Women Lifting the Standard of God: Prelude

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves 

with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, 

and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 

2 Corinthians 10:12

Like a child that looks to their parent for acceptance and approval; that’s the way we should look to our heavenly Father.

When we consider what He did for us; how God put his love on the line for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him, I am awed as we all should be.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.   Romans 5:8

If that’s not love, I don’t know what is! It’s this love that binds us to Him and ought to make us want to abide by and with Him. The bible tells us that there is a way that seems right to man;

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25

Therefore, I can’t go by what I or what others think is right, I have to go by the word of God. That cuts out my and everyone else’s opinions. The way that is right and guarantees us a seat in heaven is living by the standards established by God. That standard has to be so ingrained in us that no matter what we abide by it.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.  2 Corinthians 6:17

It is the spirit of God residing within us that causes us to cast off everything that is not like Him; to come out from among 'them' and live a life that is separate, holy and pleasing unto God.

God holds us to a standard that is derived from His word; it is not the standard of the world.  Everything we strive to be, all that we strive to do, all that we strive to achieve, the way that we handle our successes and our failures should all be based on biblical standards and truths.  Our ways do not come from the world but through the way of God.

God tells us in His word that His thoughts are not our thoughts and our ways are not His ways but  our goal should be to constantly strive to be the very thought of God and our ways to be in compliance with God’s ways.

  

There is a way that we, as women of God  are to carry ourselves.  God designed us to be helpmates to be nurturers and made us the fairer sex and yet He also gave us resilience; strength and the ability to stand and resist ungodly influences.  When we go back to the beginning of creation, the bible says that God saw that Adam was alone and needed a help mate.

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  Genesis 3:18

However, with the fall of Adam and Eve, we left the original design or pattern of God.

We’re given examples through God’s written word of what his pattern on us should look like and what it shouldn’t look like.

All this, said David, the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.   1 Chronicles 28:19

The Bible is the written record of the patterns and principles by which the Kingdom of God operates. In order to follow these patterns and principles, we must understand their importance.

A Biblical pattern is a spiritual model or example given in Scripture for purposes of imitation. For example, the life of Jesus Christ is given as the pattern or model which believers are to follow.

A Biblical principle is a spiritual truth taught in Scripture. Such principles often incorporate additional subordinate principles which apply to many different situations. For example, one Biblical principle taught by Jesus is "Give and ye shall receive." Its subordinate truths apply to giving money, material goods, friendship, etc.  In each of these, spiritual benefits are received as a result of the act of giving.

However, when Satan entered the scene we took on his nature of lies, deceit, envy, jealously, strife, dissention, and the list goes on and on.  God would that we have His nature of love, peace, joy, goodness, kindness, faith, longsuffering, peace, and temperance.  These are requirements for the kingdom of God.  When we take up residency in the Kingdom of God we must learn the patterns and principles of Kingdom living.  Not only must we learn them, we must apply them to our lives.  It is similar to learning the lifestyle of a new country to which we have immigrated.

Even as Jesus died on the cross for us so that our sins may be washed away and we may have our eternal home with Him, we are to die to the world and the things of the world.  When we are baptized in the name of Jesus, the bondage of sin is broken and we die to the world and emerge in new life in Jesus Christ; dead to the world yet alive in Jesus Christ!  

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

Just as Jesus died in the world but emerged victorious through death to prepare our eternal home for us, so must we symbolically die to this world and emerge as agents for Jesus to help bring others to the realization of Jesus and what He accomplished for mankind.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have new life here on earth!  We can live better lives as new creatures in Christ Jesus even as we await His return.

God is not pleased when we do not uphold His standards:

In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.  Ezekiel 43:7-12   

- stay tuned; the next blog will be examining women of the bible and the standard they lifted.




Biblical Studies





06/11/16
-8/08/20

Faith Pleasing Unto God

But without faith it is impossible to please him: 

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that 

he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Hebrews 11:6

The word of God shows that if we are not faithful in trivial or small matters, we cannot expect to be faithful when confronted with weightier matters. 

