How to Love and Forgive

How do we love people? Why is it hard at times, even as a Christian, to love and forgive?

I think it will help if we look at various aspects of forgiveness and love, as it relates to restoring and maintaining relationships. To begin, let's look at something I call the "forgiveness facade." 

FORGIVENESS AND ALLOWANCE

The forgiveness facade is when we feel that we must quickly forgive a person's sin against us, thinking that means we hastily forget about it and move on. This mindset keeps us from judging righteously because by not addressing the sin, it appears we are allowing it. However, there's a difference between forgiveness and allowance. 

We read in Luke 17:3 that Jesus said, "If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." 

To rebuke your brother when he sins doesn't mean to accept the sin, or simply brush it under the rug and move on. Yes, we do forgive him if he repents, but that doesn't mean the sin is not addressed. How this is done will vary, and I won't get into that here. (There are many Scriptures on this topic, including Matthew 5:21-26 and Matthew 18:15-35, as well as other New Testament verses). The point is, not understanding this forgiveness facade may get in the way of  working through the forgiveness process, and maintaining the relationship. 

FORGIVENESS AND OFFENSE

Additionally, it's also important to understand that there's a difference between forgiving someone for a wrong they committed against you, and the offense you may have taken in your heart for what they did. Forgiveness is a response to repentance from sin, but any offense you might have taken also needs to be dealt with.

You forgive someone for the sin they committed against you, when they come to you and repent. You don't "forgive" someone for the offense you took from their sin. They are not responsible for the offense that you took. That is a separate issue that you must deal with before God, (and you might need to ask that person forgive you depending on how you might have reacted toward them).

There's been crazy talk in our society, some places even trying to pass laws, saying that if you say something that another person takes offense at, then YOU can be charged for their offense! This is absurd. Biblically, each person is responsible for what they have control over. I don't have control over how you feel, or what you think, so how can I be held accountable for your feelings or thoughts, or what you did as a result of them? 

In the same way, if I became bitter over a sin committed against me, the other person is not responsible for my bitterness. I might try to convince myself that they are responsible, but they are not. And I dare not wait until they repent to let go of my bitterness. It might never happen. 

So remember to distinguish between these two things:

• When a person who has sinned against you comes to you and repents, forgive them.
• When a person sins against you, don't pick up, or hang on to, any offense, bitterness, anger etc. Get rid of it right away, don't wait for them to come to you and repent.

OFFENSE OR JUDGEMENT

Once we learn to distinguish between forgiveness and offense, then we also need to understand the difference between taking offense from a sin committed against you, and taking on a condemning judgment toward someone who hasn't sinned against you. They might just rub you the wrong way, or you don't like them for whatever reason. 

We can see how we might be tempted to take offense against a person who has wronged us, but we may not always see the "offense" we develop when a person has done nothing wrong against us. We, for whatever reason, develop a condemning, judgmental, critical, irritable, or accusatory attitude against them.

In either case, whether you're dealing with an offense due to sin, or some other condemning attitude you have against another person, it's up to you to get before God and deal with it, repent of it, and get your heart right. It's not up to to the other person to fix the condition of your heart for you. 

If a person has wronged you, they may NEVER come and ask for your forgiveness. You can't wait for that. And by dealing with your heart issues right away, then if/when they do come and repent, you'll be ready, and can sincerely, from the heart, let them know you forgive them. 

In some cases, you might think a person needs to repent, but if they have no conviction in their heart, if they have done nothing wrong, if they have no idea that you are struggling to love them, and have no idea that there may be something they could do to help bring reconciliation into your relationship, they will never come to you to repent or seek reconciliation because they do not know it's needed. 

How many times are we waiting for the other person to come to us to make amends, when they have no idea that there is anything to make amends for? And the problem is not with them, its with us.

HOW DO WE FIX THIS?

I believe if we get too wrapped up in what is right and wrong for ourselves--meaning that we put ourselves under a legalistic relationship with the Lord--then we will project that same legalism onto others, becoming intolerant and unmerciful toward them. (Read that again!)

We are to forgive as God has forgiven us. But in order to do so, we must FIRST receive His forgiveness for us. We must FIRST take ourselves out from under law--from under soulish-realm rule. 

