As I continue to sit before the Lord, the title of this post is what keeps coming to my mind and heart. It is important to understand what this really means. While the heart can sincerely be driven to seek the Lord, the flesh is always there to distract, get in the way, make seeking the Lord challenging.
Power over the flesh is definitely possible because all things are possible to him who believes. This does not mean that it is easy. Even Paul was aware of how difficult this could be. The things he hated, he did and the things he wanted to do, he didn’t practice. (Romans 7:15). Knowledge of Paul’s dedication and commitment to the Lord is well known. Even he struggled with the challenge in his position. What is the point, you ask?
Romans 7:15 – “For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].” (Amplified Bible)
The point is that Jesus died on the Cross specifically for this reason. Nothing can be done in human strength. The power of the Holy Spirit is necessary to accomplish the feat of overcoming the flesh. “Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” The resurrection of Jesus is what is needed. The Scripture says that if the devil had known what was really going on, he would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.
Galatians 5:16 – “But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the [a]sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. (Amplified Bible)
Easter is coming up on us quickly. I can’t even believe it is March already. Time is moving fast and it seems that the older I get, the more quickly time speeds by. With all that is going on in the world today, particularly in the U.S., the focus needs to be on prayer, in the power of the Holy Spirit with the presence of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Moving beyond the flesh is not just possible, it is imperative. Jesus came, rose and died again to complete the big picture and that is what makes it possible. His birth, suffering, death and resurrection was planned, prophesied and predicted.
Just grasping the concept of that is amazing. God loves us with an everlasting love and gave His Son so that we would have the opportunity to reconnect with Him, our Creator. In the beginning, God was already planning to give us what is required to overcome the flesh. Between the chaotic political arena, daily living and other major life events, it is so important to remember that this place is temporary. The emphasis here is on the eternal, eternity with our Lord. The relationship with our Creator cannot be an afterthought. It must be the priority.
This 2017 period of Lent is a great time to renew that relationship. Not just for you and your family, but for the world. There are many hurting and suffering people out there. Prayer is not only necessary for them but also for the saints who are being obedient to the call of the Spirit to be in prayer. Salvation and deliverance are needed. The next generation needs to know that prayer works and we must teach them that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Leave a Reply