July 31, 2022
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.” Philippians 3:3 (RSV)
Friday of this past week, our prayer group was led by Karen Cheathem. Our Scripture was from the third chapter of Philippians, and we were admonished to put no confidence in the flesh also referred to as the “the old nature.”
As Believers in Christ, we have a new nature, however, we are very familiar with the war between the old nature (the flesh) and the new nature (the spirit). When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and make Him Lord of our lives, we are given a new nature and we have the spirit of Christ. The Apostle Paul, the writer of Philippians reminds us as Believers to worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, putting no confidence in the flesh. Our faith and confidence must be in Christ alone. We do not look to ourselves for salvation, nor can we live the Christian life in our old nature. It must be the Christ in us.
So, why is it difficult to live for God and experience the abundant life in Christ? Paul
gives a clear explanation in Romans chapter 7 about living for God. In essence, Paul shows that living for God is difficult for all of us. After he became a Believer, he wrote of his own struggle in living for Christ in Romans 7:14-25. He says “For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand, I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” (NASB)
Living for God may be difficult, but it is a joyless experience. Paul wrote his most joyful letter to the church at Philippi while suffering persecution in Rome. What does it mean to live for God? Living for God means we make a final decision about who is in charge. When your flesh begins to reassert its rights, you must take it back to the cross and allow it to die. When sin tempts you, the decision has already been made, you seek God’s will over your own. You cannot serve both God and ourselves. Luke 16:13 reminds us “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” AGAIN, When our flesh begins to rise up and reassert its rights, we take it back to the cross and allow it to die.
In your spiritual struggle or warfare with sin, we are not to make the mistake of blaming every sin, every struggle, and every difficulty on the Devil. NO, demons may not need to be cast out. There is a spiritual realm, and the Word of God tells us our battle is against spiritual powers. We are to rage war against sin in ourselves and oppose the schemes of the devil. Ephesians chapter 6 reminds us to, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
How do I Live My Life For God?
Again, we cannot serve both God and ourselves. Living for Christ means we must make a final decision about who is in charge. When our flesh begins to reassert its rights, we take it back to the cross and allow it to die. When we are tempted by sin, the decision has already been made, we seek God’s will over our own. We will still face temptation and hardship, but when the glory of God is our focus, living for Him becomes the source of our joy rather than hard work. I agree with the Apostle Paul who said in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 that he was determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
God’s Instructions for Living for HIM!
♥ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” – Mark 12:29-31.
♥ Obey the commandment to love one another – John 13:34-35.
♥ You are called to follow Him at the cost of denying your own desires – Matthew 16:24.
♥ Do not fall into sinful behaviors like those who don’t know God – 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8.
♥ You are exhorted to care for the poor and needy – James 1:27.
Rx “A NEW 
HEART”: You are now equipped to rely on the power of God and not our own. Put on the whole armor of God and draw on the power of Scripture, the Word of God which is the sword of the Spirit. Pray making your appeal to God. Stand firm in the armor of God submitting to HIM, resisting the work of the Devil knowing that the Lord of hosts is your protector. God is the rock of your salvation, He is your fortress, and you will never be shaken.
FATHER GOD Thank You for being our ultimate example of resisting temptation in spiritual warfare. Thank you, Father, for demonstrating how You handled the direct attacks from Satan when You were tempted in the wilderness. Thank You for Your Word which is a living and powerful weapon against the temptations of the devil. Thank You, Father, that we can hide Your Word in our hearts so that we might not sin against You, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ! Amen.