We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We MUST receive His love, His Son, His salvation, His grace, His truth, His forgiveness and mercy, before we can ever truly offer it to others without it being a religious act of duty based on legalism instead of relationship.

We must not let the enemy bring condemnation on us, causing us to pick at our faults, our sin, or our weaknesses. Instead, we must receive the love of God--the sacrifice of His Son--in us.

We need His love and forgiveness embedded within our hearts, so as not to be judgmental toward others.

It's really about receiving His love for us.
REALLY RECEIVING IT.
Then, and only then, can we love others the same way.
That's it. We make it too hard.

You are not being selfish in receiving the love of God.
Without receiving it, you can't love others. You'll just put them under law, as you do yourself, apart from His love.

It's true that we're not worthy of His love, but we NEVER WILL BE. We have to get up and get past that. This is worship--acknowledging His great love for us, when we don't deserve it, and then doing the same for others.

I think what often happens, is that we get motivated by our love for God (because of His love for us) and then we try and live up to His standard in our own strength. When we slip away just a bit in our relationship with Him, when our understanding of His love dims a little, and our daily time in His presence, (which reassures us of His love for us), begins to be neglected, then we will eventually try and earn that love back and legalism begins to rise. It just doesn't work. We can't do it that way. We NEED His love as a continual flow in our lives. 

We must remember, and hold close, His love for us, not just our love for Him. This is only possible as we stay in daily, intimate, communion with Him.

See also

Forgiveness Check-up

Healing from the Wounds of Sin.

Hastening the Coming of Jesus

Jesus is coming again. He is returning to earth one day. He spoke of it to His disciples when He was here the first time (See Matthew 24, Luke 17, Luke 21). When He ascended into heaven, as the disciples watched Him rise and disappear into the sky, angels spoke to them and told them that He would return the same way.

 Acts 1:9-11

⁹ And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. ¹¹ They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

 Of course, some people don’t believe this. But as Christians, we do. However, we must keep the overall plan and purpose of God foremost in our minds. We don’t want to grow weary, become skeptical, and allow doubts or distractions to take us away from doing our part in His plan for mankind.

 2 Peter 3:3-15a

³ Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” ⁵ For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, ⁶ through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.

 Peter discusses the mockings of mockers in the end times who say that everything is continuing as it was since the beginning of creation. Nothing’s changed. Where’s the Lord? Peter says it “escapes their notice,” or they forgot, about Noah and the entire population of the world being destroyed by a flood due to the rampant sin at the time. This had occurred about 2500 years before this was written (It’s been about 4500 years now).

 He goes on. . .

  ⁷ But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. ⁸ But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

 He says not to let it escape your notice, even if it has escaped other people’s notice, that the Lord does not forget His promises. He’s not slow, He’s patient. It’s His mercy that makes it seem like a long time coming. He’s waiting for more people to come to repentance before He sends His Son Jesus back to earth to finish up what was started.

 ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

 The day of the Lord is going to happen, suddenly. This time with fire—and intense heat.

 ¹¹ Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

 This is a somber thought, one that leads us into the fear of the Lord. We must not live like the mockers, thinking that it’ll never happen in our lifetime, or if it does, that it’s not going to be that big of deal. We must conduct ourselves in holiness and godliness while waiting for Him to return.

 Then Peter says something interesting,

  ¹² looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! ¹³ But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

 Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. Even though this earth will burn up, we are to still look for and hasten, or speed up, His coming. And He has promised us a new heaven and a new earth—one which contains righteousness.

 ¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, ¹⁵ and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation;

 Peter is encouraging them not to listen to the reasonings of the mockers who think that all is well and it just doesn’t look like the Lord is going to come back.

 Let’s look back at verse 12 in the Amplified Classic regarding the hastening of His coming:

 2 Peter 3:12 AMPC:

¹² While you wait and earnestly long for (expect and hasten) the coming of the day of God. . .

