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Hephzibah
Ministries
ness. The temptation may not disappear immediately, but you will be given a
way to bear it, to hold out against it. The temptation remains an active possibility,
but God gives us the option of trusting in His reliable, delivering power.
Bearing temptation implies an ongoing process. You can win the battle, but the
war will never fully end until the last shot is fired at the coming of Jesus when every foe will become his footstool (see Acts 2:35). In the meantime, 8be vigilant and
cautious…for that enemy of yours…roams around like a lion…seeking someone
to…devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith…knowing that the same…sufferings
are appointed to your brotherhood…throughout the world9 (1 Peter 5:8-9 AMPC).
8Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.9 Galatians 5:16 NKJV
Lust is as natural to us as breathing. Our flesh nature lives to fulfil its selfish desires. It
never gets enough or stops wanting more. Alternatively, our new nature craves
more of what satisfies the Holy Spirit who lives in our redeemed spirit. We9re more
familiar with the appeal of the flesh because we have invested more time and
energy in nurturing it. We understand its urgency, its appeal, its control, and its
compelling tug. But as we invest equal time and energy in what pleases the Holy
Spirit, we experience the fulfilment and power the Spirit alone can bring.
So what does 8living in the Spirit9 really mean? Paul tells us, 8Walk in the Spirit, and
you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh9 and 8Thanks be to God who always leads us
in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in
every place9 (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV). There is a way to live above the gravitational pull of the flesh, a way that beats living in a constant cycle of defeat/
repentance/defeat.
Granted, God is a God of forgiveness and restoration who accepts the genuine
confessions from the hearts of His people, and forgives all our transgressions (see 1
John 1:9). But 8abundant life9 means living where most of your time is spent rejoic-
ing in victory. Just as living in the flesh implies living in accordance with the edicts
of your human nature, living in the Spirit implies living in accordance with the
guidance of the Holy Spirit as outlined in God9s Word. And the end result is that
8you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh9.