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.  Proverbs 24:10

God tests our faithfulness in our day-to-day activities, and it is in them that the believers's maturity emerges. The Laodicean attitude, one of indifference to the things God considers important, often reveals itself as faithlessness. 

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  Revelation 3:15

God's words to the church in Smyrna show that faithfulness does not guarantee a life free of persecution. 

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.  Revelation 2:9

In fact, the more faithful we are, the more at odds with the world we become.

®      Faithfulness is necessary in all situations:

His master answered, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.'  Matthew 25:23

The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.  If then you haven't been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches?  Luke 16:10-11

Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself.  Revelation 2:10

Being truthful, doing God's work and being loyal are also faithful works.  We are faithful when we lovingly conceal the sins of others rather than making it public and have private intervention rather than gossip about them.  

The one who goes about slandering others reveals secrets, but the one who is trustworthy conceals a matter.   Proverbs 11:13

As believers, we must make faith a living reality in our lives so that we can produce faithfulness.

We cannot please God without true faithfulness.

Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6

®      We demonstrate true faithfulness as revealed in the following scriptures:

A truthful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.   Proverbs 14:5

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters. Proverbs 25:13

Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their food at the proper time?  Blessed is that slave whom the master finds at work when he comes.  I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions.  Matthew 24:45-47 

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James 2:18-24

The faith through which we please God and receive salvation is God's gift. 

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit.  1 Corinthians 12:4 

to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,  1 Corinthians 12:9

Those in His true church have the faith of Jesus. It is not just our faith in Him, but His faith placed in us. Faithfulness, therefore, is a gift of God produced through the Holy Spirit.

®      We accumulate faithfulness ourselves:

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  Romans 12:3

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.   Ephesians 2:8-9

®      It’s Jesus’ faith:

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Ephesians 3:12

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:9

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12

Apostle Paul says that Jesus dwelt in Him through the Holy Spirit. This indwelling of God's Spirit enables us to be faithful. Jesus' faithful mind is imparted to us and becomes part of our mind. If we provided the faith to obey God, it would be self-righteous. Our righteousness must come through the faith of Jesus Christ.

Faithfulness includes loyalty, conscientiousness, dedication and truthfulness. This not only refers to our feelings and actions toward God but also to the influences of the Holy Spirit in directing and controlling our behavior toward others. A believer must always be faithful—as a child, spouse, parent, friend, neighbor, and employee. The believer is faithful to his contracts and promises. Faithfulness is a character trait of one whom others confide in and trust.

®      The effect of Jesus living in us:

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.  Acts 3:16

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  Romans 1:17

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 8:9-10

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:   Philippians 2:5

(Biblical Studies)

06/09/16
04/15/20

All Things Working For My Good

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, 

arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: 

for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. 

1 Peter 4:1

The Bible has much to say concerning suffering, problems, and afflictions.  We know that suffering comes for many reasons.  Be it because God allowed it (Job), because of sin or disobedience (Jonah), because the enemy wants to distract you from your God-given assignment (Jesus) or the circumstances of life have just weighed you down (Naomi), we still recognize the sovereignty of God and realize that even though we may not see it or even understand it, it is working for the good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.   Romans 8:28

Our goal is not to become distracted but to continue steadfast in the will of God:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35-39

We know that this is a suffering way; the bible tells us so.  But, that very same bible also lets us know that we are overcomers and we are victorious through Christ Jesus!

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:36-37

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Peter lets us know that we should fortify ourselves with the knowledge that we will indeed suffer and by doing this, we are preparing ourselves mentally for what is sure to come our way.

THE PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS SUFFERING

Trouble is not necessarily a sign of being sinful. The Bible declares, 

"many are the afflictions of the righteous"   Psalms 34:19

When we suffer innocently and not because of our own sin as in the case of Job, we should maintain a proper attitude towards suffering.


The real test of our spirituality is how we respond in the day of distress:

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.   Proverbs 24:10

The Bible describes the attitude we should have when we suffer as a believer within the will of God.

