Food for thought: is it wrong to walk in the flesh at all?

[Johnny4ChristJesus]

Do you think it is always wrong to "walk in your flesh"? For example, is it wrong to watch a TV show or respond to a earthly question or attend a football game?

If you believe it is not, where, or maybe how, do you draw your dividing line--of when you are walking in the flesh, not after the Spirit?

If you think it is, how do you manage to function within this world without alienating yourself from everyone you were kept here to reach?

 

[SkyWriting]

Do you think it is always wrong to "walk in your flesh"? For example, is it wrong to watch a TV show or respond to a earthly question or attend a football game?

If you believe it is not, where, or maybe how, do you draw your dividing line--of when you are walking in the flesh, not after the Spirit?

If you think it is, how do you manage to function within this world without alienating yourself from everyone you were kept here to reach?

Never. Jesus walked everywhere. The difference is if you take the Spirit with you, or you leave God behind. And this is not about trying to make converts. Just keep God with you no matter where you go and He will shine light on your experiences.

 

[Dave L]

Do you think it is always wrong to "walk in your flesh"? For example, is it wrong to watch a TV show or respond to a earthly question or attend a football game?

If you believe it is not, where, or maybe how, do you draw your dividing line--of when you are walking in the flesh, not after the Spirit?

If you think it is, how do you manage to function within this world without alienating yourself from everyone you were kept here to reach?

Walking in the flesh = hatred motivates your thoughts and actions. Walking in the Spirit = love motivates your thoughts and actions. Legalism and abstinence is nothing but asceticism.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

For me (walking in the flesh) is when I'm doing something that satisfies the flesh but, disrupts the Holy Spirit within me.

Enjoying a bicycle ride or a hike or a nice meal I do not think would be walking in the flesh.



M-Bob

 

[Johnny4ChristJesus]

Walking in the flesh = hatred motivates your thoughts and actions. Walking in the Spirit = love motivates your thoughts and actions. Legalism and abstinence is nothing but asceticism.

Just for clarification: How do you classify something that isn't motivated by hatred or love?

Using the examples I gave, you believe time watching TV or going to worldly events would be okay, because doing that would be neither motivated by hatred or love? Is that a correct interpretation of what you said?

Does you think there is a point where or how you spend your time has a negative impact on one's ability to love or a positive impact on one's ability to hate?

 

[Johnny4ChristJesus]

For me (walking in the flesh) is when I'm doing something that satisfies the flesh but, disrupts the Holy Spirit within me.

Enjoying a bicycle ride or a hike or a nice meal I do not think would be walking in the flesh.



M-Bob

When you say "disrupts the Holy Spirit within you" are you referring to "feeling that check in your spirit" or a lack of peace about what you are doing, both, or something else?

How do you respond when you feel that?

 

[Dave L]

Just for clarification: How do you classify something that isn't motivated by hatred or love?

Using the examples I gave, you believe time watching TV or going to worldly events would be okay, because doing that would be neither motivated by hatred or love? Is that a correct interpretation of what you said?

Does you think there is a point where or how you spend your time has a negative impact on one's ability to love or a positive impact on one's ability to hate?

Does entertainment excite lust (hatred)? Or does it tend to love?

 

[Johnny4ChristJesus]

Never. Jesus walked everywhere. The difference is if you take the Spirit with you, or you leave God behind. And this is not about trying to make converts. Just keep God with you no matter where you go and He will shine light on your experiences.

I think I follow what you are saying. As long as you are walking with the Spirit in whatever you do, you are good. So, if the Spirit says no, you don't go. If you don't feel the Spirit saying no, then you go. And you make yourself available for God to use you wherever you are. Is that consistent with what you were saying?

You added the part about "this not being about trying to make converts"; but if we look different than the world, because He shines His Light through us, shouldn't that necessarily open at least a conversation about Him or an offer to pray for someone, if we are willing? And, if we aren't willing, are we really taking God with us or hiding Him in our backpack?

 

[Mountainmanbob]

When you say "disrupts the Holy Spirit within you" are you referring to "feeling that check in your spirit" or a lack of peace about what you are doing, both, or something else?

How do you respond when you feel that?

As you probably know it can come in many forms?

A slight nudge.
Being shown the correct way.
Deep sorrow for my sin.
A healthy conscience.

A call to repent yet again.

Sometimes causing one to be sick and tired of them self and their sin.

You hit on a big one lack of peace within one's self.

Such a long list could go on and on.

M-Bob

 

[Johnny4ChristJesus]

Does entertainment excite lust (hatred)? Or does it tend to love?

What do you think?

I think entertainment is more designed to excite/incite hatred than love (given the two choices you limited me to), because it is "of the world". And the spirit and the world are at That doesn't mean we can't watch or participate. Jesus certainly did. But, Jesus maintained Himself through it. He didn't succumb to what many did. We have an obligation before God to do the same.

When people go to a football game for instance, are they engendered to love the other team or want their team to beat the other team to a pulp? When parents go to watch their kids play, do they put into question their sanctification with regards to what comes out of their mouth or do they keep themselves in check? When people see the latest trends on TV, designed to make people think certain lifestyles are normal or even good, do we declare our rejection of those things as bad to our kids or just let them watch without tempering the entertainment with Truth? When santa claus is available to all, do we teach our kids to believe that lie or do we make sure they know the truth--and even allow them to speak it to their friends? When our children speak to others about God, are we embarrassed? If so, whose team are we really on?

 

[Dave L]

What do you think?

