Galatians 5.16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Have you ever noticed that when you decide to fast or go on some diet, the entire world seems to become one big hot fudge sundae? You find yourself trying to not think of eating, only to increase your hunger by thinking about what you are trying to avoid. Such is true in our walk with Jesus Christ. In our desire to walk in holiness, instead of focusing our eyes on The Lord, and what He tells us to seek after, we tend to think of all of the things we must avoid. Indeed, we must abstain from fleshly lusts that war after our souls, but you will never walk in holiness if all you do is focus on the flesh.
Walk in The Spirit. Put on the whole armor of God. Instead of dwelling on those fleshly lusts, choose those things that edify you and draw you closer to The Lord. Yes, we need to resist the devil and he will flee. But did you notice that the verse before that reads, draw near to God, and He will draw near to you! See the difference? Instead of dwelling on the negative, focus on the positive. Seek The Lord and His strength, seek His face forevermore.
If all you to is dwell on what you should not be doing, you will never learn to enjoy fellowship with the Lord, or experience the power of His grace. The Christian walk is not a defensive one, it is an offensive, intentional, deliberate pursuit of The Lord. It is preferring to be spiritually minded, rather than carnally minded. Yes, in our flesh dwells no good thing. No argument there. But to dwell on my flesh is not profitable, not virtuous and certainly not setting my affections on things above.
Refuse to be a follower of Jesus who only dwells on things after the flesh. Dwell on the things of The Spirit. Seek the face of The Lord in your prayer closet and throughout your day. When temptation comes, draw near to God and you automatically will resist the devil. Walk in the love of Christ today. Put His goodness and gentleness on display. Walk by faith, and not by sight. Desire what God says to desire, and that will help to keep you from eating that hot fudge Sundae.