→      We should not be ashamed:

If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf. . .    1 Peter 4:16

→      We should commit our suffering to God, knowing He works all things for your good:

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator.  1 Peter 4:19

→      We should be happy when we suffer according to the will of God:

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;   Ephesians 5:20

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.   Acts 5:41

Apostle Paul says we should be:

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.  
Romans 12:12

. . . being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it. . .   1 Corinthians 4:1

. . . in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. . .   2 Corinthians 6:4

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.  2 Timothy 1:8

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.   1 Thessalonians 3:3

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.   2 Timothy 4:5

→      We should not think it strange when we experience suffering:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed ye may be glad with exceeding joy.  1 Peter 4:12-13

Apostle Paul summarizes the proper attitude toward suffering when he explains. . .

. . . though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. . .   2 Corinthians 4:16-18




(Biblical Studies)




11/19/16
05/31/19

01/15/21

And These Signs Shall Follow . . .

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; 

they shall speak with new tongues; 

They shall take up serpents; 

and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; 

they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 

(Mark 16:17-18)

In all areas of ministry the name of Jesus is to be used.

As believers and followers of Christ, we go forth in the name of, strength and power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is so important to know that we are not to follow signs and wonders, but they are to follow us as we do the thing that Jesus commissioned us to do.  

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them IN THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  (Matthew 28:18-20)

And these signs shall follow them that believe; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.   (Mark 16:17-18)

According to these verses, the following ministries are to be done in the name of Jesus:

→   Signs And Wonders:  

All powerful signs and wonders are to be done in the name of Jesus. The disciples prayed:  

And Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy Word.  By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that SIGNS AND WONDERS may be done IN THE NAME of thy holy child Jesus.  (Acts 4:29-30)

→   Preaching And Teaching:  

Jesus said all power and authority was given to Him and through this power commissioned preaching and teaching of the Gospel in His name:    

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them IN THE NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:   Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. . . (Matthew 28:19-20)

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His NAME among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46-47)

Because they recognized the power in the name of Jesus, enemies of the Gospel message warned the disciples that:  

. . . they speak henceforth to no man IN THIS NAME. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach IN THE NAME OF JESUS.   (Acts 4:17-18)

But Peter answered:

. . . We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.  (Acts 4:20)

The disciples witnessed the power of God. The things they had seen and heard in the name of Jesus were a powerful force driving them to fulfill their ministries.

We are not only to teach IN the name of Jesus, we are to teach ABOUT that name:

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)

→   Baptism:  

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  (Acts 19:5)

On the basis of that name, believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit:  

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift (baptism) of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)

→   Casting Out Devils: 

Demons are the angels of Satan. They were formerly the angels of God who joined Satan in rebellion against God. They are now part of the forces of Satan active on earth in many evil ways.

Demons can enter unbelievers and actually possess them. Demonic powers can oppress believers, but not possess them. Their Satanic powers are to be broken in the name of Jesus:

And these signs shall follow them that believe; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils. . .  (Mark 16:17)

When Paul was confronted with a demon possessed woman, He said to the spirit:

. . . I command thee IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. (Acts 16:18)

Absolutely everything we do from the least to the greatest should have Jesus at the core of it!

(Biblical Studies)


10/25/15
11/29/16

05/30/19

Reign It In

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: 

and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

Galatians 5:16-17

One reason God has given us grace is for us to express self-control. It is hard to imagine a believer, preparing for the Kingdom of God, who does not strive for continual and resolute self-government, that is, one who allows his passions, tastes and desires unbridled freedom to express themselves. That is what the world does! As an example, we witnessed what happened on January 6 during the certification of the persidential election on Capital Hill  --  unbridled passion released!  When we witness such a demonstration, it gives strong evidence that the person is unconverted. Blind passion is not meant to be our guide.  Apostle Paul tells us that there are some things that should not even be named among us

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Ephesians 5:3

If men live guided by their animal passions; not ever employing the fruit of the spirit, they would land in the ditch or worse because 

"God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap"  Galatians 6:7

"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."    Galatians 5:17

or the worst case scenario:

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  James 1:15

The beloved disciple, John, gives us a wonderful truth of God; He has placed a powerful gift inside of us that exceeds the power of anything we may come against!

