Since the beginning of mankind, when life was at its best, Almighty God was present in His full glory to rule His creation with commandments He expected them to obey. Life was simple and it was easy. God provided everything that man would ever need. He would never run out of resources because He is the source. Obeying is not hard until you have other influences to entice you as the Devil did to Adam and Eve. They let their flesh listen to what the Devil had to offer, which in turn cost them, and us, everything God had planned for us. “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of Him that calleth you.” (Galatians 5: 7-8)
We must learn to live in the spiritual state that the Lord has called and created us to live in from the beginning because God is a Spirit and “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5: 22-23) It is the perfect weapon to decapitate the flesh and strip it of its influences over us. “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5: 24-26)
The beginning for me started in The Church of God in Jesus Christ over 40 years ago. The Saints of God taught straight from the King James Version Bible. They lived the life that they taught and it was quite evident that they believed what was preached. I tried it and everything was good. The one thing I didn’t understand is when they talked about being in the flesh. I started to see what they were talking about to some extent but I found out later that it was much more than I thought. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 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. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (lust), Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (dissention or discord), emulations (jealousy), wrath, strife, seditions (divisions), heresies (false teachings), Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings (lustful indulgence), and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5: 16-21) The works of the flesh encompasses so much more than what is mentioned in the Bible. It is the “such like” things mentioned above that we will explore.
The flesh is of the Devil. The flesh is always at war with God. It is a continuous, evil battle that we have to fight every day. If we pay strict attention we will see just how much we walk in the flesh every day. However, as previously mentioned, there is a remedy for this deadly disease. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8: 1-10)
The flesh is you, your being, what you like to do, how you act and think. It loves to be involved with things that go against the will of God. It seeks out things to fulfill certain desires. It loves to be pleased and pacified. It loves to fantasize and to fornicate. The flesh wants to lead, to be above everyone and it loves to be the center of attention. It loves to compete, brag, to put people down, have attitudes, thinks that it is better than everyone else and it loves to have the last word. It is rude, arrogant, prideful, jealous, and domineering. It complains about everything and everyone. The flesh is combative, stubborn, rebellious, hateful, lazy, wicked and it is manipulative. It loves to find faults in others. It doesn’t want to listen but loves to tell someone off and it loves to be out of control. It is never wrong and hard to convince. It loves to cheat, steal, cuss, gossip, fight, shop, drink and overeat. “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (overeating), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21: 34-36)
We spend too much time pleasing the flesh and trying to be like the world. We give too much attention to the flesh by trying to be cute and bringing attention to ourselves for all the wrong reasons. It wants to be noticed and to show off. It loves to idolize someone or something, being deeply entrenched in partiality and respect of persons. The flesh loves secular entertainment such as gaming, partying, cutting up and going wild at concerts and sporting events, watching inappropriate things on TV and at the movies that the Spirit doesn’t allow us to partake in. What we view as petty is serious business with God. “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than He? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (1 Corinthians 10: 20-23)
One day while watching television I saw a famous rapper from the 80’s who was suddenly professing to be a Pastor but he was still doing all of his famous dance moves. I was shocked. I heard the Lord say to me, “Represent Me well.” Another time while watching a salute to a famous singer who had dancers and singers on stage doing what they do. As I watched this one young man dance I heard the Lord say to me, “Junk in, junk out.” Another time while watching TV I saw a commercial for the movie “Training Day” and I said out loud that I wanted to go see that movie. I heard the Lord say to me, “No you don’t.” There are things that we shouldn’t be a part of PERIOD. The flesh wants to be a part of sin all the time but God is holy. He wants us to be like Him. When God Himself has to speak to us in chastisement, then we are in trouble. “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9: 62)
Saints are people of integrity who adorn and love the doctrine (teachings) of Christ in all things. We sanctify ourselves by stripping off all fleshly desires. Our traits and characteristics should be that of holiness. We choose the Spiritual over the carnal. We control our Spirit when tempted to do and say things inappropriately. It is not always easy, especially when we are mad. We have to be taught holiness and what is pleasing to God. We can easily get caught up in things that are fleshly when we are distracted by other things. “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; 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….. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4: 1-2 & 7-8)
Depression, discouragement, disobedience, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, fear, worrying, being a busybody and gambling are not of God. Some folks call their winnings a blessing from God. Do we overspend on ourselves and under give to God? “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Timothy 6: 10-12) “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3: 8)
Do we have emotional affairs with someone or something? Is our dependency on someone to fulfill our emotional desires instead of depending on God to supply everything we need? Is our marriage thriving, blooming and growing or is it a battlefield? Are we like 2 ships passing each other in opposite directions? Do we even like each other or do we tolerate each other? Is there disrespect to each other in some form or fashion? Do we get mad and angry at every little thing? Do we shout and cuss at our spouse and make them feel inferior and unimportant? Have we forgiven him or her for whatever transgressions that they have done? Do we withhold things or keep secrets from each other? Are we pleasing our spouse in all areas? Are there divisions/separations in the household? Does one spouse feel cheated or slighted? Do you or your spouse feel unloved or unwanted? Is God pleased with me and how I treat my spouse? These questions and more are what we need to ask ourselves.
