MANIFESTING IN THE FLESH: Devotion for Sunday June 12, 2016
Text: Galatians 5:19 – 21 Memory verse: v 19, 20
We
all have evil desires, and we can’t ignore them. Pretences can’t help. In order
for us to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we must deal with them decisively by
crucifying them (5:24). These desires include obvious sins, such as sexual
immorality and demonic activities. They also include less obvious sins, such as
hostility, jealousy, and selfish ambition. Those who ignore such sins or refuse
to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit
that leads to a transformed life. Are you one of the people that ignore these
sins when they manifest in your life?
Our
fallen human nature (called flesh) betrays itself by the works which a man
does. These demonstrate that he is not living under the influence of the Holy
Spirit. Paul enumerated seventeen sins, while he listed only nine fruits of the
Spirit. Neither list is exhaustive, but both are representative. The Galatia Christians had come out of a pagan background where sensual sins were not only
tolerated but encouraged by the pagan priests and rituals. Thus Paul had to
deal with this issue in this way so that they will understand the requirements
of true Christianity. A life in the flesh will betray and disgrace you.
Therefore, beware! Mortify that flesh now.
Food for Thought: Living in the flesh is a way of betraying your Christian
faith.
Prayer: Help me, my Lord and my God, to crucify flesh so that your Spirit will take full control of my life in Jesus name.
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