"For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and
the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so
that you may not do the things that you please." (Galatians 5:17 NASB)
We usually equate sowing to our flesh with merely sinful deeds, yet it says, "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another". (Galatians 5:13 NASB)
Most of us would not consider that freedom as freedom to sin, but freedom from the law or "religiosity" and so then act and practice our religion however we see fit. Yet Paul warns us NOT to use that freedom in such a way that it causes others to stumble.
Something that I've seen (& experienced) is that because we ARE flesh, we do still enjoy within our flesh, the things of the spirit and so we get caught up-even entangled-in fulfilling that desire of our flesh even while pursuing the things of the Spirit.
We seek the effect of the power of His presence still more than He Himself.
Does He condemn us for this? No, in fact He rather we seek the effect of His spirit than that of our own flesh, but it still many times is merely feeding our flesh and not our spirit.
So how do we gauge whether we're seeking experience rather than the true effect of seeking Him?
1. Does your flesh, while seeking spiritual things, cause others to stumble?
2. When the effect isn't there, are you concerned that something is wrong or that you've missed God?
3. If others aren't effected the way you are, do you feel as if they're missing God?
4. If or when confronted about the response of your flesh, are you offended?
There are many ways God touches us that in fact causes a response in the flesh. (How could it not?) But there are also ways that when we feel the effects of His presence, there's an ability to control ourselves, yet still allow its effect to continue. Those times would most likely be the times when we should. (control ourselves)
In my experience, the only time God likes to make a spectacle out of us is to...
1. Thrust us out of complacency or fear or
2. Prove to others the power of His presence (usually with those not given to respond in the flesh)
But rarely is it to offend. (those rare occasions would still be coupled with #1 or #2 and/or be used to "confound the wise" in a large gathering, etc)
But the warning is this:
If we're seeking Christ, His effects are great & He will distribute to us to whatever measure He desires for us to have in order to accomplish HIS purposes.
If at any point His effects become our agenda... Or if OUR agenda becomes the agenda, we risk missing God all together.
"For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
(Galatians 6:8 NASB)
"But I say walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16 NASB)
Let's keep this thing moving, but let's stay in the will of God.
"...always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; (1 Thessalonians 5:15-21 NASB)
We usually equate sowing to our flesh with merely sinful deeds, yet it says, "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another". (Galatians 5:13 NASB)
Most of us would not consider that freedom as freedom to sin, but freedom from the law or "religiosity" and so then act and practice our religion however we see fit. Yet Paul warns us NOT to use that freedom in such a way that it causes others to stumble.
Something that I've seen (& experienced) is that because we ARE flesh, we do still enjoy within our flesh, the things of the spirit and so we get caught up-even entangled-in fulfilling that desire of our flesh even while pursuing the things of the Spirit.
We seek the effect of the power of His presence still more than He Himself.
Does He condemn us for this? No, in fact He rather we seek the effect of His spirit than that of our own flesh, but it still many times is merely feeding our flesh and not our spirit.
So how do we gauge whether we're seeking experience rather than the true effect of seeking Him?
1. Does your flesh, while seeking spiritual things, cause others to stumble?
2. When the effect isn't there, are you concerned that something is wrong or that you've missed God?
3. If others aren't effected the way you are, do you feel as if they're missing God?
4. If or when confronted about the response of your flesh, are you offended?
There are many ways God touches us that in fact causes a response in the flesh. (How could it not?) But there are also ways that when we feel the effects of His presence, there's an ability to control ourselves, yet still allow its effect to continue. Those times would most likely be the times when we should. (control ourselves)
In my experience, the only time God likes to make a spectacle out of us is to...
1. Thrust us out of complacency or fear or
2. Prove to others the power of His presence (usually with those not given to respond in the flesh)
But rarely is it to offend. (those rare occasions would still be coupled with #1 or #2 and/or be used to "confound the wise" in a large gathering, etc)
But the warning is this:
If we're seeking Christ, His effects are great & He will distribute to us to whatever measure He desires for us to have in order to accomplish HIS purposes.
If at any point His effects become our agenda... Or if OUR agenda becomes the agenda, we risk missing God all together.
"For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
(Galatians 6:8 NASB)
"But I say walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16 NASB)
Let's keep this thing moving, but let's stay in the will of God.
"...always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; (1 Thessalonians 5:15-21 NASB)
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