Marriage was instituted by God therefore it must be conducted on biblical principles in order for it to work the way it was purposed by God. The Bible is the “Marriage Manual.” It is to be obeyed just like we obey it in all other areas. “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” (Deuteronomy 28: 1-2)
One area we tend to avoid talking about is sex, but God knows just how to put our flesh in check. Sex was created for world population and for intimacy between a husband and a wife. But somewhere down the line it was changed for fleshly lust and desires that God was not at all pleased with. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because, among other things, their sin went against the order of nature that God had established. “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” (Genesis 13: 13 “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven…” (Genesis 19: 24 “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly…” (2 Peter 2: 4-6)
I was asked a question about sex from a married woman some 20 years ago. I responded by saying, "Make sure God is pleased at what you’re doing behind closed doors." God has made things plain and simple. He said to me that He made the body for certain functions. The eyes to see, the ears to hear, the mouth to eat, breathe and to speak. But man went a step farther to change things to fulfill the lust of the flesh. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness ….. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient…” (Romans 1: 18 & 24-28)
We even have to evaluate other areas in our life such as how do we treat our brethren, our children and others. Anything done out of anger, greed, malice, hatred, revenge, strife, deceit or covetousness is not of God. Another thing we need to evaluate is how we run our household. Do we knowingly, willfully let our children and others do anything that is not conducive to a godly household? Do we let them bring in accursed things?
We must count up the cost if we are Kingdom People. Our way of doing things other than God’s way is our own false doctrine. “There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” (Proverbs 30: 12) It is fleshly and it is deadly. It is a one-way ticket to destruction. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 16: 25) We should hate sin, fight against it, resent the burden of its presence, mourn sincerely when we fall under its influences and long to be completely delivered from it. Unfortunately, there will be some who will fall away. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame….. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6: 4-6 & 12)
The main questions to ask ourselves are: Do I truly love God? Am I willing to give up everything to follow Him? Do I love worldly things more than I love God? Do I put Him first before anything else? Is my focus solely on God? Do I truly prioritize my service to the Lord placing Him at the top of the list or are worldly, fleshy things more important? Am I so busy that God gets the leftovers of everything I have to offer? Are my cares and concerns more about pleasing God? When given the opportunity is God my first choice or do I squeeze Him in somewhere down the line? Is my heart happy at the mention of His Name? Do I get excited about being in the presence of a holy God? Am I glad about the chance that I get every day to seek Him? Am I grateful for all of the wonderful things that He’s done for me? And am I thankful that God has chosen me to be a part of His divine, heavenly Kingdom forever and throughout eternity?
God wants to be our everything. He wants our full attention and our desires to be on and for Him. He wants us to spend time with Him but He won’t force it. It has to be our desire to want Him. He should never be in a battle with Satan for our attention. He should always be the object of our affection.
God has been ever so merciful and longsuffering with us. But we must not forget that there are consequences to sin and disobedience. “If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto My name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.” (Malachi 2: 2) “Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded thee: And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever. Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things…” (Deuteronomy 28: 45-47)
We’ve only touched on a few things pertaining to the works of the flesh. It goes wider and deeper than all that has been previously mentioned in this message. God is showing us our faults and our sins. Chastisement is good and it is necessary, therefore we receive His godly instructions joyfully. Be zealous and go after the heart of God and be blessed. Place everything in His hands, be still and trust His plan.
His love is infinite, His power is matchless, His wisdom unsearchable and His goodness is beyond compare. Therefore, I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep Thy precepts diligently….. With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments….. I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways. I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy Word.” (Psalm 119 1-4, 10 & 15-16)
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