Man, who is born of the flesh, does the works of the flesh.
The
flesh never improves. By the Holy Spirit we can control the flesh.
But the flesh is always trying to rise up in us and take over.
This is the reason we see so much sin, corruption, violence, and hatred in the acts of humans today.
The flesh is ruling in those persons who do evil works.
Galatians 5
20 Idolatry, witchcraft (living in superstitions), hatred, variance (arguing), emulations (trying to outdo others), wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 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.
We
who are born again, born of the Spirit of God, have the Spirit of God
in us so we can choose those things brought to our attention by the
Spirit of God and overcome our own flesh, not doing the works of the
flesh but choosing to do those things shown to us by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
We
control our own flesh by refusing to do that which our flesh wants to
do and instead we do that which the Holy Spirit shows us to do in the
matter at hand.
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Here is an example:
I am 83 at the time of this writing.
One day I was bombarded with thoughts.
"What will you do if this happens to you? What will you do if that happens? How will you handle this?"
I cried out to God: "Help me!"
Immediately this was brought to my mind: "God will supply all your need."
"That's right!" I exclaimed!
Instantly I believed that Word, "God will supply all my need", and I was at peace and was joyful over that Word.
(When
we believe God and rest in HIS Word, we enter into HIS rest and live in
the New Testament sabbath, ceasing from our own works.)
If I had reacted by the flesh, I would have been trying to make plans for "what if".
But to walk in the way of the Spirit is to walk appropriately to the word I heard from the Spirit:
"God will supply all your needs."
So
do nothing, unless you hear there is something to do, knowing that God
will deal with each problem, often even supplying that need before there
is a need.
So we live in a state of rest in God (our sabbath) and peace because we believe that word brought to us by the Spirit.
And
when we go in the way shown us by the Spirit, we will bear the fruits
of the Spirit automatically by that way which we are going.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:
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In the New Testament church, we are given the Holy Spirit at the time we are born again by God.
Ephesians 1
4 According as HE hath chosen us in HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before HIM in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ (The Word) to HIMSELF, according to the good pleasure of HIS will,
6 To the praise of the glory of HIS grace, wherein HE hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In WHOM we have redemption through HIS blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of HIS grace;
8 Wherein HE hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of HIS will, according to HIS good pleasure which HE hath purposed in HIMSELF:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times HE might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in HIM:
11 In WHOM also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of HIM who worketh all things after the counsel of HIS own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of HIS glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In WHOM ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in WHOM also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of HIS glory.
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So of the natural man, the man who is born only of the flesh and is not of the Spirit of God, we read.
Genesis 6
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted HIS way upon the earth.
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted HIS way upon the earth.
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The apostle Peter says:
2 Peter 3
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
(God said to me: "You will never make this present earth righteous, no matter what you do.")
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless.
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