2025-09-14
Galatians 5:16 NKJV
Lust is as natural to us as breathing. Our flesh nature lives to fulfill 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. We’re 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 fulfillment and power the Spirit alone can bring. So what does “living in the Spirit” really mean? Paul tells us, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” and “Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (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 “abundant life” means living where most of your time is spent rejoicing 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 God’s Word. And the end result is that “you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Soul food: Gen 24:1-51; 2 Cor 6:14-7:1
2025-09-13
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV
According to Jesus, lust is preceded by temptation and can lead to sin (See Matthew 5:27-28). But the good news about dealing with temptation is that you’re not alone. God’s Word tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (v. 13 NKJV).
In light of this Scripture, simply saying “I couldn’t help myself” is an excuse that doesn’t hold up before God. The Bible says no temptation is greater than God’s faithfulness. If you choose the way of escape which He offers, you won’t fall into the trap. And if you do fail, it will be because you didn’t draw on God’s faithfulness. 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, “be 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 world” (1 Peter 5:8-9 AMPC).
Soul food: 2 Cor 11:16-13:14; Matt 25:31-40; Ps 19; Pro 21:3
2025-09-12
Psalm 119:105 KJV
The patriarch Job said, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman” (Job 31:1 NLT). Job couldn’t control his environment and its temptations any more than we can. Still, we can learn a valuable lesson from Job’s words. A covenant is a promise made in good faith with the intention of keeping it. It’s a step of faith you commit to before you know what circumstances you will encounter, not unlike a marriage covenant. The Bible tells us, “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17 KJV), not by our own efforts. Faith is based on God’s revealed will, and our part is agreeing with God’s will with the understanding that only by His power can we fulfill our vow.
Our selfish nature militates against keeping God’s commandments; that’s why everything we need to succeed is ours because of the Holy Spirit who indwells us. If you wait until you feel strong enough to honour your covenant with God, it will never happen. But if you make it by faith, recognizing your own weakness, the Holy Spirit will provide the strength you need to keep it! His covenant, made by faith, enabled Job to say, I will “not… look lustfully at a young woman” (Job 31:1 NIV).
But isn’t it better not to make a covenant than to make one and break it? No, because all our failures are covered by Christ’s blood. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us… and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 KJV). Repentance brings forgiveness and a fresh start!
Soul food: 2 Cor 9:1-11:15; Matt 25:22-30; Ps 24; Pro 21:1-2
2025-09-11
Hebrews 4:12 NLT
It seems like no matter where you look nowadays, there are temptations. Our young people are bombarded by imagery that confuses, seduces, and erodes standards of decency and self-control. A wise and devoted eighty-year-old pastor was asked at what age sexual temptation was no longer an issue. Without hesitation, he replied, “It must be sometime after eighty!” The truth is, if you’re breathing – you’re vulnerable!
And it doesn’t end there. Research shows that a growing number of women are becoming ensnared in the easily accessible world of seductive literature, movies, and videos. Willpower, internet filtering, and personal accountability partnering are all valuable and can help. But these alone won’t bring about deliverance or provide healing from the moral wounds inflicted by the Enemy. We all need to hear and heed some Bible directives offered for our protection.
Jesus said, “You have heard… it… said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you… anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28 NIV). The first step is to recognize that lust is destructive and scripturally forbidden. Now, Jesus isn’t talking here about a momentary glance. He is talking about a longing look that inflames desire and leads to sin. It implies a process rather than a fleeting thought. The Greek word blepo used here for “looks at” implies special contemplation or willful, extended thought.
Clearly then, a look that stirs up wrongful passion should be our cue to call on the Holy Spirit to help us resist sin and walk in purity.
Soul food: 2 Cor 5-8; Matt 25:14-21; Ps 78:65-72; Pro 20:26-30
2025-09-10
Mark 6:31 NLT
God instructed the observance of the Sabbath day with good reason: rest from our labours. Now if God felt He should rest after six days of creative activity, how much more should we? Jesus was a big advocate of taking time off. Once, He sent His disciples on an evangelistic journey. When they returned thrilled about all the wonderful miracles that had happened, you would imagine that He would urge them to maintain the momentum. He didn’t.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place” (vv. 31-32 NLT).
Note the words “people coming and going.” Does this sound like your normal day in which you rarely get a chance to take a breather? Jesus was concerned that His disciples would get out of balance. What did He know that we continue to miss? He never rushed around, never seemed to be harried or controlled by the crowds, kept His priorities in order, and always managed to complete what He set out to do. Jesus knew the importance that rest and relaxation played in His disciples’ continued effectiveness. But “time-outs” won’t occur without firm determination and planning.
You must view such times just as important as any other undertaking. Prayer: “Father, help me to make rest a priority in my life. Help me to stop dishonouring my body, this temple you have given me to perform my purpose here on earth.”
Soul food: 2 Cor 1-4; Matt 25:1-13; Ps 78:56-64; Pro 20:25
2025-09-09
Luke 2:43-44 NLT
The Bible says: “Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travellers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him” (vv. 41-44 NLT). This story has a happy ending because Jesus’ parents found Him. But it doesn’t always turn out that way.
Don’t “assume” your children are okay. Today they have access to drugs, guns, and pornography via the internet, where they can meet a paedophile as well. That should concern you. Jesus said Satan comes to “steal… kill, and… destroy” (John 10:10 KJV). Don’t let him have your family.
After being set free from demonic control, a man wanted to travel with Jesus as one of His disciples. But Jesus said, “Go back home to your family and tell them what the Lord has done for you” (See Luke 8:39). Your dream job or house will feel empty if you lose your children. Indeed, your achievements may taste like ashes in your mouth.
If you have been traveling the road to success and neglecting to bring your family along with you, make a U-turn! Go back and get the people who matter most. Commit yourself to making the journey only if it includes them. Pray with the psalmist, “I need your help, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should” (Psalm 101:2 TLB). Don’t assume your children are okay – be sure they are.
Soul food: Eze 46-48; Matt 24:36-51; Ps 78:40-55; Pro 20:22-24
