March 14, 2010
Desires of the Sinful Nature…continued
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The desires of the sinful nature is many times called the flesh. I am currently studying material for recovery and addiction and I find it fascinating how science has discovered how the biochemical processes of the brain influence our behavior. Most of the behaviors that these processes reinforce are ultimately destructive. These biochemical processes could be called the flesh. Scans show that acting in behaviors that are “addictive” lights up the brain pretty much the same way, whether it is sexual addiction, substance abuse, gambling or workaholic, approval seeking, success addiction.
The bible describes it in this way, “He that sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption.” Galatians 6:8
While we are alienated from the life of God through Jesus Christ, the effects of satisfying our natural desires, personal needs and lusts, draw us further into alienation by becoming one with the condition itself. We are not only corrupted but we are the very agent of corruption. Our character and activity persuades and encourages corruption in the life of others.
All these behaviors are acted out to get some satisfaction or peace. The flesh is seeking out peace in worldly activities. Initially these activities deliver a sense of satisfaction or peace but ultimately they lead to despair and destruction. But Jesus said that He gives us peace, not as the world gives us peace.
Galatians 6:8 continued, “But he that sows to the Spirit, will of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
The mind sowing its will into activities that are of the Spirit’s power and purpose, produce true peace and joy. This is because through obedience to the Spirits desires we receive a relationship by personal experience of the Father through the Son, which is life everlasting.
John 17:3 “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only True God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
When I made the post earlier this month about the desires of the sinful nature, I had not yet started the training in addictions. In that post I wrote that the sinful nature is self-gratifying, pleasure-seeking, entertainment loving, rebellious of authority, desiring social attraction (popularity), and public applause. This class confirms each and every one of these qualities. I am not saying that I was right but that God was. He always is. It is just so awesome to see science confirm what God has always said.
Holy and gracious Father God, I pray that Your good news is received far and wide. That all may see that You love us and desire to save us from this body of sin, despair and destruction. I thank You, Lord, for illuminating my understanding of Your love, my brokenness and Your will. I plead for your strength for all by brothers and sisters to grow in accomplishing your will through the peace you have given us. I could never express the gratitude I have for the gift you have given, an eternal peace for my soul. What soothing water it is. It is in the name that has provided my peace and salvation, Jesus Christ, that I pray right now. Amen
February 25, 2010
Desires of the Sinful Nature
What are the desires of the sinful nature
spoke of in Galatians 5:16-26? These are desires and cravings of our human nature apart from God. While the world we live in has changed in many ways from the world that existed at the time man was created, the nature of man has not. He is self-gratifying, pleasure seeking, entertainment loving, rebellious of authority, desiring social attraction (popularity), and public applause. These are the desires of a heart that is not of God.
As we read his word, we grow in the knowledge of God’s will and are given the understanding through the Holy Spirit. With this knowledge and understanding we are able to recognize how the sinful nature tries to push us to act against His will. We can then choose to capture those desires, pick up our cross each day and nail those desires to it. We are not supposed to crucify these desires buffet style. Each and every one of them are to be put to death for the life in Christ to be fully effective. Any one of these desire left within will compete with the will of God and the work of the Spirit. If fact they will also compete with others to keep them to a spiritual achievement, blessing and divine favor that is equal to or less than our own. The one who considers himself less superior than others and works to make others superior to himself will be the greater. Words from Jesus himself! We are to complement, complete, lift up each other not to compete with, put down, or step on.
I pray, Lord, for your strength to be poured out into me that I may put those desires to death, that new desires may be renewed in my mind, my life sown into Your will and that Your will might be accomplished in my life. May I lift the ones around me high in Your name. I love you God, all your ways and beauty. Amen
Koinonia 