May 25, 2020 Contending Flesh

I have noticed in the last 2-1/2 months I have gained some weight, and so have most of the people I know.  This showed me that I have been more affected by the virus and the resulting shutdown more than I thought.  I have been enjoying the slower pace, not rushing from one thing to the next all the time.    So obviously I have turned to food for comfort.  I did not dive back into chocolate or other “forbidden to me” goodies, but I did compromise in little things here and there, to satisfy my flesh.
 
As we grow in our faith putting to death the things of our flesh, we tend to think we have arrived in some areas.  But since we live in our flesh, it is hard to totally do that until we receive our glorified bodies.  The Word tells us over and over that we MUST strive to put the desires of our flesh to death every moment of every day! 
 
1 Corinthians 9:25-27  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
 
We must truly know and understand that our flesh is contending with God’s purposes! Contending means to come against, to struggle against in opposition, to dispute earnestly, to fight, competing, opposing, and challenging.  
 
1 Samuel 2:10  Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the horn of His anointed.
 
We all know God is sovereign and contending with Him is futile, so why do we keep falling for the tricks and whining of our flesh? 
 
Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
 
The Greek word for contend used in Jude means to exert intense effort.  Let’s turn things around and partner with the Holy Spirit to exert intense effort against the purposes of our flesh! 
 
Luke 13: 24 Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
 
As we continue up the mountain to get closer to the Lord, the path gets steeper and narrower.  We cannot afford to have the desires of our flesh hindering us and stopping us from going further!
 
 2 Timothy 4:7-8  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
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