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.   1 John 4:4

Sometimes we seem to consist of a whole clamorous mob of desires, like week-old kittens, blind of eye with mouths wide open, mewing to be satisfied. It is as if two voices are in us, arguing, "You shall, you shall not. You ought, you ought not." Does not God want us to set a will above those appetites that cannot be bridled.  Does God not want us to have a conscience that will not be lulled or deceived and that will be true to God and His standards? We must either control ourselves using the courage, power and love of God's Spirit, or we will fall to pieces.

Adam and Eve established the pattern for mankind in the Garden of Eden. All of us have followed it, and then, conscience-smitten, we rankle under feelings of weakness. They were tempted by the subtle persuasions of Satan and the appeals of their own appetites for forbidden fruit that promised something forbidden to them.  Eve was overcome by temptation and she pulled Adam in with her. To this they succumbed, and they sinned, bringing upon themselves the death penalty and much more evil besides. What is the use of appealing to men who cannot govern themselves, whose very disease is that they cannot, whose conscience cries out often both before and after they have done wrong, "Who shall deliver me from this body of death?" It is useless to tell a king whose subjects have overthrown him to rule his kingdom. His kingdom is in full revolt, and he has no soldiers behind him. He is a monarch with no power.

Someone once said, "If conscience had power, as it has authority, it would govern the world." Authority without power is nothing but vanity. Conscience has the authority to guide or accuse, but what good is it if the will is so enfeebled that the passions and desires get the bit between their teeth, trample the conscience and gallop headlong to the inevitable collision with the ditch?

Apostle Paul lets us know this truth of God:

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.    2 Timothy 1:6-7

It sounds so bleak, but it's not!  The solution to this lies in our relationship with Christ: 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.   Philippians 2:12-13

This is the only thing that will give us complete self-control, and it will not fail.  Jesus makes this wonderful promise of strength to those who trust Him: 

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!    Luke 11:13

Trust Jesus Christ, and ask Him to govern your life. Ask Him for an overflow of God's Holy Spirit, and He will help you to control yourself. Remember, this is a major reason that He gives us His Spirit. He will not fail in what He has promised because the request fits perfectly into God's purpose of creating sons in His image: 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7

If we will only go to Him and trust Him with ourselves, living in true communion with Him while we patiently exercise the gifts that He gives, our lives will be in step with what Apostle Paul experienced through his "thorn in the flesh":  

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Apostle Paul recounts a few of the deeds of the heroes of faith in ages past: 

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.  Hebrews 11:32-34

God's love for us will fan His Spirit in us into responding in courage, strength, love and self-control. He who brought quietness and tranquility to the raging mania of a man—whom even chains could not hold — Mark 5:1-15, will give us power over the one city which we must govern, ourselves.

We must not allow self-control to be deprecated in our minds or to be of minor importance because we are persuaded that "Christ did it all for us." Nor can we allow such a deprecation to lead us to abuse God's mercy.

Self-control is an attribute of our Creator that Jesus exemplified in His life and that Apostle Paul strongly exhorts us to exercise in ours. If we are to be made in our Father's image, we will yield to God in this matter to glorify Him with our moderation in all things and with rigid resistance to sin.

Having knowledge of God without the practical experience of self-responsibility is not enough for entrance into the Kingdom.  But with the help of God's divine power, self-mastery is produced.

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;   2 Peter 1:6

The last fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5, self-control, closes the list of the fruit of the Spirit, just as drunkenness and reveling close the list of the works of the flesh (verse 21). The flesh and the spirit are contrary to one another (verse 17).  Self-control is not gained by just suppressing, but by controlling the lusts of the flesh. Those who are "led by the Spirit" (verse 18), who "live in the Spirit" and "also walk in the Spirit" (verses 24-25) attain self-control and are on their way to fruitful growth in God's character and spiritual success.

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.   If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.    Galatians 5:24-25

(Biblical Studies)

10/13/15
10/12/16
5/29/19

01/14/21