Daily Companion  | 26 October

ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS

" Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. (I Peter 2:11). 

There are certain urges that usually come from within or without the flesh. They could be sinful habits to cheat, steal, falsify, lie, bribe, take bribes, or fornicate. They could be tendencies to oppress, subjugate, impoverish, or maltreat others. These are all dictates of the flesh. You are not under any obligation to succumb to whatever these urges or tendencies tell you. 

Beloved, you must always be conscious of this: you are not indebted to the flesh. That your flesh is a personality involved in the act of sin and you are not under obligation to obey it. You are to rather rule over it. "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh"(Romans 8:12). A genuine repentance and salvation in Christ is a good start to rule over sin. But you need self-discipline too.  A man without self-control is like a city, broken down and without walls (Proverbs 25:28). Self-control means restraining yourself. 

Secondly, you need God’s Spirit to counter the flesh. You must be born of the Spirit. Allow the Spirit to help you dominate over fleshly lusts: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. The word of God is spirit, read it always. 

Lastly, remove the flesh-pleasing items from your priority list. It is not worth it. The flesh is a mere dust and dust shall it return. Rather, create a godly environment around yourself: godly friends and family, godly views, godly conversation. Set your affection on things above - for our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. (Colossians 3:2; Philippians 3:20, 21).

Today’s Recite:    ...Sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” - Genesis 4:7 (NKJV)

Today’s Morning Prayer:  Thank You Jesus for paying the debt for my sin on the cross. I surrender all to You today. Help me to overcome and rule over the sinful flesh always. I pray for more self-control and discipline. Lead me by Your Spirit and grant me grace to navigate this world with integrity, hard work and righteousness. Hence, help me to see Your face in holiness at last. For I pray in Jesus' mighty name. Amen!  

Today’s Hymn: Yield Not To Temptation  

Today’s ReadMe:  Romans 1 - 3