For
those who live according to the flesh set
their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds
on the things of the Spirit.
(ESV)
The brain is a piece of meat. It is surrounded by chemicals and
electricity. It sends signals that cause
fingers to twitch and knees to bend, and many things influence how it
acts. How much sugar, how much protein,
how much alcohol, how much marijuana, how much caffeine…all these and countless
more affect the behavior of our flesh.
Living according to the flesh is always to
live by the dictates of our electro-chemical makeup. We do this when we feel angry and lash out at
someone, when we want something and take it with no regard for others. Living by the Spirit is to make choices about
our actions based on God’s will. We do
this when we feel angry and choose not to lash out, when we want something and
choose not to take it. The more this
happens, the more our flesh acts with the Spirit, and we experience less
conflict between the two.
How do your actions weigh in the balance
between flesh and Spirit? Living by the
Holy Spirit is not a matter of muscling up and trying harder. That is still an act of the flesh. Living by the Spirit means surrendering to
His gentle guidance.
Jesus, thank You for sending the Holy
Spirit to live among us and to dwell in my heart. May I never run so hard and fast that I try
to outpace Him. May all I do, say, and
think, bring glory to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, one
God now and forever. Amen.
Copyright © 2014 by Steven R. Perkins
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