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The Spirit and the flesh are in constant conflict.
He wanted to keep us continually mindful of our own sinfulness and weakness… He wanted to keep us continually dependent on Christ as our High Priest and Advocate… and He wanted us to continually praise the One who saved such undeserving ones. Instead of removing the old nature, God gave us His own Holy Spirit to dwell in us.
Paul teaches us that the Holy Spirit lives within every born-again believer, but not every believer lives in submission to the Spirit; possessing the Holy Spirit is not sufficient — believers must allow the Spirit to possess them Cf. To walk in the Spirit means to live in complete submission to the control of the indwelling Spirit of God Rom 6: Walking in the Spirit accomplishes the following: It preserves the grace principle , which we forfeit if we default to the flesh Gal 5: It prevents death , the natural result of anything accomplished in the flesh Rom 6: Step by step the Spirit moves him from where he is toward where God wants him to be.
Though the Spirit is the source of all holy living, it is the believer who is commanded to walk Gal 5: This apparent paradox of the divine and the human is seen throughout all aspects of salvation Jn 6: The Christian is not to sit on the sidelines, as it were, and simply watch the Holy Spirit do battle for him Rom 6: The believer who is led by the Holy Spirit must be willing to go where the Spirit guides him and do what the Spirit leads him to do. Though this mystery consists of a paradoxical balance that cannot be fully understood or explained, it can be fully experienced.
Walking in the Spirit is both simple and profound.
Being born again is so simple a child can experience it; yet it is so profound theologians cannot plumb its depths. Bill Bright , the late founder of Campus Crusade for Christ , pointed out that there are three things necessary for walking in the Spirit — Desire, Confession, and Yielding. Although He was speaking about a different type of filling, the principle is the same.
If we have regard for iniquity in our hearts i. When the Spirit takes control, He directs what we do and what we experience… He teaches us what is needed for life… He provides experiences He wants us to have… and He leads us down the road to maturity. This control remains until believers re-exercise their own control and live according to their own desires, thereby rescinding the authority delegated to the Spirit.
Once a driver activates it, he removes his foot his will from the gas pedal. Living according to the flesh carnality results in spiritual immaturity 1 Cor 3: Similarly, spiritual life requires us to confess exhale that which produces death, and yield to the Spirit inhale who produces life. Therefore, in every area of stewardship, it is imperative to acknowledge that it is the Holy Spirit who makes the effort efficacious. Though we are told to diligently study the Word — should we interpret it correctly, it is because of the teaching or illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The suggestion that God Himself demanded it seemed troublesome to him. He noted how much we despise the crowds around the filthy rich and the celebrity, who gratify that demand. It was extremely distressing. It made me think what I least wanted to think The incomplete lives of those who are tone deaf, those who have never been in love, never known true friendship, never cared for a good book, never enjoyed the feel of the morning air on their cheeks, are faint images of it. Of such an absurd Deity one cannot even conceive. I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise.
I had not noticed how the humblest minds praised most, while the malcontents praised least.
The good critics found something to praise in many imperfect works. The healthy could praise a very modest meal. Praise almost seems to be inner health made audible. Notice, you are not just silently walking beside this person with very little communication taking place This is the essence of walking with God I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment — it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are — the delight is incomplete until it is expressed.
It is frustrating to have discovered some mountain valley of unexpected grandeur and then to have to keep silent because the people with you care for it no more than for a tin can in the ditch The worthier the object, the more intense this delight would be. To see what the doctrine really means, we must suppose ourselves to be in perfect love with God — so drunk with love that bliss flows out from us incessantly again in effortless and perfect expression.
Remember, the flame does not ascend from the altar pure. Furthermore, you and I are not in a position to criticize even the crudest psalmists on this score.
Second, their prayers were not to consist of vain repetitions Mt 6: Hence prayer is essentially the basis of communicating what is in our heart to God. It should also be noted that God does things in answer to prayer that He would not otherwise do — writes James: By acknowledging His preeminence, we are reminding ourselves just who it is we are praying to — the Creator of all things Reflect upon that when you are inclined to think God simply exists to serve you — how diabolical can the mind of man be to actually think that that might be the case?
Perhaps that is the reason so many Christians are disappointed in their prayer life — they never seem to get what they want from God no matter how much they beg Him. It is to rebel against the world system of ungodliness, the dishonoring and rejecting of Christ, and the disobedience of believers. The request for daily sustenance v.
Obviously, God is concerned about our needs and knows them even before we mention them Mt 6: This petition acknowledges our absolute dependence on God for daily needs — both spiritual and physical. The request for forgiveness and our forgiveness of others v. If we as believers are not willing to forgive those who wrong us, how can we expect to enjoy the sweet fellowship and forgiveness of the Father?
Why should God forgive us if we are unwilling to forgive others? How can we even ask for mercy if we are not willing to be merciful? How can we express hate and expect to receive love? Scripture is very clear on this: The request for protection from temptation and evil v.
However, God does allow His people to be tested and tried and tempted by Satan. Western Christianity has developed a theology of life that essentially is self-centered — not God-centered. What a great God! The benevolent lover of our souls! That is the God of our desires … not the God of the Bible!!! That injunction identifies the solution — instead of focusing on ourselves, we are to focus on Christ. That is not the solution!!!
That is the problem!!! This injunction has disturbed many Christians down through the ages, and caused them to wonder what Jesus really meant by these words? The word not only implies violent assaults from Satan, but also sorely afflictive circumstances, none of which we have, as yet, the grace or fortitude to sufficiently endure.
Since God obviously does not tempt man to do evil Jam 1: In addition to the temptations of God, there are also three other sources of temptation: Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps the best summary of spiritual growth is becoming more like Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians Spiritual Growth - How is it done? In order for spiritual growth to occur, you first need to make sure you possess a true spiritual life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" 1 John 5: Spiritual growth can only occur in a person who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her Savior. Learning how to grow spiritually is a life-long journey which occurs as you read and apply God's Word to your life. Then we will be thoroughly equipped for every good work. This is the essence of spiritual growth. Another key to Christian growth is walking in the Spirit. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law…Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. This is brought about by consciously choosing by faith to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you in thought, word, and deed Romans 6: