Living For The Flesh Or God?

My desire is for all people that say they believe in Jesus Christ, to also believe in Him for salvation. Surely, these people must want to go to heaven one day, so why do they continue to live a life of sin, that is of the flesh? Why do temptations come and they have no armor to defend themselves? This is only giving into the Devil, in which causes a person of faith to walk in darkness and not in the light of Jesus. And soon, we become like the prodigal son, who knew of God’s love, but instead decides to live their own lives, apart from Him. It is in this time of our lives that we end up doing things that God hates, like being addicted to pornography, masturbating, having sexual thoughts towards others, having sexual relations outside of marriage and even with those that are married, falling into doing drugs, finding ourselves at bars in order to get drunk. What I described here are people that know about Jesus, but have not been born again in the Spirit. If they have, then the things I mentioned above would no longer be ruling over their lives. Instead, they would have given it over to the Lord in prayer, that He may expel the darkness out of their lives. We are then cleansed by His blood and placed on His righteous path. In this time, we are still tempted, but are able to defend ourselves. We do this through reading the Bible daily, ²“which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17), while continually praying, which showcases our ²“shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16). This allows the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are no longer a person wandering throughout this life, wondering if God would save us and ultimately forgive us. However, we have been saved already and God is renewing us each day that we seek Him.

Earlier, I mentioned a portion of the story of the prodigal son. This is because we are all like him at one time in our lives. Every believer in Jesus is either living for Him or simply knows of Him and are instead living for the flesh. Those confess their sins to God find mercy and are cleansed by the blood of Jesus. These are those that have left the world for God’s sake. They had enough of the bondage and guilt they were under and gave it all to God. So when they came to the feet of Jesus, He ran to them and immediately welcomed them home. For those that come back to God, Jesus says that He will ¹“bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.” (Luke 15:22) All of their shame is swept away and are forgiven. They now have God’s presence to protect them and are able to overcome the temptations in life. This they do for, because of their love for Jesus. However, all other people that have not gotten off the path of destruction are risking their own soul for the things they have. Surely, what they have and are doing must be worth more to them, then what God can do for their lives. For this reason, millions of people like this die each year in their sins. They awake in hell and are now awaiting judgment. How awful is this? Especially when God was ready to receive them, if they would have just repented and came unto Him fully. We don’t have to struggle in our sins, for God can rescue us. So the question is, are you ready to give your life to Christ? I hope you are, for the Lord will hear your prayers and receive you. All it takes is a humble heart, and then God can change your life and give you the right to be saved.

Let us pray:
Lord, it is my prayer that more people make a decision today to follow You. To stop living their own lives an instead, repent of their sins. I know that You are waiting for us all to just take You by the hand and then You will do the rest. We don’t have to wonder throughout life, trying to find the right way, for You are ready to guide and direct us on the right path now. Unfortunately, our flesh gets in the way and people start thinking that their self-gratification is more important to them then your salvation. This is very sad to see people risk their own lives, just for temporary pleasure in different things. Truly, they are on the verge of either escaping their life of sin, or are getting themselves further trapped in it. So I pray that they will be rescued before time is up. It would very hard to see people that I know and love go to hell, when their decision to repent and come unto You was always in the back of their minds. I know that sin can do terrible things in our lives. It can ruin the relationship we once had with You. Thank You for showing me this, so that I could repent. I would never want to lose out on Your eternal presence in my life now and the next. What I have learned is that Your blessings are more important to me, then whatever the world or the flesh can offer me. I can be poor, but still be rich in You, God. All I need is Your presence and I have the greatest joy of all. Nothing Satan can offer me can ever replace Your great love. All I want is more of You and less of me. Take my heart, Lord, and use me for Your greater good. I wish to be Your servant, that many lives will also see Your love through me. Light up my life, oh Lord. Give me strength to carry on. Lead me away from temptation. Build me up with Your armor. I trust in You. I love You. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

¹Luke 15:11-32 (KJV)
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

²Ephesians 6:10-18 (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;