Prompt discernment and dissipation of fleshly wiles

Prompt discernment and dissipation of fleshly wiles

Matthew 16:21-23; Galatians 5:16-18.

key verse: Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that all of you cannot do the things that all of you would.

There is a continuous struggle of the flesh to dominate the life of a believer. It relentlessly seeks avenues to manifest and take control. This is one of the avenues that satan seeks to have an inroad into our lives. He brings subtle suggestions that go against the purpose of God knowing fully well that God does not support anything outside of His enablement. It takes diligent heed and consistent watchfulness to resist every attempt of the devil to use this avenue against our faith- 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The prime way to overcome the flesh is by the continuous sanctification and consecration of our hearts daily. We must daily subject our minds to the burnings before the altar of God and allow His Spirit to carry out the work of removing the debris of worldliness and brewing besetting sins, purging us, and making us fit for the service of the Master.

Christ, from the text, was able to recognize an attempt by the devil to derail His purpose. He promptly muzzled the opposing tongue and testimony of the enemy. This attempt came from within His circle, a prominent and close friend, who was just showing concern and thought he needed to protect Christ from Himself. Little did Peter know that his “innocent suggestion” was in gross misalignment to God’s will. We must beware of our counsels and rendition of help to other brethren in their trying moments so that we don’t negate or hinder the accomplishment of God’s purpose and will. We also must persistently seek discernment concerning matters of our destiny and submit to the leading voice of the Holy Spirit in making decisions concerning such matters- James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The example of the young prophet in 1 Kings 13:11-24 is a warning proverb to every Christian to subject every suggestion of men to the truth of the word of God and the testimony of the Holy Spirit in our heart. A related scenario played out during Paul’s time in Acts 21:11-14, but he recognized and vehemently rejected the offer of an easy way out of the appointed suffering for the sake of the gospel.

Meditation:

1 In the warfare that is raging
For the truth and for the right,
When the conflict, fierce, is raging
With the powers of the night,
God needs people brave and true:
May He then depend on you?

Refrain:
May the Lord depend on you?
Loyalty is but His due;
Say, O spirit, brave and true,
That He may depend on you.

2 See, they come on sable pinions,
Come in strong, Satanic might,—
Powers come, and dark dominions,
From the regions of the night;
God requires the brave and true:
May He then depend on you? [Refrain]

3 From His throne the Father sees us;
Angels help us to prevail;
And our leader true is Jesus,
And we shall not, cannot fail:
Triumph crowns the brave and true,—
May the Lord depend on you? [Refrain]