Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 94
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life
Ministries International
Littleton, Colorado
Notice: this email is part of a
BLOG, called Living Life With a Capital “C”. Why a blog? So that many can receive the weekly thoughts
I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner.
It
is somewhat easy to see why so many Christians misunderstand verses like the
one in Michael’s writing today…reading Scripture in English and “understanding”
what the Bible is saying by using our definitions of the English words (which
are almost as varied as the number of people actually reading any verse!) in
the current day’s usage, leads to many not really having a clue as to what God
is telling us. We have a perfect example
in Michael’s first sentence: how many read Romans 8:7-8 and ever think “flesh”
as “that condition of being under the influence of something other than Jesus”?
DAY 274
The Ice Climber
Because the
mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to
the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh
cannot please God.
--Romans 8:7-8
The flesh is that condition of being under the influence of
something other than Jesus. Made from the dust of earth, it is always dragging the
soul (mind, will, and emotions) into the things of the earth, wanting a kingdom
in the dust from which it came. The flesh, when exercising power over the soul, silences the Spirit of
Christ within. Flesh
is an amazing thing and brings us face to face with the fact that apart from
Him, there is little that separates us from animals.
I like to think of
the flesh as an ice climber. Where I live there is a sport made of climbing up
frozen waterfalls. This is dodgy business, and the climber must be careful to
find a place for the pick and spiked shoe. A tough spot is at the top, where
the water last flowed. At this point the climber must actually go up at a grade
that slopes away from the surface. Sometimes I pray, “Jesus, make me like that ice that is at an angle and
so difficult to cling to. The flesh is looking everywhere for a foothold.”
The flesh will have me
thinking of being offended or of those I have offended, of self-righteous acts
and unrighteous acts, and of guilt or justification. Positive or negative, it
does not matter to the flesh, just so long as it stays in control. It insidiously uses anything to
gain ground, and I am still amazed at what will keep the flesh ascending.
However, it has trained me and worked for me, for now as I feel its climb to
control, I know that I have moved away from the Lord. I move back, let Him tilt me a
little in His arms, and the flesh goes tumbling.
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
Michael gives us an outstanding illustration with his “ice climber”
picture. We must constantly be aware (it
is good to use “pictures” to be able to “see” something going on right before
us!) of the “flesh” and its efforts to take us away from being under the
influence of Jesus.
First of all, words have meaning, so we must walk, talk, or read with
correct wording so that the correct meaning is always before us. There is one Greek word in the entire New
Testament for this “flesh,” as talked about in Romans 8: “sarx.” Dr. Spiro Zodhiates
says, “as implying weakness, frailty, imperfection, both physical and moral;
the opposite being ‘pneuma’ (the spirit)…also as
opposed to ‘to Pneuma Hagion’ (holy, meaning
the Holy Spirit)…as implying sinfulness, proneness to sin, the carnal nature,
the seat of carnal appetites and desires, of sinful passions and affections
whether physical or moral.” So, anyone
reading Romans 8:8-9 and thinking “physical body” has clearly missed what God
is saying in these verses.
Secondly, Michael makes
some superb statements we must all be aware of:
- “The flesh is that condition of being under the influence of something other than Jesus.”
- “The flesh, when exercising power over the soul, silences the Spirit of Christ within
- “The flesh is looking everywhere for a foothold.”
- “The flesh will have me thinking of being offended or of those I have offended, of self-righteous acts and unrighteous acts, and of guilt or justification. Positive or negative, it does not matter to the flesh, as long as it stays in control.”
And, ultimately,
Michael gives us God’s answer to when we step over into the “flesh”: “I move
back (to Christ), let Him tilt me a little in His arms, and the flesh goes
tumbling.” Isn’t that so easy?!? So, why has the church continued to work in
the “flesh” by telling folks the way to move away from the “negative” is to
move toward the “positive”? Why? Wrong definition of “holy.” Think about that…
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Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
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