Day 6 – What does it mean to overcome the flesh?
~Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
The flesh contains no good thing, according to Paul. We are born sinners and we do not need to be taught how to sin. Look at any toddler and you will see the evidence of this statement.
~Romans 7:18a For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:
The first step is to be able to recognize these things in our lives. How can one recognize them if one is knee-deep in the world? I have seen what allowing the world into one’s life can do to a person. I know someone personally who use to live right. Somehow the devil has gotten compromise in this brother’s life and now he is doing things I never dreamed I’d ever see him do. He still goes to his church and serves in different ministries there. The sad thing is he no longer views these compromises as sin but as his “right” and “liberty” in Christ! It grieves me to see someone use Christianity as an excuse to do whatever they want. (Romans 6:1-2) There’s no consideration given to the weaker brother who is watching and may be pushed right into sin because of the poor testimony displayed by this man.
I find this type of worldly behavior by Christians as immature. They are like toddlers who keep saying, “Mine!” “Give me!” “I want!” “Don’t tell me what to do!” A human being’s growth from baby to adult is very much like the spiritual life of a Christian. A dear friend wrote the following and I’ve used it a few times in my blog. However, it is so relevant to this topic I thought it was worth repeating!
Spiritual Growth Chart
Babies
Pacifier – Always needing to feel like you are eating but happy with just going through the motions and not really having to swallow anything or digest any truth.
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (Hebrews 5:13)
Diaper Changes – Making messes uncontrollably that must be cleaned up by other more mature people.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Crying for attention – Crying not because of pain or hunger, cold or hot, or any other discomfort but because you want attention. Babies lie to get attention!
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:11)
Thoughts – They know that they exist and they begin to learn.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: (Psalms 139:23)
Toddlers
Banging Heads – They see what they want and plunge in after it but they never see any danger.
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. (Proverbs 4:19)
Poison – They will put anything in their mouths.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)
Falls – They will walk right off of the edge or trip over the most obvious hazards.
But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. (John 11:10)
Undisciplined – This is the age where discipline must be taught, this is where we learn what no means.
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (Proverbs 13:24)
Learning – Begin to learn the first hard lessons of life usually the hard way.
Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. (Psalms 25:4)
Childhood
Newness – Everything is new and must be discovered. This is where the greatest learning takes place.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
Recognition – We begin to recognize what causes sickness and pain, joy and pleasure.
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. (Psalms 119:7)
Socialization – We learn to play with others and learn from someone other than our parents.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Independence – We can feed ourselves and maintain ourselves with only a little help and nudging. We begin to make decisions.
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. (1 John 2:14)
Education – The beginning of a formal education they learn the basics from adults.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalms 111:10)
Pre-Teen – Teen
Assertion – We begin to assert ourselves as individuals and demand some control over our lives.
Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. (Deuteronomy 8:6)
Rebellion – We rebel against the authority of others over our life.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1 Samuel 15:23)
Individuality – We begin to show our individuality and uniqueness.
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (1 Corinthians 12:18 )
Abilities – We now have the ability to do constructive work or to destroy the work of others.
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? (1 Corinthians 12:17)
Pride – We gain pride thus reaching the age of accountability.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18 )
Self centered – The world is there to serve us. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (Philippians 2:4)
Knowledge – Begins to become knowledgeable of the deeper things of the World around them.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
Adult
Responsibility – Takes responsibility for his own actions good or bad.
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. (1 John 2:10)
Wisdom – Understands truth and his own limitations thus reverences the Creator.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. (Proverbs 16:31)
Service – Works for the benefit of others and not just for self.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (2 Timothy 2:24) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2 Timothy 2:25) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:26)
Sacrifice – Gives of themselves for their family and the ones that they love.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
Diligence – Does the routine things and the things that are expected of them.
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. (Proverbs 22:29)
Higher Education – They can now gain that higher knowledge of the mysterious things of creation and beyond.
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. (Psalms 143:10)
So, my friend, where are you in the Spiritual Growth Chart? Are you as far away from the stench of worldliness or have you hung around it long enough that the “scent” is all over you? This need not be your story. Paul said you can turn it around by living soberly, righteously, and godly. Get in the word of God, Christian. Stop quenching the Holy Spirit of God and allow Him to prick your heart and point out the areas of compromise and worldliness you to need to work on. It’s never too late to turn your life around and be at peace once again. If you were to be totally honest, you cannot say that your worldly life has brought you any true peace. Won’t you turn today and serve the Lord again?
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