This I Say

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Not fulfilling the “lust of the flesh” is the hardest when you feel you have been wronged by a friend or loved one. Our natural instinct is to defend and retaliate. Our anger rises and we lash out with little regard of consequences. Killing that defense mechanism is difficult but necessary for a successful Christian walk. Jesus didn’t and we must not either. (See Romans 8)

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:19-21‬ ‭KJV

When we read the above verse we have a tendancy to focus on the “ones” we DON’T do! Not the ones we do do; which is why they are there! Correction is hard; justification easy! Upon examination of definitions, we find we are all guilty, or have been at one time, of the above failings! We have all been adulterous against God, loving the world more than Him. We have all been into witchcraft, as we all have been rebellious to Him; living in disobedience to His Word. We may not murder anyone but willingly assassinate another’s character. Spirits of hatred, wrath, and strife are standing there ready to defend a supposed or actual wrong, to cause a believer to sin!

Which is why Paul, led by The Holy Spirit wrote the following verses:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Longsuffering is an attribute of God and one we must acquire! We are thankful that He is “slow to anger”. We have no choice but to learn 

self-restraint when we are stirred to anger, if we are to follow Jesus! We are not allowed to respond like the world! Jesus did not retaliate, nor even speak in his own defense when he was beaten for our iniquities! 

Our natural inclination is to come back with our own accusations, justifying our actions. Believers must take captive the thoughts the enemy puts in our mind, knowing he is determined to cause division among the brethren! He comes to “kill, steal and destroy” relationships, friendships, marriages, families, and congregations! He leaves destruction in his wake.  BUT what the enemy means for evil, God means for good!

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark‬ ‭11:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When we refuse to forgive a wrong done to us - the sins that have been forgiven us, are added back and we become unforgiven, once again! In other words we lose our salvation! (Matthew 18:23-35) it doesn’t matter how big or small the deed! We are commanded to forgive! We have no other option if we will walk with Christ! 

Unforgiveness is the test that most young Christians fail. Hurt feelings is the enemy’s first and most effective ploy in causing a backslidden state. 

Repent while there is still time!

Father please shine your light in the darkness in our hearts, and expose the unforgiveness lurking there! Bring us to repentance.

Even so - MARANATHA!