 We are waiting and earnestly longing for the coming of the day of God. It seems that our longing, and our expectancy of this day, actually hastens its coming. Even if we don’t know exactly when it will be. Look at what Jesus said:

 Matthew 24:36-39:

³⁶ “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. ³⁷ For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. ³⁸ For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, ³⁹ and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

 They didn’t understand until the flood came what was going to happen. Then it was too late. The door to the ark was already shut.

 Matthew 24:42, 44

⁴² “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 

 ⁴⁴ For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

 Nobody knows the day or hour when Jesus will return to the earth. It will happen when we don’t think it will. So we must always be ready. Yet, we can recognize when it is getting close, even when it is right at the door.

Matthew 24:33

³³ so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 

 The Lord is going to return to earth. When He does, there will be judgment. Yet for those who believe in Him, it is our hope. It is a promise. His Kingdom rule over the earth should thrill our heart as righteousness and justice will be found in it.

 Now we are living in a period of time called, “The Time of the Gentiles,” as well as the Church Age, which ends with the coming of the Lord. We gain some understanding about this time leading up to His second coming in the book of Revelation.

The Four Horsemen of the First Four Seals

The Church age is, of course, the era of the Church, which began after Jesus’ ascension and continues until the time of His return. During this time the gospel is being preached, while at the same time satan tries to stop it or undo its effects. This has been going on for 2000 years. The book of Revelation portrays it as four horsemen circling the earth with each passing cycle bringing Jesus’ coming closer. (See Revelation 6:1-8, and my blog The Opening of the Seals and the Time of the Gentiles from January, 2024).

Then, in Revelation 6 at the 5^th seal, we see the martyrs under the altar in heaven crying out for Him to avenge their blood, asking, “How long?” Also during the 6^th seal, we begin to see the end, but it’s held back until the 144,000 can be sealed.

 Then in Revelation 8 after the 7^th seal, and the ½ hour of silence, the prayers of the saints, incense, and fire from the altar are thrown to earth, and the sounding of the trumpets begin.

 Two opposite opinions on the coming of Jesus

40 years ago, there were those who didn’t want Jesus to come back yet. They wanted to live their lives, see their children grow up etc. They weren’t very passionate about seeing Jesus’ return. On the other hand, there were those who thought He was coming any second and they were irresponsible, went into debt, didn’t plan for the future etc. These ones weren’t aware of the fact that the Church has a part to play in His return. Yet before Jesus returns, we see martyrs and all the saints praying, and a violent, heavenly response to these prayers.

 I believe our longing for Jesus to come and set up His righteous rule, actually quickens His coming. As Peter said, “Wait and earnestly long for” it. Expect and hasten it. There is a trigger—the trumpet trigger of Revelation when the countdown to His return begins.

 I believe these prayers of the martyrs and all the saints that we see at the 5^th and 7^th seal, this longing for His righteous rule, is when the countdown clock is started, and is indicated in Revelation by the sounding of the trumpets.

Jesus used the analogy of a birth when speaking about the end times (Matthew 28:8).

When a woman is pregnant, for nine months all is well, the baby is growing, but no sign of birth yet. Toward the end she may begin getting uncomfortable and anxious for the birth; then there may be false labor pains, early labor pains, but there finally comes a point of no return. The water breaks, and the countdown clock to the birth begins.

 I believe the sounding of the trumpets begin the final countdown to His return. Once the trumpets start, there’s no turning back. That generation will not pass until everything is fulfilled (Luke 21:32). The clock starts ticking.

 But what triggers the trumpets?

 The final thing seems to be the prayers. We read it right there at the 5^th seal—the cries of the martyrs and after the 7^th seal from the prayers of the saints. The prayers of the saints set off the trumpets and begin the countdown clock.

But there are other things involved. There are (at least) four things that trigger the trumpet-sounding countdown.

•  The Preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom in the Whole World

Jesus said the end would come after the preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom to all the world (Matthew 24:14). We see the preaching of the Gospel represented by the white horse of the 1^st seal.

• The Church becoming His Ekklesia

This occurs when we, the Church, learn to govern under His authority, as His ekklesia. When the disciples began to understand and operate in their authority in Christ, Jesus said He saw satan fall like lightening from heaven (Luke 10:18). This is represented by the first four trumpets—satan is being cast out of heaven.

