Separated from the Flesh
Scripture Reading - Galatians 5:16 KJV
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Previously we discussed being “separated” in general to make the point that when someone is born-again God “separated” them from the Kingdom of Darkness into His Kingdom of Light. That general “separation” should affect anything we do, say and think. Also we looked at being “separated spiritually” to remind all Christians that they have a different heart, in fact a new heart. This “separation” is not just a concept or deep belief, it is rather a new heart of God and a living heart for God. Today we will look even closer to the spiritual aspects of being “separated from the Flesh”. The nature of man is twofold it is prone to selfishness and inwardly desires to fight against God. Yes, it is bad enough to be selfish but it is even worst to secretly rebel against God. If you notice that even little children will gravitate toward their own desires over the instructions of their parent or guardian. Yes, sometimes little children don’t want to go to bed even when they are sleepy. Have you ever noticed a child not wanting to eat something that is good for them like healthy food? Why, is that little one so resistant to their parent or guardian? Is it because they hate them? No. Is it because they know better? No. It is simply because every little child has a will and their will is strongly influenced by their human nature or we could say, their flesh. Before we were born-again our human nature was also against God. This is why the Lord tells us in Isaiah 64:6 KJV that, “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags;” When mankind fell in the garden of Eden our flesh became cutoff from God. Yes, we lost the holy spirit of light in God’s likeness and became children of death (darkness). Thus, evil permeated the atmosphere and entered into our heart. Since the Lord God couldn’t communicate with us inwardly He was subject to having to deal with us outwardly using circumstances, audible voices, angels, other holy men, etc… this was not God’s best but it is the mercy of God that uses whatever He can to communicate with His creation. Praise God for Jesus because the Good and Gracious Lord Jesus took upon Himself the very nature of our old evil self and exchanged it with a brand new heart for God. Now, we still have the nature of sin in our flesh but the heart of every born-again believer is open for God because their new spirit was created by God. Galatians 5:19-21 Easy-To-Read Version tells us, “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Pretty much all bad thoughts, words and actions function through the works of the flesh and that is because the nature of the flesh is derived from the nature of the devil. Oh, we (ihlcc) do know that no one likes to think of themselves as child of devil because that is what the scripture calls all those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord.-Refer to Ephesians 2:2,3. Yes even religious leaders outside of Christ were categorized as children of devil in John 8:44 KJV. However, in the midst of our perilous state God gave us Jesus and His very own Holy Spirit to abide within us forever. Now, we have the spirit of God inside of us resisting the dictates of the flesh. Galatians 5:17 Easy-To- Read Version reads, “The sinful self wants what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against the sinful self. They are always fighting against each other, so that you don't do what you really want to do.” Again the Good News Bible of Galatians 5:17 also reads, “For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do.” Yes, in essence you now have the power to overcome all evil. You might ask how shall we overcome the works (deeds) of flesh? That is an excellent question, we are so glad you asked. The only correct answer is found in Galatians 5:16 KJV which states, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Very clear and very true. The born-again believer must decide to walk (live in, abide in) the Spirit. This walking in the spirit includes showing the fruit of spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-24 KJV, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Yes, this knowledge comes from reading your Holy Bible but reading alone is not enough, the Believer must then practice the fruit of the spirit on a daily basis by walking in love, joy and peace with the other six fruit. This and this alone is how we walk in complete victory upon this earth by staying in close fellowship with God. It is the exact reason why we are “separated from the flesh” in thought, word and deed to be closer to God (to be as God). Yes, we don’t have to wait until we get to Heaven to act right like God because walking in holiness and righteousness is for every child of God today while we are on this earth. Surely, we are “separated from the evilness of the flesh” through the Blood of Christ. Therefore we purpose right now to let our light shine bright over the flesh as dear Children of Light (Love) in the Name of Jesus. For indeed we are not what people see with their physical eyes but rather we are godly spiritual beings that people feel (discern, relate to) with their heart. Amen!