will be a different person. You won't continue to lie, hate, cheat, be selfish, hurt people, fall to bad temptations, or otherwise be sinful. The life in you will be pure Godly life.

2 Chronicles 7:14

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

If you find yourself to be “of the flesh” and not godly, there is hope! You don't have to stay that way, shrug your shoulders, and resign yourself to a life of death. You can have true life and peace! Humble yourself and pray. Repent, turning from your sin, and turn to God and he will hear you. He will forgive you and heal your heart.

Life of the flesh tends to be selfish and be about things that will satisfy you, even if that means hurting someone else. Life of the flesh will ignore God's word when He calls you to do things that you don't really want to do. It is often deceitful and fake. Life of the spirit glorifies God. This life is surrendered to Him and all of His ways. It is obedient to the call of the Lord, no matter where it may take you. Life of the spirit looks to put to death the old fleshly life and live only for God. Life of the spirit is not just calling yourself a Christian and doing a few Christiany things, but rather it is a life and heart change. And because of that life change in you, you will now be pleasing to God, a child of God, an heir in His righteousness. It will be a life that glorifies God. This change will be evident in all of your life, including your attitude and countenance. So, how will this indwelling Spirit of God be evident in your life?

Romans 12:9-21 (NKJV)

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is a pretty good description of what it means to life the Christian life. Remember, your life does not dictate your Christianity (or relationship with God), but your Christianity (or relationship with God will dictate your life. In other words, if you evaluate your life and relationship with God right now and find yourself lacking, doing a bunch of good stuff or trying to do all the stuff in this scripture above does not somehow make you a better Christian. But if you humble yourself before God and trust in Him, He will work in your heart and you'll then, as a result, see these things in your life.