In Revelation 8:1-12 during the first four trumpet blasts, we see things falling, or being thrown down, from the sky—hail & fire, a great burning mountain, a great star, and then the sun, moon, and stars darkened. Once satan is cast down, he has great wrath, knowing he has a short time (Revelation 12:7-9). This happens when the Church knows their authority over him and begins to use it.

• The Church becoming His pure Bride

This is when the Bride of Christ makes herself ready, and passionately desires Jesus. No longer do we want Him to delay His coming so we can “live our lives.” We want to be with Him! No more delay! We seek purity because of our longing for our Groom. This too hastens His coming. We want to be ready for Him, and we want His righteous rule over the earth. (Revelation 19:7-9, Ephesians 5:26-27, Hebrews 9:27-28, 1 John 3:2-3, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Colossians 1:22).

• The Cries of the Martyrs and Prayers of the Saints

This is the passionate prayer for His judgment and His righteous rule to come. Again, we see this represented in the 5^th and 7^th seals. (Revelation 6:10, 8:3).

We, the Church, have a part to play in His return. We can initiate something in all four of these “triggers.” We must be about His business, preaching the gospel to the nations. We must fall deeply in love with Him and purify our heart. We must know our authority in Him and walk enforce His kingdom rule; and we must pray and long for Him to come and make things right.

 In the last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22, Jesus said three times that He was coming quickly  (verses 7, 12, and 20). In the same chapter, John wrote that “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ Amen. Come Lord Jesus.’” (verses 17 & 20).

 Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come!” Or really to declare, Kingdom of God—come forth! (Matthew 6:10).

 We have a part to play in starting the clock ticking.

 How long does the clock run?

How long is the time period from when the first trumpet sounds until the end? I don’t know that we can say exactly. Some say there is a seven-year tribulation based on Daniel’s 70^th week, however this may not be accurate.

 The short version in explaining this is that 69 of the 70 “weeks” (one week equal to seven years) the angel Gabriel spoke to Daniel about were fulfilled at the coming of Jesus. That left one week, or a seven-year period yet to be fulfilled. (See Daniel 9:24-27).

 However, many believe that the first half of that final week, or 3 ½ years, was fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus. It makes sense because Gabriel told Daniel that the Messiah would put s stop to the sacrifice in the “middle of the week.” Jesus’ ministry was 3 ½ years, and when He died, he put an end to the need for sacrifice. He was the sacrifice—once and for all (Hebrews 9:11-12). Even the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom as He died (Matthew 27:50-51).

 This would leave a remaining 3 ½ years yet to be fulfilled. Four times in the book of Revelation there are periods of 3 ½ years mentioned.

 Rev. 11:2: John was told to measure the temple, but not to measure the court outside the temple for it has been given to the nations who will tread the holy city underfoot for 42 months (3 ½ years).

 Rev. 11:3: The two witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days (just under 3 ½ years).

 Rev. 12:6 The woman (Israel) fled into the wilderness, where she would be nourished for 1,260 days (just short of 3 ½ years). And again in Rev. 12:14 says the woman was nourished for a time, times, and half a time (one year, plus two years, plus a half a year= 3 ½ years).

 Rev. 13:5: The beast was given authority to act for 42 months (3 ½ years).

 (Note: There are also references to similar periods of time, which are around 3 ½ years, in Daniel 12:7, 12:11 and 12:12, and there are references to a type of antichrist during the same vision Daniel had. So there may be similarities to the ministry of Jesus that the antichrist will try and use to deceive before the end comes.)

Though we many not be able to figure out all the details, it’s more important to focus on being close to Jesus and follow His Spirit in taking our place and part. Part of it depends on us. We’re waiting for Him to come and He’s waiting for us to get going!

 Whatever the time period of the final countdown is, God’s people arise at the LAST TRUMP.

 1 Corinthians 15:51-52            

⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 

 Matthew 24:30-31

³⁰ And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. ³¹ And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

 Amen. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Until then, let us do our part as the Church to hasten His coming.

A Word of Exhortation

 Soon, God is leading us into a season of shining His light on our destiny.