I think entertainment is more designed to excite/incite hatred than love (given the two choices you limited me to), because it is "of the world". And the spirit and the world are at That doesn't mean we can't watch or participate. Jesus certainly did. But, Jesus maintained Himself through it. He didn't succumb to what many did. We have an obligation before God to do the same.

When people go to a football game for instance, are they engendered to love the other team or want their team to beat the other team to a pulp? When parents go to watch their kids play, do they put into question their sanctification with regards to what comes out of their mouth or do they keep themselves in check? When people see the latest trends on TV, designed to make people think certain lifestyles are normal or even good, do we declare our rejection of those things as bad to our kids or just let them watch without tempering the entertainment with Truth? When santa claus is available to all, do we teach our kids to believe that lie or do we make sure they know the truth--and even allow them to speak it to their friends? When our children speak to others about God, are we embarrassed? If so, whose team are we really on?

Here's another way of looking at it. You can look at a window and see all the defects, the smudges, and chips. Or you can look through the window and see God controlling all. And find worship in many ways unavailable to those who overlook his hand in all.

 

[Cheylynn]

Do you think it is always wrong to "walk in your flesh"? For example, is it wrong to watch a TV show or respond to a earthly question or attend a football game?

If you believe it is not, where, or maybe how, do you draw your dividing line--of when you are walking in the flesh, not after the Spirit?

If you think it is, how do you manage to function within this world without alienating yourself from everyone you were kept here to reach?

The question posed to those who profess to be followers of Christ is more about being mindful, and vigilent to not walk by the LUSTS of our flesh. One person may enjoy going to a football game, and another it is his/her lust. The life of a follower is not about do's and don'ts but about walking in truth with our God. To say that we can go and do anything - as long as we bring His Spirit is not biblically correct either.

 

[Johnny4ChristJesus]

Here's another way of looking at it. You can look at a window and see all the defects, the smudges, and chips. Or you can look through the window and see God controlling all. And find worship in many ways unavailable to those who overlook his hand in all.

You mean like, for example:

God is responsible for physical beauty in a woman, so it is okay for someone who is walking with God to engage in whatever he wants--let's say commit adultery--because he sees through the window and sees God controlling all, so everything is clean for him. He believes and tells others "God wouldn't want me to be unhappy", so he divorces his wife and leaves his children in order to marry the one he had an adulterous affair with. Some in high positions in their church structure act quickly to mitigate the damage since they supported the guy. Without him working to restore his marriage and instead allowing him to divorce and marry this new flame, they develop a unique restoration process. And he worships God for providing a new and younger wife that he lusts after. And starts going out to preach about Jesus again.

He's certainly found new ways to worship that are unavailable to those of us who disagree with you about the clarity and clearness of that window you claim to see through.

 

[1213]

Do you think it is always wrong to "walk in your flesh"? For example, is it wrong to watch a TV show or respond to a earthly question or attend a football game?

Actually, I think it is quite simple. The teaching is, love God and love your neighbor. According to the Bible, love God means that you keep His commandments and His commandments is that you love your neighbor as yourself. If watching tv for example makes you love less God and less your neighbor, then it is better to quit.

Basically, anything that makes you reject God, is no good. And if you don’t reject God, you don’t have sin.

”All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought under the power of anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12

"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are profitable. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up."
1 Corinthians 10:23

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," [TR adds "You shall not give false testimony,"] and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:8-10

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.
1 John 5:3

But I would also say, don’t let anything else than God rule you.

 

[Blade]

The word makes it clear. Not once does it say..its OK! Not sometimes not ever. Says.. walk in the spirit and you wont fulfill the lusts of the flesh..

ME...everything.. must be able to go through Christ. Christ was on this earth..yet NEVER did He walk in the flesh. So many do not understand walking in the spirit. ----->Praying in the Spirit <---this alone.. many will fight argue debate it.

Me..if I am no longer of this world.. if this world is not my home. If I am an ambassador for Christ..I don't take part in the things of this world. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

Now...did we read that? "ALL that is in the world"...going to know debate just what ALL means? All is all and thats all that all means..by BH.

ME...every time I take my eyes off Him..and on this world.. something that is NOT from or of Him will ALWAYS happen. See.. it ALWAYS has to be about HIM.. ALWAYS giving HIM the glory. Your free..to some degree in this time bubble. And you can do ANYTHING you want...

Rom 7...really good. See your free.. you like Paul and do ANYTHING you want...but.. if Christ is not part of it.. it will not have any fruit at all. See I desire to do think say EVERYTHING Christ. I dont want to do ANYTHING for me..only Him. This is not my home. I will not collect riches/treasures (thats NOT the 1st meaning of the world) in this world. See rewards which I do NOT work for.. but are the things I do for Him.. where I get no glory..where I get no praise no thanks.. WHY would I want to rob Him? For ALL that I can do that is GOOD.. is because of Him. I like our Brother Paul KNOW and undedrstand why I MUST die every day.. no good in me.. its the sin in me. ALL good comes From Him..

Yet.. the things I KNOW I should do I dont.. when you do ALL things mind soul heart.. believe stand on HIS word.. WOW..just WOW the things of GOD that happen.. to what I want to do.. with some of Him now and then.. like every other day.. Nothing happens.. no one got saved.. no pray got answered..or if it did I missed it. Talk.. play games.. computer games.. watch movies.. ALL is not sin.. yet.. He is not in it.. He gets not glory..

Your free... See this SALVATION .. SO much to it.. we never fully understand it till we are with Him.. THEN we will see just what ALL this was really about.. again.. this it not your home... your free choice.. He does not judge you nor condemn you if you read books.. watch movies.. what ever.. if YOU WANT to give Him ever moment.. see what happens