“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh,” Galatians 5:16.
The desires of the flesh are the expressions of the ‘old man,’ and the ‘old nature.’ This is why Paul teaches the church at Galatia to walk by the Spirit and you will not desire the lust of the flesh. In the spirit, we live in holiness unto God and we move away from the desires of the flesh that will cost us eternal life. Paul defines the lust of the flesh, or the desires of the flesh as sexual immortality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, envy, and drunkenness. These impurities cause divisions among people, resulting in wild and wasteful parties and other immoral acts. This is why we must perfect holiness with the fear of God producing the fruit of the spirit with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have ‘crucified’ their own sinful selves. We are not only to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, but also to ‘crucify’ our sinful selves completely and live the new life by sanctifying our bodies in the fear of God. This does not mean to be afraid of God, but to revere Him with respect, love, and devotion. The Greek word ‘epiteleo’ means to complete yourself in God in true holiness by cleaning up not just the outside of your life but to also clean the inside by allowing God’s implanted word to remove filthiness from within us. The word of God has cleansing power to wash us and to clean us.
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life,” John 6:63.
The natural man cannot comprehend divine truth. The natural man is bound by human viewpoints. He needs the Holy Spirit to enable Him to understand divine truth and guidance. It is the spirit that gives him life. We need this quickening spirit of God, because God has made this provision for the soul of mankind to be saved. The flesh profits nothing; the human nature of man profits nothing. The profit is in union with the Son of God unto divine nature with righteousness and obedience. We must make this change to live a complete life, not just a better life. We are the sons and daughters of God and should live this life before Him. The word of truth helps us live this Christian life. God says that His spirit is dwelling in you to give us a fitting life, a connected life, a life surrendering to God—to show forth God’s essence. Just remember that you are the church of God, the saints of God.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh and it’s desires. If we live by the spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit as the church,” Galatians 5:24-25.
Receive the Holy Spirit and live a new life that is springing forth within your life to create a new you. Get the anointment of God that is for you in the Holy Spirit and live.
