For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12 (ESV)
As Christians, we are engaged in many battles on what seems to be many fronts. And we often look at the above verse to remind us that the people involved are not the enemy ... and rightly so. But have you ever applied that verse to the battle against your own flesh? Do you spend your time and energy wrestling with yourself?
We can fall into the trap of spending a lot of time in trying to bring our own flesh and its desires into line with God's Word and way. I've got news for you, that time spent is time wasted. Scripture says the flesh can never please God. Christ condemned sin in the flesh he did not sanctify the flesh. You cannot bring your flesh into line with God. You cannot make yourself over, there's no such thing as self-help. Paul writes in Colossians that submitting to regulations according to human precepts and teachings have the appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Fighting the flesh is in reality feeding the flesh. Our minds are to be set upon things that are above, where Christ is. Our flesh is to be put to death. Jesus talked about the futility of spending all your time cleaning the outside of the cup. Don't do that, spend your time and energy drawing nearer to Him. Change your focus and He will change you. Think on things that are good and pure and noble and right. Sow to the spirit and not to the flesh. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you. Scripture is full of these kind of admonitions. So what should you do? Reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Copyright © 2006 Greg Holl. All rights reserved.
As Christians, we are engaged in many battles on what seems to be many fronts. And we often look at the above verse to remind us that the people involved are not the enemy ... and rightly so. But have you ever applied that verse to the battle against your own flesh? Do you spend your time and energy wrestling with yourself?
We can fall into the trap of spending a lot of time in trying to bring our own flesh and its desires into line with God's Word and way. I've got news for you, that time spent is time wasted. Scripture says the flesh can never please God. Christ condemned sin in the flesh he did not sanctify the flesh. You cannot bring your flesh into line with God. You cannot make yourself over, there's no such thing as self-help. Paul writes in Colossians that submitting to regulations according to human precepts and teachings have the appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Fighting the flesh is in reality feeding the flesh. Our minds are to be set upon things that are above, where Christ is. Our flesh is to be put to death. Jesus talked about the futility of spending all your time cleaning the outside of the cup. Don't do that, spend your time and energy drawing nearer to Him. Change your focus and He will change you. Think on things that are good and pure and noble and right. Sow to the spirit and not to the flesh. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you. Scripture is full of these kind of admonitions. So what should you do? Reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Copyright © 2006 Greg Holl. All rights reserved.