We've been coming through a season--a long season--where His light has been revealing our sin. This was to grant us repentance. It is His grace, His mercy, to shine His light and expose our sin.

Repentance is a gift from Him, and during this season of exposing sin we must respond and repent. It has been a long season, but there has been much to expose.

As we remain in this season of repentance, the sin of our nations, our communities, our churches, can also be exposed and judged appropriately. The ultimate purpose, however, is so we may fulfill His destiny in us.

We must not shrink back from this season of repentance--from the bright light of His cleansing--we must go through; for as we go through, we will begin to see our destiny.

His light reveals all. And as our repentance chases away the darkness, the results of our dark deeds, then the air is cleared to reveal our destiny.
As we see it, we can walk in it. We are not those who shrink back (Heb. 10:36-39).

Light is sown for the righteous (Psalm 97:11). Come to the place of His righteousness in Christ and let Him show you your book (Psalm 139:16)--your destiny in Christ.

Tune in to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to show you when this shift is taking place. Let Him show you as the shift occurs for you.

His mercy extends this season of repentance so more may repent, and so all may repent more thoroughly, so His destiny can be more clearly seen and accomplished in you and around you. Don't grow weary-- draw closer to Him.

Don't let this season of repentance go by without taking full advantage of it! Its an investment into your future.

How much light do you want to reap in tomorrow's path? Allow the seeds of His light to be planted in you today.

Light is growing
It's starting to clear the air
So we can see.

Keep with it, with repentance, humility, trembling at His Word.
The revelation of destiny is coming to those who have spent time in repentance, preparing their heart. 

November 28, 2024

The Deceptive Lure of the Flesh

 This may not sound like a pleasant subject, but it is one that is vital to understand. It’s important for Christians to be aware of any obstacles that get in the way of us attempting to pursue our destiny in Christ. A part of that is misunderstanding what the real problem is when we are struggling to do so. And of course, we have an enemy who wants us to remain in the dark about this topic, and actively works to do so. But, like Paul told the Corinthians, “We are not ignorant of his schemes,” (2 Corinthians 2:11). And ignorance IS one of his schemes.

You see, satan doesn't care if we are ignorant about why we can't gain victory in some area of our life, blaming him when the problem is elsewhere. He will not expose truth to us--he can't for he is the father of lies (John 8:44). He will do whatever he can to keep us believing a lie, so we remain in bondage, blaming him when the problem often lies in our own flesh--the sinful nature of it.

Let’s see what Paul said about this to the Romans.

Romans 8:3

³ For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 

The Law of Moses, which the Jews were given as a way to try and attain righteousness before God, never justified anyone due to the sinful nature of man. The Law could not make anyone righteous because no one could keep it. It became powerless to bring people into righteousness with God because the flesh is sinful. Only Jesus kept the Law without sin. Which is why He was able to become the sacrifice for us.

What exactly is the flesh?

Romans 8:5a AMPC

⁵ For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, . . .

The flesh is the sinful nature of mankind with inborn, unholy desires and thought patterns. The flesh is sinful, and weak in its attempt to resist sin (Matthew 26:41). So those who are controlled by the flesh intentionally pursue the gratification of the flesh’s unholy desires. Whether aware of it or not, they allow their flesh to control their minds and, as a result, make decisions that oppose the righteousness of God.

The end result of this is not good.

Romans 8:6a AMPC

⁶ Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter], . . .

So, the flesh is sinful, weak, and the reasoning of the fleshly mind results in death, to include eternal death or separation from God, who is life.

In fact,

Romans 8:7-8

⁷ . . .the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, ⁸ and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

The mind of the flesh does not lead to life, or to righteousness. It cannot keep the law of God, in fact its hostile toward Him—opposes Him. The law of God referenced here is not just talking about the Law of Moses, but His ultimate standard of righteousness—which is written in our hearts.

So those in the flesh—those who have allowed their flesh to dominate their mind and control their decisions—are not pleasing God, they are not on a path of maturing in Christ, and not on a path of life.

So what do we see so far?

The flesh is weak and sinful, and if you allow it to dictate your choices you will pursue that which gratifies your fleshly appetites, not please the Holy Spirit. In fact, you will be in opposition—hostile—toward God, not subjecting yourself to His Word, and therefore not pleasing Him. Is this how a Christian should live? God forbid. (Bear with me, good news is coming!)

