Welcome to this week’s blog. This week’s blog topic came to me in a dream a few nights ago. I felt compelled to share the big question most of mankind still ponders over. What are sins of the flesh?
Sins of the flesh are evident conducts of behavior, thoughts and actions that are not God’s ways. At a quick glance, most will recognize that not one of the following sins convey love or compassion.
According to biblical prophecy, sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things of this nature are all sins of the flesh. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these (Galatians 5:19-20 ESV).
As God has clearly warned us throughout His word, the Bible, we are clearly not to do things we cannot hide from Him. We will suffer His wrath and be judged by Him, as our days are numbered before we find ourselves standing before Him pleading for forgiveness for these horrific sins. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 21 ESV).
When each of us take a hard look at our lives, our lifestyle and our character, as well as how we treat both our friends and our enemies, we can quickly identify which sins of the flesh are apparent in our day-to-day lives. First, I want to note that we are all sinners and none of us will ever be “sin free” or perfect without sin. But we do have the choice to be more like Jesus (who was perfect and sin free) by making every effort to live a sin free life. By repenting in daily prayer, we will not only have God’s truth in us, but we will also inherit the Kingdom of God. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But there are several ways in which we, as children of God, can prepare ourselves for the Kingdom of God (1 John 1:8 ESV).
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV).
As I mentioned earlier, there was only one man who was perfect and sinless in this world. Jesus, the son of God in the flesh, was sent into this world more than two thousand years ago, not to condemn the world, but to help His children push back the power of sin, to gravitate back to His truth, and get right with God so that we do not perish, but we will be saved through Him. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17 ESV).
In Genesis, the beginning of Adam and Eve sinning in the Garden of Eden, sins of the flesh have given birth to desires of the flesh passed down by our ancestors; therefore, sin (fully grown) only brings forth death to man generation after generation. Just as history repeats itself, so too will our generation be witnesses to the destruction of this world through the sins of man, and the following of evil and malicious ways, Satan’s ways.
There is no room and no time to take a back seat to renewing and repenting your life, and/or to be baptized in the name of our only Sovereign Lord, Jesus Christ. I am a daughter in faith and I, living in this generation, hear the call of my heavenly Father more than ever. We must learn that our ways are not God’s ways. Our plans are not His plans. In order for us to get up and get it right with God, we must first fully understand what He expects of us, as we are only in this sinful and broken world, not of it. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming (Colossians 3:5-6 ESV).
How do you think Jesus wants us to prepare for His return? What can we do as children of God to secure our place in heaven? How can we not only save ourselves, but also help save others from perishing?
Brothers and sisters, there are several ways to remove yourself from a sinful nature and to prepare for Jesus’ return. I have identified the top seven (7) ways I strive to live every day according to “God’s ways, not my ways!” in this sinful, corrupted world.
1. Pray Every Day - Bring your praises first, then your needs. And, no need to ramble on because Jesus knows your thoughts, desires and needs before you do.
2. Openly and Freely Talk to Jesus - Converse with Him on daily decisions, choices and temptations, regardless of how big or small you might think they are.
3. Open your Bible Every Day - Pray for discernment and guidance so that God can reveal to you His message you need that day and time, because He does meet you wherever you are that day.
4. Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross - I wrote a blog on the meaning of this back in December 2018, Graceful Perseverance: Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross - 12/30.
5. Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life - Be still, be quiet, be patient and you will hear a still, small voice. When you invite the Holy Spirit in, He’s there to stay.
6. In Every Season Be Ready - Be a living testimony, a witness to Jesus. While we wait for Jesus’ return, we are to be obedient to His commands.
7. Lead others to Jesus - Help restore others with gentleness and compassion. Keep watch on yourself also, so that you too don’t fall back into sin and temptation.
Brothers and sisters, if you commit your entire life to God, not just part of it, but all of it, you will truly see prevalent life changes that you never dreamt imaginable.
As for me and my life, I am experiencing predominant life changes, simply taking up my cross and committing to my seven daily practices above, and so can you.
Blessings until next week,
Debra Pauli Unstoppable Believer
Scripture Quoted From: Holy Bible - The English Standard Version (ESV)