When I was a new convert, a baby in the things of God, I was constantly reminded of how the flesh constituted a great hindrance to Christian life.
Jesus, before starting His ministry went in the desert for 40 days in order to fast.
There are many theological and doctrinal explanations trying to explain the reason why Jesus went on fasting before starting His public life.
In today's Bible teaching, I will give you one reason why Jesus had to make that choice:
'He needed to master the impulse of His flesh against temptation.'
You see fellow readers, when you desire to follow the Holy Spirit in your destiny walk, the greatest enemy will be your own flesh.
What is the flesh?
Biologically and spiritually, the flesh represents the natural form of man that includes the physical body and the feelings.
Fasting for 40 days was meant for Jesus to master and discipline the desire of His flesh. Eventually He came out victorious and stronger since He successfully managed to control the impulse of His flesh for food, pride, and the love of material things. You can read the story in Matthew 4:1-11.
Why is it necessary to master your flesh if you wish to walk on your destiny?
As soon as you give your life to Christ, the Lord creates a purpose for you in which you will very often need to follow steps unpleasing to your flesh (physical body and feelings). And if your desires are turned towards the way you feel rather than the Holy Ghost's way, you will surely fail to realize God's purpose for your life.
Paul mentioned the word 'flesh' 91 times in his letters and wrote the following verse:
'For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.' (Galatians 5:17)
Jesus, before starting His ministry went in the desert for 40 days in order to fast.
There are many theological and doctrinal explanations trying to explain the reason why Jesus went on fasting before starting His public life.
In today's Bible teaching, I will give you one reason why Jesus had to make that choice:
'He needed to master the impulse of His flesh against temptation.'
You see fellow readers, when you desire to follow the Holy Spirit in your destiny walk, the greatest enemy will be your own flesh.
What is the flesh?
Biologically and spiritually, the flesh represents the natural form of man that includes the physical body and the feelings.
Fasting for 40 days was meant for Jesus to master and discipline the desire of His flesh. Eventually He came out victorious and stronger since He successfully managed to control the impulse of His flesh for food, pride, and the love of material things. You can read the story in Matthew 4:1-11.
Why is it necessary to master your flesh if you wish to walk on your destiny?
As soon as you give your life to Christ, the Lord creates a purpose for you in which you will very often need to follow steps unpleasing to your flesh (physical body and feelings). And if your desires are turned towards the way you feel rather than the Holy Ghost's way, you will surely fail to realize God's purpose for your life.
Paul mentioned the word 'flesh' 91 times in his letters and wrote the following verse:
'For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.' (Galatians 5:17)
The flesh , through feelings, will constantly raise reasons to go against what the Spirit tells you to do.
Every time the Spirit of God will command you to do something, your flesh will respond with many seemingly good reasons not to do the will of God.
Jesus Himself, in the garden of Gethsemane, was tempted to run away from His horrible awaiting death. He asked God to create another way to save the world...The cross seemed horrible...It was His flesh talking and trying to dominate His desires, but Thanks to God, He overcame by submitting to the Spirit. You will find the story in Matthew 26:36-46.
In the same way that Jesus was tempted, We will always be tempted to follow alternative options that our feelings will create against the will of God.
I have battled for years to overcome the desire of my flesh...Every time God would tell me to do something, my feelings would suggest another way of doing it...and I have paid the price of failure many times over.
You see, my friend, you can not realize the will of God in your life under your own terms.
And often, many Christians get dazzled by the 'perfect moment syndrome' which they understand as that specific hour where there will be no better options than will of God.
They hope for the moment where no options will compete against the will of the Holy Ghost...but that moment does not exist.
I guarantee you this:
' Every time the Holy Ghost will instruct on doing something, there will always be many good reasons explaining to you why you should not do the will of God.'
That's why many Christians fail to live their destiny.
Refuse to submit your feelings, listen to what God tells you to do and do it promptly.
When the first generation of slave Israelite from Egypt were about to enter the promised land, they were excited by the idea of living in a land of milk and honey but they refused to do it God's way by 'fighting the giants'. And God's way was the only way. Their feelings hoped for another way and as result of submitting themselves to their flesh, they did not inherit the promise land.
If you really want to see the manifestation of God's promise, you will need to live above the feelings of your flesh.
Go conquer, I am right behind you.