Jesus tells us in Mark 8:36 & 37, “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul (KJV)?” What good is it if we have all the money in the world but we don’t know Jesus? What is worth exchanging our eternal lives for? Are we running after the things of the world and forgetting that God is wanting us to completely trust Him with every ounce of our being? And as a Christian I can at times allow my flesh to dominate my mind and I lose the victorious life He has for me. So often I spend so much time pursuing monetary things that I forget what is most important in my life to run after. The priorities in my life get all upside down and backwards. What I need to pursue is Spiritual things, godly things. But the cares of the world keep pulling me down and clouding my vision. The flesh pulls at us and then the enemy puts things in our way to trip us up and we then fall. James 1: 14 & 15 says, “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (NIV).” We see something or think something that is evil, we then don’t immediately fill our hearts with good thoughts but we dwell on our temptation, then it takes root and we act on it. Remember what Jesus said? That if you hate your brother or sister in your heart you have murdered them. Or if you look after a woman in lust you have committed adultery with her in your heart. You have a choice to get angry or not. You have a choice to give that person a piece of your mind or not. You have a choice to get frustrated with that person that’s blocked the whole isle in Walmart while they look at clothes that you KNOW will never fit them anyway so why even look! or not. We have a choice to do what pleases the Lord, not our flesh.
In the 5th chapter of Galatians we have a contrast between good and evil. Verse 19 tells you all about the acts of the flesh. As a matter of fact Paul says that they are obvious! “Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Then Paul gives us the contrast, the Fruit of the Spirit in verses 22-23-“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Verse 24 says, “Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” If we belong to Christ the flesh doesn’t rule in our lives anymore. Those that don’t belong to Him have no reason to change, but we do! We want to change because we desire to please Him. So this week let’s work hard on “taking captive every thought!” Please let me know if you need anything. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve