Walk in the Spirit and Be Free from the Bondage of the Self-Life

We are born in bondage to sin and death. We naturally consider what tickles our fancy a friend. We live like God is our enemy.

Paul tells us we are wrong. He describes it as a battle between our flesh and the Holy Spirit. The flesh is our tendency to seek pleasure in everything we do. We serve ourselves instead of God. The flesh pollutes what we think, feel, and do.

We view life through “Me” colored glasses. It is as natural as breathing. We do not realize the folly of me-centered mutiny in a God-centered universe.

“The mind governed by the flesh is death” (Romans 8:6 NIV). Living according to the flesh separates people from God. They are spiritually dead. They hate God and others (Galatians 5:20).

The flesh knows God’s will but refuses to do it. Have you ever said, “No one tells me what to do!” Welcome to a not-very-exclusive club! The flesh does not submit to God’s law. It cannot.

An accident changed Brian Sternberg from the world’s best pole vaulter to a paraplegic in an eyeblink. Likewise, the flesh cannot respond positively to God’s law.

Do you know why many professing Christians do not mature in the Christian life? They try to force the flesh to obey God. That is the wretched story of Romans 7.

The self-controlled life cannot please God. It minds its own business. It hates God. It rebels against Him. It cannot obey Him.

It is no wonder that many who try to live the Christian life with their strength and resources are frustrated. Have you experienced it? There is a better way!

There is no condemnation for those who are united with Jesus by faith (Romans 8:1). They are part of “a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27 NIV).

Through Christ’s death, God passed and executed the death sentence on our flesh in His flesh. That purchases our blameless position before God. But there is more.

The Spirit frees us from the bondage of self-life (Romans 8:2). He releases us from a meaningless, aimless, and empty existence to a purposeful life that is overflowing, spiritually fruitful, and fulfilling.

The works of the flesh pulsate with conflict with God and others (Galatians 5:19-21). By contrast, the Holy Spirit leads us to life and peace. He marks us as God’s possession (Romans 8:9).

Here is the bottom line. No compromise is possible between the flesh and the Spirit. Those who are in the Spirit live for God. Those who are in the flesh live for themselves. What is your takeaway?

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God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 6,090 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 15,150 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.   https://www.christiangrowthresources.com/his-power-for-your-weakness

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