Blog

Time to understand and defeat the acts for the flesh

Obtaining adequate understanding of the acts of the flesh and their behavioral impact on us and others will create a definite path to remedial measures. The word of God will bring clarity to the issues involved in such carnal actions and the consequences, and informed prayer will bring the Holy Spirit's power to help in the change of behavior. This is totally within the power and choice of every believer. No credit to the devil.

The Acts of the Flesh and the Kingdom of God; Galatians 5:19

The bible says, "These are the acts for the flesh." Sadly, we have attributed these behaviors to the full influence of the devil in an attempt to disclaim any personal role and responsibility. This denial empowers our flesh to continue to produce such acts and therefore pave the way for the devil's foothold in our lives.  However, when we claim responsibility then we can see the extent to which we become accountable for our own actions.  This remedial and reversal approach will be effective and necessary only if we have the insights about these behaviors-their origins and impact on our lives. Then it will be easy for us to deal with each of them. Fortunately, because the Holy Spirit lives in us, and if we ask, He is able to give strength to our mortal bodies to overcome such behaviors.

Insights- If we understand that any of these behaviors emanates from our own flesh, and we generate them ourselves, it also means we have the power to stop any of them, if we deliberately choose to do so, instead of blaming the devil, or should I say give credit for his power and influence over our lives?

Impact- For any behavior to be desired or otherwise, one should be able to assess or evaluate its impact on oneself or the people with whom one relates. I recall one day when I got drank. I felt like having the power to stop any oncoming vehicle, no matter it speed or size. Fortunately for me, I did not attempt it that is why I am alive to write this piece. You might have you one experience from which you can learn. Have you felt this type false power of which makes you believe you are able to do everything in your life, and then when you become sober, you know that if you had acted foolishly, you would have been dead, hurt or disgraced yourself?  It could "simple" be your fits of rage. Yes this is about you, but what about others who depend and believe in you?

The Reality and Solution:  The acts of the flesh do not allow us to think through our actions enough or rather sensibly. Any person who carefully plans and steals or gossips thinks he/she will not be caught until that person is caught one day-sooner or later. That person does not think that the darkness is just half of the day, which is full of light. And for at least 365 days, the earth will be going round the evil that has been done. Think about the chances of being exposed in just one year and not even your lifetime! Stealing definitely is to satisfy the flesh.   That is why we should be sober, knowing that the devil our enemy is always looking for the opportunity to attack when he finds us deep in the acts of the flesh. Remember, when David fell into adultery the ground was prepared for murder. The acts of the flesh are not beneficial to those who desire to live in the Spirit. So walk in the Spirit. If David had walked in the office of a king as given by him by the Lord, he would have been fighting the Lord's battle and would not have fallen into sin, (see 2 Samuel 11:1-27 for the full story).

Effective Remedy:  Do not just say, "No" to the flesh. It does not work that way. It has not worked; if it had you will not be in that state now. You need to make a list of the acts of the flesh which you engage yourself in. Use the relevant word of God about the specific acts for flesh to obtain insights and their impact assessment on your life. It is after this point that you will be able to deliver yourself from them through clear and concise misbehavior aimed at getting to godly behavior. See pages 147-154 of the book, "The Power and the Potential of Prayer" for more about this topic.

Discuss On Facebook