Discerning flesh through the Spirit

1 Cor 2:11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

Greetings Church Family! Its such a joy to be back with y'all after couple of weeks. Thank you all for upholding my family and I in your prayers as we tearfully bid farewell to my beloved Mom. While we miss her dearly and mourn, we also rejoice in the hope that we'll see her one day with Jesus. That's the blessed assurance that brings mourning and rejoicing together at the same time. To the world it is an oxymoron but to those who are in Christ, this is eternal truth and an exclusive blessing for those who believe in Christ.

Some see Flesh and Spirit as oxymoron! But, both are real and a step further, flesh is the home of the Spirit until the day we are in Jesus's presence (1 Cor 6:19). So, we cannot neglect or ignore either of them.

When we overly ignore the flesh, its aspirations, emotions and demands, we neglect reality and pretend as if flesh is nothing. Some even label it as 'ascetic' pursuit of God and His holiness. Such pretentious pursuit does not sustain for long. As long as we live in this world, struggles of the flesh are real and handling them in a Biblical way is critical part of our Spiritual growth. That's why Jesus prayed for his disciples to be kept in this world (John 17:15-16). If Jesus Himself was tempted in the flesh by Satan (and overcame), we can't simply ignore the reality of the flesh.

When we overly ignore the Spirit, we fail to discern what is of the flesh and what is of the spirit? We become ignorant of the Biblical ways to handle aspirations, emotions and demands of the flesh. Isolation or running away from the world is not the way but being sanctified by His truth while live in the flesh in this world is our calling. When His word saturates our mind and sanctifies our heart (John 17:17-19), we know where to look for answers to life's struggles.

The goal of life in the flesh, indwelt by the Holy Spirit is progress and not perfection. We'll never be spiritual enough, perfect enough until we are in Jesus's presence. Until then, it is important to keep the outer man/women (flesh) and inner man/women (Spirit) healthy in every aspect of life.

The world embodies the idea of 'fake it until you make it'! People look great on the outside while miserable on the inside or vice versa. That happens when you neglect or ignore either the flesh or the Spirit. You eventually become what you pretend to be to a point of the fake external persona you put up for others becomes the real you, even without you realizing.

God wants the real you in flesh and in Spirit. He knows your struggle in the flesh and that's exactly why God the Holy Spirit indwells the believer. Jesus, God the Son was born, lived and died in the flesh and resurrected. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is in you and me (Rom 8:11). We don't need to pretend or fake life, but just learn to listen to the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us discern life and yield to His leading.

Joy/sorrow, success/failure, accomplished/disappointed, healthy/unhealthy, motivated/depressed, whatever may be life's situation you are handling at this point;

Would you

• Recognize the real life struggles/emotions and not neglect/ignore them?

• Desire to discern life in the flesh (aka world), through the Spirit?

• Be still and listen to the Holy Spirit who knows the mind of God and His plans for your life?

• Let 'His Truth' sanctify and help you discern life's choices?

You are not alone. Get in fellowship with fellow believers who Love the Lord, Abide in His Word, Pray and Live a real life in Christ. Let them infuse hope in you through God's Word and Prayer.

God bless and Godspeed your journey to progress towards Him!