MORTIFY THE FLESH
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Our greatest battle, it seems to me, is the battle with our own flesh. Mainly, our flesh wants to occupy the throne room in our own spirit, and our flesh will prevent Jesus Christ from having His rightful place in our hearts.
Unfortunately for us, we do not have the strength, or self-control, to actually be in charge of our own welfare. If we do not willingly allow Jesus Christ to run our life, there are plenty of demonic spirits that will move in to take charge of our emotions and our actions.
We are in a similar predicament as Frodo Baggins, in J.R.R. Tolkiens’ “Lord of the Rings”. He could not wield the “ring of power” because if he attempted to wear the ring, eventually it would begin to “wield him”. Similarly, if we attempt to manage our own life, eventually our flesh will take us places we do not want to go, and it will keep us longer than we want to stay.
The only way we can accomplish our mission here on earth…and we do have a mission…is to “dedicate” our life to Jesus Christ.
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Imagine that Jesus Christ knocks on the door of your heart and you invite Him into your heart to have fellowship. Now imagine your flesh is making itself at home in your heart and demanding all of your attention. You cannot fellowship with Jesus AND cater to your flesh at the same time. Your flesh wants to be fed, pampered, entertained, spoiled, etc., etc., just imagine a celebrity prima donna, or a spoiled brat, wanting every minute of your time and ALL of your attention … THAT is your flesh!
If you really want to fellowship with Jesus Christ, your flesh must be dealt with FIRST.
Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
The Book of Romans tells us not to make PROVISION for the flesh.
PROVISION: G4307, pronoia
Thayer Definition:
- forethought, providential care
- to make provision for a thing
The Word of God tells us not to take “forethought” or “make provision” for our flesh. However, the world tells us to do just the opposite. The world tells us to get a good education, obtain steady employment, and then to save or invest for our retirement. The world is all about providing for our flesh and catering to our lust and our appetites. The world and our flesh are both working together to keep us busy, busy, busy. If we do not deal with our flesh, Satan will deal with it for us:
1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
This explains the root of all our problems. Satan’s main agenda is to bring us under the power of our flesh and thus to enslave us to his purposes, (i.e. to steal, kill, and destroy us). Satan gets his hooks in us via the lust of our flesh. If we could truly mortify our flesh, Satan would not be able to have any influence over us at all. Fortunately, the Word of God tells us how to mortify our flesh.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
If we WALK IN THE SPIRIT, we shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. The Key to walking in the Spirit is HEARING the voice of God. The problem most people have, me included, is that our flesh does such an excellent job of drowning out the voice of God. Walking in the Spirit is a simple process, but it is an impossible process without following the lead of the Holy Spirit.
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
When Jesus Christ was crucified two thousand years ago, although it is difficult for us to comprehend, we were also crucified with Him.
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
When we are young and impressionable, we are often taught many things that are contrary to the Word of God. When we are young, we are like soft clay that can be formed and molded into any shape that our family, schools, community, and government determine is best to serve their various missions and goals. As we get older, these false ideas and beliefs tend to harden into place. It is impossible to free our minds without some outside assistance…namely the Holy Spirit. We all need to be taught directly by God!
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema) that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
WORD: G4487, rhēma, hray'-mah
From G4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specifically); by implication a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever: - + evil, + nothing, saying, word.
Two Greek words are translated as “word” in the New Testament. The simplest way to understand the difference is LOGOS means God’s Word spoken to all of His creation (a proclamation), while RHEMA is God’s Word spoken directly to each of us individually (a conversation). You might want to take some time and read the following article if you need a more in depth explanation of logos and rhema:
http://www.motsog.com/fundamentals/rhema
Our main goal in life should be to become as intimate with God as possible. The only way to become intimate with God is to talk with Him! However, like I mentioned before, our flesh always like to be in charge and keep our attention focused on the flesh. Listen to what Jesus said to the multitudes following Him:
Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
Joh 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Our modern televangelist gospel has twisted the gospel into a message of prosperity and catering to our flesh. The message that God wants us all to be rich and pampered is killing any intimacy we might possibly have with God.
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
The flesh profiteth NOTHING! It is really, really important that we MORTIFY OUR FLESH! The fastest way to quiet our flesh is by FASTING, PRAYING, AND READING THE WORD. Unfortunately, our modern world makes it exceedingly difficult to fast, pray, and read the Word for any extended period of time. However, this is the quickest way to start receiving a personal Word (rhema) from God. You MUST get away from the world!
Joh 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
Joh 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself ALONE.
Even Jesus had to get away by himself every once in a while. We need to spend time with God in order to recharge our battery. If you think of yourself as a battery, it is much easier to understand. The cares of this world are constantly draining our battery, and ONLY God can recharge our battery. Try and spend some time alone with God and see if some well meaning people don’t suddenly start coming out of the woodwork inviting you to barbecues or surprising you with a plate full of brownies. Financial or medical emergencies (that only you can handle) will begin to happen one right after the other, with no end in sight.
Sometimes, we just need to TAKE some time to be completely alone with God. We need to grab a sleeping bag, a tent, or a camper, and take off into the mountains ALONE. Do not take your spouse, your kids, or your best friend. Do not take a flat screen t.v., or a radio, or your favorite video game. Turn off your cell phone. If somebody decides to camp right next to you, pack up your stuff and leave. We need to FAST (drink only water): preparing food, eating food, and cleaning up after eating takes up a lot of valuable time. Bring your body into subjection:
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Spend your ALONE time talking with God and reading your Bible. You will find out that as you read the Word, you will begin receiving revelation from God. It will seem like you could write a book with all the revelation you will receive. Suddenly, you will begin having “eureka” moments. Ask God questions and suddenly answers and ideas will begin popping into your mind.
I have found that after I have fasted, sometimes early in the morning, between sleeping and waking, it seems like there is a lecture going on in my head. Often times it deals with something I have been thinking about. Many times, the articles in this blog are based on these early morning lectures.
Job 33:14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
Job 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
Job 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Job 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
If you are sick and unhealthy, you should probably talk to a doctor before you start a fast. If you are healthy, fasting will probably make you healthier. If you have never fasted, it will seem difficult at first. Most of the time, you will feel hunger pains when it is your usual time to eat. However, these hunger pains will pass after a while. Simply drink a glass of water and read your Bible. It is all part of bringing your body into subjection. Just think about all the things God has been wanting to reveal to you!
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.