Lust Of The flesh, or Heart For The Spirit?

-For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Where shall we go then? What shall we do? How do we rein in our carnality and hone our spirituality? Do we harness only what is good and shun those who are evil? Or do we sift and pour the Word out to those on both sides of the coin?  Well, it’s a balance act. Jesus in Luke 5:31 made it perfectly clear that He was there to help the “sick” not the ones who are whole. So, yes, we harness what is good and share the Word with others, while we resist and turn from evil.

Luke 5:31 Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

In today’s world, we are witnessing a rise of social immorality and a total lack of indifference towards the LORD. As Christians, we are called to live a good and moral life, even when we face evil and temptation from every corner of our lives. How can we do this? How can we maintain our faith and integrity in such a chaotic world?  Prayers, the Bible, and our discerning spirit are just a few ways that can help us temper our thoughts into a viable existence among the fray of evil that seems to peep out from every corner of our lives these days.

Galatians 5:16: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

How do we walk in the Spirit? By taking in what is good and pure not subjecting yourselves to be partakers in what is glaringly wrong. We carefully watch what we read, what we view on television, or what we do or say in social gatherings. Instead, we do what is essentially correct and morally right. How? Mainly by being obedient in the Word and incorporating it into our lives as best we can. And praying for strength and wisdom to do so.

We know that basically, we WILL fall short from time to time. And it is expected, because we are in the flesh. However, when we are keenly aware of what is happening and purposely transform into another mode of thought, like the mind of Christ…we are inherently protected. It is a struggle a constant source of “duels in the mind” as we wrestle against the flesh…but Christ has the victory, and through Him so do we!

1 Peter 2:11: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

So, abstaining? What is that? Not participating in an act or behavior that is not in the ways of the LORD. There are many different forms of abstinence. The flesh is attracted to heightened pleasures that are superficial and fleeting at best. The flesh is piqued with interest at things that bring joy in the moment of the act of “wrongdoing.” Ultimately, those of faith will reconcile that it’s wrong, and hopefully veer back on the right path. The long-term rewards of abstaining from what is wrong in terms of God’s Word brings future rewards of those promises that the LORD will hand out in the Eternity. Rewards that will far outweigh all and anything here on earth.

James 4:4: Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

I ask you this, would you rather be friends with the “world” or please the LORD? Would you rather be popular with the world or a soldier in His army and honor and love Him, the One that matters, in all you do?

My choice is simple and a no brainer. I will choose God over the world and hope to stay on the path that leads straight to His heart and His door every single time.

So, as James states, anything that is against what is right in God’s eyes, we are thereby considered an enemy of the LORD. When we indulge in the worldly temptations and cavort about as sinners, we eventually will pay a dire price and suffer the consequences of such behavior, not only here on earth, but in the afterlife.

Who among us doesn’t want to be right with the LORD?

“Dear LORD, may I have the ability and strength through the Spirit to be on a course that leads to Your door and Your heart, today and all the days of my life, and may I be guided daily by Your Word, Your promises, and Your love, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”