What about when we do want to do good and live right, we have the Holy Spirit in us, but still struggle in the flesh? Paul explains.

Romans 7:18

¹⁸ For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 

Paul says that in his flesh (and in ours too) there is nothing good. Which is why we might want to do what’s right, but in our flesh we don’t have the ability to do so. Remember, those in the flesh CANNOT please God.

Paul goes on—

Romans 7:22-23

²² For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, ²³ but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

So the flesh wages war against your mind in order to bring your entire being into a prison of sin. Your flesh seeks to influence your mind so as to dominate it and get what it wants, The “law of sin” is in our flesh—our bodies—and like a spoiled brat, it is in opposition to God. We may agree with God’s way of living in our inner man, our spirit, while our flesh is warring against our mind.

I’m driving home the point that being led by our fleshly desires is not just displeasing to God, but outright dangerous for ourselves. Your flesh is waging war against you and your destiny! It’s warring against your mind to try and gain control.

So, how do we overcome?

2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, ⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. ⁵ We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 

A broader definition of verse five in the Amplified Bible:

2 Corinthians 10:5 AMPC

⁵ [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

The “fortresses” that need to be destroyed in order for us to gain victory in our spiritual battles are our thoughts—those reasonings, theories, arguments, etc. that oppose Christ. The battle is in our mind and over our mind. And these are not just thoughts from the enemy, or from the world around us, although that’s a part of it, but these are thoughts of our OWN FLESH.

Your own flesh is waging war against your mind, to try and control it, for the purpose of self-gratification. The flesh and the Spirit of God are in opposition to one another.

Galatians 5:16-18

¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 

It’s vital we understand this because, though there is a time to rebuke the devil and demons, if we are doing so when it’s our flesh waging war against us, then we will be directing our attention to the wrong place and we will not gain victory, while the devil just laughs at us. He doesn’t mind taking the blame if our ignorance will keep us in bondage—unable to pursue God’s destiny for us. God’s destiny for us means trouble for him.

We fight by gaining victory in our minds, our thoughts, and that is done through walking by the Spirit of God. We don’t fight our flesh in the flesh.

So is your body bad?

There is a deception out there that tells you that you must severely mistreat your body to bring it under control. This kind of teaching may give an appearance of some kind of sacrificial religious behavior, but it too is a fleshly mindset. It is of no value against fleshly indulgence. Abusing your body will not stop your flesh from trying to take control. It is a spiritual battle, even though it involves the flesh.

Paul explains this to the Colossians:

Colossians 2:18, 23

¹⁸ Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 

²³ These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

God does not want us to engage in severe (mis)treatment of the body, or to abuse our bodies, that is not how we war against fleshly appetites. I want to make that clear, that is an extreme.

God has a purpose for your body—

Your body was made to house the Spirit of God. When it does, and you welcome and yield to His Spirit, then His glory shines in and through you. Consider these Scriptures:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? ²⁰ For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7

⁶ For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 

James 4:5 AMPC

⁵ Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?

These are just few of the Scriptures which speak of our bodies, which house our spirit, also housing the Holy Spirit who is in us who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord. Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Our earthen vessels contain the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. God yearns over us, and He yearns for us to welcome His Spirit within us. What an honor and a privilege to house the Holy Spirit of the living God in our bodies! See also Psalm 139:13-17

So, again, how do we not give in to our fleshly appetites and gain victory over them in our mind? Let’s look again, with more detail this time, at what Paul wrote to the Romans.

Romans 8:1-2

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 

There is a greater law than the Law of Moses, or any law that we might try and use to gain freedom from sin and it’s consequence—death. This greater law is the, “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” This law has set us free from the law of sin and death!

Romans 8:3-4

³ For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

God did, through Jesus, what the Law couldn’t do due to the weakness of our flesh. Now, as we walk according to the Spirit, and not the flesh, we fulfil the requirement of the Law.

Romans 8:5-6

 ⁵ For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 

As we pursue the things of the Spirit—setting our mind to do so—the result is life and peace, not death.

