A lifestyle of victory doesn't mean that you won't have problems, but rather that you will overcome them all!David faced the lion, then the bear, then the giant. Don't put a limit on how many times you will be willing to have victory over things.
If you draw a line in the sand with God, He will cross it just to test your flesh.
Joseph spent a long time in the prison. Not because his faith was lacking, but rather because he was being formed by God and that was to accomplish God's purposes.
Paul was thrown into prison multiple times and beaten multiple times, he was shipwrecked... for being a man of faith and loving God. Yet he wrote most of the new testament.
Galations 5:24
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires."
The proof of being a believer is that we crucify the flesh.
'When we overcome our flesh, we get God's best.'
Our flesh is fighting the Spirit and the Spirit is fighting our flesh. Don't let filters of the flesh block what the Spirit of God is saying to your spirit.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
The Spirit needs to oversee the soul, not the other way around.
2 Keys to Overcome the Flesh:
- Live by the Spirit
Don't do things that are contrary to the spirit. It is like working out and eating junk food.
Exercise is what our body needs, junk food is what our body craves.
Feed the spirit, starve the flesh
Practical ways to live in the spirit:
* Spend time in prayer
* Take time to worship
* Build Godly relationships - Get into the Word
The Word directs our actions
The Word develops our thoughts
Walk - 'to conducts one's life, a way of living'
- Read the word
- Get to church to hear the Word
- Practice the Word
It isn't easy to control the flesh. We have to make a decision to walk in the spirit! Add your comments below for what God is doing in your life during this amazing series on Thankfulness!
Posts
great word feed the spirit to overcome the flesh, whichever you feed the most will become the strongest.
ReplyDeleteRG
Man the Word is so important in our lives! It is the filter that keeps our flesh from ruling us and causing things to move in that don't have ANY right in our lives! Pastor thanks for your deep passion for the Word and Love enough to tell it like it is! That was definitely steak today!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how Pastor can effectively illustrate the word of God and help us to apply the word to our daily lives. This is a very practical series the world needs to hear. I am so blessed by the impartion received at HWC. KD
ReplyDeleteWow!!!I loved every part of the message, especially the illustration of the word of God being a filter. How so true! No wonder the Bible encourages us to renew our minds with the washing of the word. Thanks Pastor Kev for showing us how to practically walk in the Spirit...I'm now more eager to feed my spirit and starve the flesh, with the Word helping me all along!
ReplyDeleteChisomo
Awesome message!!!
ReplyDelete"O wretched man that I am, who will save me from this body of death? There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!"
As the Word confirms, sometimes what you want to do, you don't do and what you don't want to do, you end up doing. The Spirit is against the flesh and the flesh against the spirit. Who will win? We have to determine who will win. Pastor reminded us that we can become our greatest enemy. If we tolerate a little flesh, eventually more flesh will invite themselves to the party! It's a quality decision that has to be made by all. It may start off as a minute by minute or hour by hour decision to put the flesh under, but God is faithful and He is our help. He's given us His Word so we can be built up and strengthened. Thank you Lord for your Word and the man of God you've given us to remind us of your Word. Thank you for the victory!
ReplyDeletePowerful message yesterday!!! The reminder that we are to crucify our flesh daily was great as well as spending greater time in the word for our will to be that to fulfill the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. God has given us authority over all things and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means harm us. Bless God!
ReplyDeleteTHE MESSAGE WAS VERY HELPFUL. AMAZING HOW GOD'S WORD GET MORE POWERFUL EVERYTIME. GOD GIVES YOU STRENGTH WISDOM . SO WE ALL SHOULD CRUCIFY THE FLESH AND FILL OUR SPIRIT EVERYDAY. AMAZING GOD!!!
ReplyDeletePastor's message was very practical and relevant to our lives. The statement "the proof of being a believer is that we crucify the flesh" really challenged me. It is great that both living in the Spirit and meditating on the Word empowers us to crucify the desires of the flesh.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great word. God is always training u to get to the next level. Fight the flesh, don't give up, get ready for promotion.
ReplyDeleteDJ