We have three enemies that can keep our soul from flourishing in Christ:
- The Devil (the tempter)
- The World (the temptation)
- The Flesh (the tempted)
(Ephesians 2:2-3)
The devil tempts our flesh with worldly lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Our flesh loves these! The devil tempts us so we will give in to sin and be drawn away from Christ. These outside forces (devil and world) can only affect us if our inward flesh allows them in to lure us away from Jesus.
What’s the key to overcoming the devil’s temptations?
It’s not improving our flesh…it’s crucifying it!
It’s walking by the Spirit – resisting temptation, obeying the Word, living in the Spirit, emptying ourselves of sin, and allowing the Spirit to fill you!
We need to do what Paul said in Galatians 5:16-18: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
What are some of the actions of being in the flesh?
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
What are some actions of walking in the Spirit?
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-24)
Crucify the flesh’s acts!
Resist the devil’s temptations!
Focus on the eternal Jesus not the fleeting world!
Keep in step with the Spirit!
Walk in the Spirit!
Live by the Spirit!
Allow the Spirit’s fruit!
Now that’s soul flourishing!
stephen R Harrison 
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