Action is Needed!
The soul is a “neutral” territory that can either be governed by our own thoughts, emotions, and desires, or else given over to the Lordship of Christ.
“For the one who sows to his own flesh shall form the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8
Sowing to our flesh encompasses a lot of things.
In a nutshell, it is living out from under the control of the Spirit of God.
It wouldn’t matter if that was total rebellion through sin or just not pursuing the things of God.
Many “good” people don’t realize that the depression and discouragement they experience are the harvest of their good but not God-controlled lives.
The Pharisees lived holy lives; but they were sowing to their flesh, and they reaped the corruption that this verse promises. Not all that is “good” is God.
** We must have pure hearts directed by the Spirit of God.
Our ACTIONS are the way we sow seeds. Those of us who ACT in accordance with the Spirit of God (i.e., the Word of God – see Ga 5:16) are sowing to the Spirit.
***Those who conduct their ACTIONS independently of the Spirit of God (i.e., the Word of God) are sowing to the flesh.
As important as our actions are, they are just the result of our thoughts (Pr 23:7).
*Actions are conceived in our thoughts (Jas 1:14-15), so if we want to control our actions, we must first control our thoughts (Ro 8:6).
A “new heart” is now the true core of our being. With God’s Life already in us, we just need to learn how to “let it out”.
“…let not your adornment be merely external…but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”1 Peter 3:3-4
The enemy mobilizes its forces, escalating the attack, and begins to plan direct violence.
When you begin to move with God to change things in your life for the better, you will find that you are met first with derision, and if you keep persisting, someone is going to get very upset with you and attack you in a vicious, perhaps physical, way.
Read Nehemiah 4:7-23
But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat (Nehemiah 4:9).
See how Nehemiah reacts, He still relies on prayer (Nehemiah 4:9). But he does more than pray. He posts a guard as well.
Prayer and preparedness! This blending of the resources of the spiritual life with those of the material world is a marvelous picture of how believers ought to face threats, recognizing that we need Action on both levels.
Still the enemy persists, and he launches a propaganda campaign.
The enemy immediately takes advantage of that weakness and discouragement (Nehemiah 4:11).
Nehemiah’s response is very deliberate. First, he carefully looks over the situation and evaluates what is needed. *This approach is necessary if we are going to improve our own lives.
*We must observe exactly where we are under attack.
* What are we addicted to?
A wrong habit, a drug, an attitude of mind? Bitterness of spirit?
*When we have identified the source of attack, WE MUST post a guard at that point.
Then, second, Nehemiah reviews the spiritual resources available to them. *They had a Power at work in their lives that their enemies knew nothing about. ****The great and Awesome God who was with them would stand with them in their peril.
*When they remembered this, they became reassured and renewed in courage.
**The enemy saw that they could achieve nothing with their attacks.
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead” (2 Timothy 2:8). Timothy was not alone. God was with him. Jesus is risen! He is awesome. He is strong. He is powerful. Reckon upon Him, and you will be able to stand against the most subtle temptation and the most dangerous threats that come against you.
“…Blessed is the man who trusts in You” (Psalm 84:12).
God has a specific plan for the people who fully trust in Him.
* He promises to be their shield, to bestow honor on them.
* He will not withhold any good thing from them.
What a promise! What motivation to be all that we can be in God.
Imagine living a life that God views as blameless, which allows Him to withhold no good thing.
Pray that God would make you and me that kind of person.
I speak to those who still have unfulfilled desires, and I tell you that as long as fantasy, lust and seduction are the operative forces in your life, you will be led by your own flesh rather than by the Lord.
Begin again by the cleansing of the foundation of your desires. Change your mind, and make the Lord your entire desire and your single focus. Then, the Lord will be able to lead you to a higher spiritual place.
Psalms 61:2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).
I don’t think you will ever be comforted until you learn to mourn.
When you see the hurt, pain, and despair that sin can produce and you grieve over it, then you are ready for the comfort of forgiveness.
What does “the joy of the LORD” mean? *It is the fact that God has found a solution to these problems of sin.
* He has provided a way back to sensible, sober, wise, helpful, wholesome living.
How?
*By learning to think like He thinks.
*Begin to see the world from His point of view.
* Listen no longer to the clamoring voices of the media.
* Do not take your philosophy of life from what people are saying or the advice others are giving.
* Listen to the Holy Spirit inspired Word of God.
Thank You, Father, for how practical and helpful the Scriptures are. Teach me to rely on Your Spirit and Word in Prayer and preparedness. Thank You, Lord, for the joy of forgiveness and restoration. Thank You for paying for that gift with the precious blood of Your Son.
In Jesus Name, Amen.