How can a person be saved if he or she does not first realize that the deeds and thoughts of his or her flesh are in opposition to God? How can one possibly believe he or she is in need of a Saviour without realizing how despicable the human heart/flesh can be? As David said in Psalm 51:4, " Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight." It would have been difficult for David to reach this state of brokenness and repentance if he had never regarded his deeds/actions as being evil. He did not seek forgiveness until after his sinful choices were made apparent to him by a prophet sent by God. May ministers for the Lord never forget to preach on sin and repentance. We live in a society where, gradually, every sin is being downgraded. Now, more than ever, believers must not sleep. When you see a person attempt to downgrade sin by using a Bible verse, the answer is this: KEEP ON READING. The Truth is revealed in the Bible; read it in context. When you see a person use a grace verse to support sinning, KEEP ON READING.
Below, information within [brackets] offer the original Greek definition of the word listed before the [bracket].
Romans 8: 12-14
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify[to kill] the deeds [practices or acts] of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Galatians 5: 16
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."
Galatians 5: 18-21
"But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication [harlotry - including adultery and incest; figurative idolatry], uncleanness [physical or immoral impurity], lasciviousness [licentiousness - lacking moral restraints, especially sexual restraint], idolatry [literal or figurative image worship], witchcraft [medication; magic], hatred, variance [quarrel], emulations [jealousy as of a husband or of God or of an enemy; malice], wrath, strife, seditions [disunion], heresies, envyings [ill-will, jealousy, spite], murders, drunkenness, revellings [carousal, partying, letting loose], and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God"
Ephesians 5: 1-6
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness [shamefulness; obscenity], nor foolish talking, nor jesting [witty in a vulgar sense], which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience"
Revelation 21: 6-8
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Do we not believe that the same Lord who lived sinless in the flesh, who patiently endured a brutal crucifixion, who resurrected from the dead, who performed countless miracles and healings, who cast out countless demons -- Do we not believe that He can help us, by His Spirit, overcome our sinful fleshly nature in this life? Not by our works but by His Spirit, we can overcome! Obedience is mandatory. Believing this is not optional if one hopes to inherit eternal life. We must die to our flesh daily.
We must be led of the Holy Spirit.
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