As believers in Christ, look to Him in faith, in all things. Our daily walk ought to be conformed to what the Lord loves and not what the flesh lusts after. Each day we pray that God will lead us out of temptation, that we may not abound in anything that God associates as wickedness and sinful. We live this way, that we may live in God’s glorious light and no longer live in darkness. We know what lies in the path of sin, and the outcome is always shame, guilt and remorse. These feelings have led us into depression and we no longer wish to live this way. We may walk in the flesh, of which is easily persuaded to do things that are wrong, but we know that the Holy Spirit can help us live differently. This might seem difficult to some to give up drugs, smoking, drinking, looking at porn, living in fornication, adultery or homosexuality, but with God on our side, we can resist temptation and rest in His love. Surely God can change the most wicked person and give them new life. He cleanses them from all sin and helps them live in His holiness. Nothing is too great that God cannot change, if our hearts are willing. Put your trust in the One who saves, then everything will turn out for the good, even to the point of full healing of both body and soul. Then comes a transformation in your life, where instead of serving the world and becoming more sinful, God puts His Spirit in you, that you may be obedient to Him. This is when we are able to experience true joy and happiness that never ends.
Paul was asked about how he lived his life, since he was so bold to talk about the pitfalls of sin and death. He had so much boldness to share the gospel and point out what sin is, so they questioned him about his walk in the flesh. Now pay close attention to his response. He said, 1“but I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” He was a great example of what it meant to live out our faith. He may have walked in the flesh but he did not serve it. He took every thought captive and was obedient to God. What the Lord asked of him, he was willing to do right away. Therefore, he walked in the light of Jesus and not the world. This is the same approach that all Christians should take that truly love the Lord for salvation. We allow the Lord to change us, that we may also walk in His light. May you live this way and honor the Lord, starting today. Your true colors shine when you do the Lord’s will above all things.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people of all ages, tongues and races may come to know You better. I pray for the lost, of which live in unbelief and sin and don’t even realize the dangers they are in. May they come out of the darkness and experience Your glorious light. As I once lived for the flesh, I know how the things of this world appear so good on the outside, but are only full of wickedness and abominations on the inside. Every person that is not being led by You now has some sort of sin that has taken them down this path, and if they are not repentant and have a change of heart, I know You will deal justly with them and cast them into hell. This truly breaks my heart Lord. I can see how lost this world has become and that most people are on a road to destruction. If they could just have a wakeup call, then maybe they would turn from their sins and follow You. The day that I did this was the greatest day of my life. Where I was heading down a path where there was only darkness, You came and heard my prayers and cleansed me of my sins. You saw me for who I was and who I could be and had compassion for my soul. And because I put my trust in You, my life is changed. I no longer look at women to lust but see them as beautifully made by the God above. For You are our creator and Lord of all. Every person that calls upon Your Name, there is salvation from death and hell. You are our deliver and can help every person, no matter the circumstance. Thank You Lord for leading me out of danger and into Your love. I owe all to You. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
12 Corinthians 10 (KJV)
1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