Romans 8:9-11

⁹ However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. ¹⁰ If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

We are not “in the flesh” but “in the Spirit” if we have the Spirit of God in us. Our spirit is alive because of the righteousness we have in Christ Jesus. His Spirit in us gives life to our mortal bodies.

HOWEVER, we can still get “in the flesh” by allowing it to win battles against our mind. When we have the Spirit of God in us, we have the ability to overcome sin, but we have to walk it out. It’s not enough to have Him in us, and then ignore Him and still listen to the flesh. (That’s like jumping out of an airplane holding your parachute but never opening it up).

Romans 8:12-13

¹² So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— ¹³ for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 

We are not under obligation, as Christians, to live according to the flesh—which brings death. But, we are under obligation to, by the Spirit of God within us, put down the fleshly appetites, desires, cravings, etc. that try and control our decision making and therefore our actions, words, thoughts, desires, pursuits etc.

It is only by the Spirit of God that we can “put to death the deeds of the body.” Of course, this is not killing your physical body, but bringing your fleshly appetites, impulses, and sinful desires to a halt. (See 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Remember, the flesh wants your mind, so it can control your body.

It’s not always demons bringing you thoughts, it’s your own flesh.

You don’t rebuke, resist, or cast out your flesh like you do demons, you bring it under subjection.

Fasting is a great example of bringing fleshly appetites under control. If you want to know the voice of God, go on a fast and you’ll hear the difference! The flesh will either scream or pout to get its way (food) or will talk sweetly to you, and rationalize why God says it’s okay to eat now.

There is a certain amount of “suffering” that brings discipline to your flesh.

Romans 8:16-17

¹⁶ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

1 Peter 4:1-2

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 

Jesus didn’t just suffer in the flesh when He died on the cross. He resisted sin His entire life, just like we are to do throughout our life. Peter said, “He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” Again, not by abuse, but disciplining your flesh like you would a child—not giving it everything it wants. The rest of our time here on earth in the flesh, should be done for the will of God, not the pleasures of our flesh, and this, by the way, will bring the greatest satisfaction. Far beyond temporary sinful pleasures.

I know this may be hard to hear, but if we don’t learn to bring our flesh under subjection, it may get such advantage over us that we are unable to do the will of God and fulfill the purposes He sent us here for. Remember, the flesh is weak, sinful, cannot please God, and is waging war against your mind.

Something like fasting will help you discern between the voice of your flesh and the Spirit of God. Your flesh has a voice. You will hear it when you fast! Let that help you learn to discern the voice of the Spirit of God.

And remember, It’s not the letter of the Law, or any law, that gives life, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6). The purpose of the Law was to reveal that mankind was unable to keep it. We can’t keep God’s law on our own. It revealed the sinful passions working in our bodies, and that all of us fall short of God’s holy standards and are deserving of death. The Law was good, but it was beyond what man could keep.

Romans 7:5

⁵ For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

The Law was like a light shining to reveal that the cravings of the flesh oppose the ways of God.

Romans 7:13

¹³ Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

The Law was revealing sin—exposing it. Both what sin is AND that our flesh craves for it.

Romans 6:22-23

²² But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As believers in Christ Jesus, having made Him our Lord, we are freed from sin and enslaved to God. The result is for our own benefit—sanctification, which results in eternal life. This “enslavement” brings a new level of freedom. Sin enslaves to result in death, but God’s enslavement leads to life and fulfillment of our destiny and purpose.

You have a choice not to yield to sin

Romans 6:12-14

¹² Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, ¹³ and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Paul goes on to make sure they understood that just because you are not under the law, but under grace, doesn’t mean you can continue in sin. Absolutely not, just the opposite; which is why he went into the whole discussion in chapters 7 and 8 which we just covered.

The point is, you have a choice, meaning that you don’t have to be overcome with sin. It’s not a choice in the sense that you can sin if you want and get away with it not affecting you; it’s a choice, and an opportunity, to overcome it by not yielding to it. The assumption is that you WANT to overcome it.

When its all said and done, the Bible was written for those who want to live righteously and please God. However, if you are living for yourself, your own pursuits and pleasures, the Bible is not for you, until you want to change. Do we want to be good people, or not? The Bible is the only way.

