180 Basic Training # 7 – Know Your Enemy ~ blog

One of the most difficult things for people who are ensnared in sexual brokenness to remember is that we are in a battle for which we need to be prepared daily.  The problem is we are not in the military where we would be reminded every day with the trumpet blaring revile.  Having to daily put on a uniform and having a sergeant screaming in our face. There is no need to remind anyone they are in a battle when they are in a foxhole.

However, we wake up in a warm bead, can choose what we want for breakfast, wear a fresh change of clothes every day, and go about our day, when we are not working, pretty much doing what we want to do.  Sure, there are family responsibilities, commitments to friends or groups that we can choose to schedule.  But there is nothing to keep us reminded that we have enemies who want to take us out.

Paul says it this way to his disciple Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:4;

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”

The soldier, the athlete, and the farmer all have something in common.  There is someone or something they are working against.  The soldier has his enemy.  The athlete has his opponent, and the farmer battles against the elements.

So, let me lay it out for you.  You have three enemies who are going to be working against you for the rest of your life.  They are real. They are present. They want to take you out.

The first enemy is our FLESH. This enemy is part of us, and it dwells inside our bodies. James tells us in 1:14;

“…each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

And Paul says in Romans 6:12;

“Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”

The word flesh is used two ways in the Bible.  It refers to that part of our body that is made up of skin and muscle.  It is also used to refer to something that dwells inside of us and is also referred to as our sin nature.  We are born with it.  It remains in us after we have been born again, even though we are now a new creation.  It dies only when our body dies.

Some people live under the misguided thinking that every person is born either good or as a clean slate.  The Bible does not teach this.  We are born with a sinful nature.  There is this thing in us that manifests itself in selfishness and rebellion.  Sure, babies look innocent enough as they coo and smile and giggle.  Then, around the age of 2, some things begin to manifest themselves.

Their two favorite words are “NO” and “MINE.”  Where did they learn that??? They didn’t learn it from seeing it in others … it is part of the sin nature or flesh with which they were born. Just volunteer to work with the 2-year-old’s at church and you will need no further convincing.

Children have to be trained to share and to submit to authority.  There is something inside of us that reacts to seeing a sign “Wet Paint – Do Not Touch.”  Because we are told not to touch, we want to touch.  There is this part of us that urges us to do things that we know are bad and unhealthy.

As we grow up and find ways to give in to our sinful desires, our flesh/sin nature grows stronger.  We create neurological pathways in our brains through repetitious actions so that whatever the action is we are drawn to it more quickly and can act on the desires more effectively.

The first and foremost solution we have to deal with this flesh is the Holy Spirit.  Paul says plainly in Galatians 5:16;

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 

It is the Holy Spirit of God who dwells inside of us who has the power for us to overcome the flesh.  To do that we must learn how to be filled with the Spirit and how to walk in the Spirit.  As we do this, He will transform us into stronger and better followers of Jesus.

Below is a short eBook I have written on the Transformation of the Spirit which will teach you how to both be filled with the Spirit and how to walk in the Spirit.

Tomorrow we will look at Enemy # 2 – The World

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