Flesh vs Spirit – Larus Press

As we walk with the LORD, we always face challenges and blessings. In my case, for many months, I have had a singular desire above all others: to walk by faith, always in the spirit, and not in the flesh.

“That which is spirit is spirit, and that which is flesh is flesh.” (John 3:6)

Paul says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

God has been taking me at my word and has been giving me opportunities to surrender to Him. I’m excited, because I see that I am honouring Him more as I choose to surrender the urges to follow my own desires, impulses, and wilful determinations, and instead to walk His path.

There isn’t a formula for drawing close to God. One thing that I do that draws me closer on a daily basis, is that I read His word (I like Psalms especially), pray (including in Tongues) and sing. “Reign in me” is one song that, when I sing it prayerfully, helps me to open up to God’s presence. And He comes.

Benefits and Changes because of the Spirit-filled Walk:

I am letting go of Control and growing Self Control (Gal 5:22-23). Each day, I consciously choose to pray, to linger over His Word and to ask what I’m meant to focus on today.

I am discovering that most days I do far less, yet I accomplish far more. I am deepening my connection with the LORD and in so doing, I’m deepening the ministry He’s given me, becoming clearer in my thoughts and more capable in my actions. The added bonus is that I’m experiencing far less stress. Remember, His yoke is easy, his burden is light (Matt 11:30).

Walking only in the spirit is a process I may not complete this side of Eternity, but I’m making progress. The result is that “my” time and my talents are getting more use. I am more fulfilled, because I’m not following my own error-ridden agenda. His agenda is fulfilling, because it is that which He has purposed for me to do. Given that He is my creator, He knows best what will fulfil me:)

The path to living a surrendered life has included a change in life style. Instead of planning my time, I’m becoming more spontaneous again – the way I was when I was younger.

I’m finding I’m growing in patience with others (and myself). My attitude is more gracious. I’m practicing that love includes honouring and serving others.

I’m learning to resist the urge to give an opinion and taking courage to speak God’s insight as He shares with me.

I’m less prone to being indignant. Because pride has many faces, I can choose not to act out of wounded pride, becoming distrustful or hostel to others. Instead I’m freer and let others make their mistakes, as I make mine, without seeing their actions as an attack toward me, and without condemning them for being fallible.

I’m facing a personal fear: that I must control my time and the use of my energy and ability. Instead, in surrender, I’m using my God-given talent and life experience that I’ve developed over the years in a more fluid way. I’m more relaxed and more productive, daily moving in the direction that will yield more progress.

I’m fighting and defeating self-importance – allowing God to raise me up instead of looking for the person(s) or opportunity that holds my destiny.

I’m learning God blesses me when He sees I’m ready. I’m being pruned. And every pruning is a move towards readiness. Joseph was in prison for a long while before he acted in the authority God had ordained for him.

I’ve been practicing how to honour my hubby more and more, deferring to him more often without resistance.

Encouragement to You the Reader:

As I’ve been learning that self justification, self defence, self anything – is not important, I want to encourage you also. As we follow God’s lead, and trust that He protects us, we die to the flesh that has been preventing our breakthrough.

When you feel a block to your personal progress or to your calling, what can you do? I recommend that you don’t fight it, but step over it, ignore it, and do whatever it takes to stop allowing it to affect you.

God is our breakthrough. Trusting in Him and living our lives totally surrendered to Him brings the breakthrough we so earnestly desire.

God promises us the desires of our heart.

A Simple Prayer:

May we walk more yielded to Father GOD, so that we might receive from Him the creativity and direction He inspires us to walk: full of grace, harmony and confidence, being as He has created us to be, fulfilled and fulfilling the purposes He has for us for these days.

Psalm 27:14

“Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!”

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV)

Our faith is strong, our commitment true, so why read, study, pray and praise daily?

We need our lay our dependence totally upon him. As we journey, and go deeper into the purposes God has for us, the way is uphill… not only invigorating, challenging, awesome, but also debilitating, full of the unexpected, and – at times – painful.

We read the Word to discover Jesus and our way to walk; we’ve become committed and know Jesus is our Lord and Saviour, so what is the need for daily refreshing?

We study the Word to show ourselves approved; so once we know the Bible, why do we continue to review it?

We know and trust God’s sovereignty; so why refresh His mind with our prayers? Why are we called to pray without ceasing? (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Because sometimes the Way is stormy and hard, to be full of the Spirit and the Word of God is not only the best way forward, but even the only way forward.

God is all-knowing; he knows we are thankful. So, is it really necessary to praise Him and thank Him frequently?

The answer is a clear and resounding “Yes!” because of the battle between the flesh and the spirit. When I pause from the habit of reading, studying, praying and praising, my flesh rises up and all-so-quickly, my frame of mind shifts from hope, faith and love to worry, despair and fear.

In the battle between flesh and spirit, the weapons of the Word and prayer guard my heart and mind. To walk in His Spirit is freedom, and to do so requires repeated and continual surrender. Yes, I have been saved and am born again (John 3:7), but the process of sanctification – of becoming purer and more holy and loving – will continue for the rest of my life.

As a follower of Jesus, my life’s work is to grow deeper in love with him and to share that love. The flesh cannot do this. So, to pray and praise, to read and study enables His Spirit to fill me. More of you, Lord, and less of me is the heart’s desire of Believers.

So we to study and live, surrendering our flesh; we draw closer and closer to the person God has created us to be: in His image. That’s why taking nothing for granted, we read, study, pray and praise.

Come Holy Spirit, fill us to be more like you. Prepare us for all you have for us, so that we may overcome every obstacle and rejoice in all circumstances.