Passage of the Day:
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God, Galatians 5:19-21.
Reflection:
Depending upon your cable provider or streaming service, television channels are filled with acts of the flesh. American television producers have gone from following the mantra to sex sells to anything goes. Between dramas, movies and network series, most of the popular shows are built upon one of these fifteen acts of the flesh. The longer running series likely have explicit scenes featuring all of these at some point in an episode to spice things up. Since everyone has at least one guilty pleasure, the time has come to wrestle control back from a sinful flesh.
Prayerful Action:
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry, Colossians 3:5.
Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:
A few of my spiritual mentors over the past 40 years have mentioned a key point in terms of wrestling control back from the flesh. “If you’re addicted to your flesh, you’re not a spiritual threat to the Devil.” This advice given to me years ago is that once you seize control back from the Devil, Ephesians 4:27, there will always be another thorn in your flesh that will pop up to grab your attention. Like the apostle Paul in Romans 8, Christians have to remember their obligation to live according to God and the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. While you may lose several spiritual wrestling matches, God’s grace and mercy is new every day to begin anew, Lamentations 3:21-23.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
The lyrics of Song of the Harlot point to the inner struggle of people who can’t control their bodies. May the words of this song inspire you to wrestle control back from your flesh.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 