There is a deceptive aspect of giving in to the lures of the flesh.

Giving in to the appetites of the flesh will affect your thinking. These appetites are not just about satisfying a physical desire, but are ultimately after your mind. The more you yield to them, they gain a place in your thinking—to control you. It works much like an addiction. At first, it’s fun, then it enslaves you, and finally destroys you.

The deceptive aspect to it, is the justifications and reasonings, which open the door to sins of the mind—pride, vanity, selfish ambition & recognition, laziness. The longer it goes on, the more you think you’re “getting away with it,” and the bigger hook it has in you.

The flesh and the fleshly mind want to be fed—entertained, catered to etc. which is a self-centered “kingdom.”

The mind of the Spirit leads you into creativity, purpose, that which gives and builds the kingdom of God.

There is a connection between the appetites of the flesh and the deception of the mind.

Key Points:

 

Your flesh is opposed to God and wages war against your mind to try and control your thinking & actions.

Though there is a time to rebuke the devil and demons, if we are doing so when it’s our flesh waging war against us, then we will be directing our attention to the wrong thing and we will not gain victory. We need discernment, for your flesh will try and hide behind the demon thing.

Abusing your body will not stop your flesh from trying to take control. It is a spiritual battle, even though it involves the flesh. Your body is a beautiful creation by God, made to house the Holy Spirit.

We are not “in the flesh” but “in the Spirit” if we have the Spirit of God in us. HOWEVER, we can still get “in the flesh” by allowing it to win battles against our mind. Don’t give in. Don’t compromise.

It is our obligation that, by the Spirit of God within us, we put down the fleshly appetites that try and control our decision making and therefore our actions, words, thoughts, desires, pursuits etc.

Fasting is an excellent way to bring your fleshly appetites under control, and to help you discern between the voice of the flesh and the Voice of God.

If we don’t learn to bring our flesh under subjection, it may gain such advantage over us that we are unable to do the will of God and fulfill the purposes He sent us here for.

The law revealed both what sin is AND that our flesh craves for it. However, don’t try and force your behavior through a set of rules, but be led and controlled by the Spirit of God.

As believers in Christ Jesus, having made Him our Lord, we are freed from sin and enslaved to God. The result is for our own benefit—sanctification, which results in eternal life.

You have a choice, meaning that you don’t have to be overcome with sin. The assumption is that you WANT to overcome it.

There is a deceptive aspect of giving in to the lures of the flesh. It will affect your thinking, giving sin a foothold, and eventually a stronghold.

 There is much more to cover on this topic, especially when you get into the realm of the soul. And, of course, there are times demonic influence needs to be booted out with the authority we’ve been given in the Name of Jesus. But we must be aware of the nature of our flesh and that it is something we need to deal with and keep in check on a regular basis.

Prayer—

Father God, we’re serious about You, our relationship with You, and the salvation You’ve given us.

Jesus, we want You as Lord. Not just as a catchy phrase, but we seriously want You to rule over us—all of us—spirit, soul and body.

Holy Spirit, we welcome You. Come, fill us, fall on us. Lead us, guide us, teach us.

We tear down all strongholds of thinking that oppose Christ, and bring every thought captive to Him.

Give us wisdom and reveal the schemes of, not only the devil and his cohorts, but our own flesh.

We do not want to oppose You in any way.

God, please forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Lead us in the paths of righteousness.

We determine not to compromise with sin, or with our ungodly fleshly appetites.

Show us when and how and what to fast.

Help us learn to discern Your voice from all others.

We want Your righteousness.

We want to overcome sin and the weakness and sinfulness of our flesh.

We thank You for our physical bodies, we will not abuse them, yet we know we can’t gain righteousness or victory over sin through forcing a law upon our bodies.

We yield to You, Holy Spirit, and choose to walk in the Spirit, after the Spirit, after Your heart.

Thank You Jesus for the victory You bought and paid for us with Your own suffering. We follow You and Your ways in all that we do.

We thank You that You always cause us to triumph in You, and we are more than conquerors through You who loved us.