The Dictionary definition of lust is: a desire to satisfy one's sexual
needs (strong sexual desire) - Excessive desire, as for power
- great zest - intense desire
Self-willed means: stubborn about getting one's own
way - willful
Self-centered - egocentric, selfish……..
And there is a long list of words in the dictionary that begin
with self-…… It is very interesting to read this long
list that contains many versions of self-interest.
In the dictionary flesh is a word that has several meanings.
First of all it is the muscular tissue or skin of a person or
animal; also the pulp of a fruit or vegetable.
But then it is described as the human body - as distinguished
from the soul, the human nature, in its sensual aspect. Also
kindred, as in one's own relatives - flesh and blood.
In the Bible we have many references to the FLESH -
and the context refers to the human nature, which is the enemy
of God and operates opposite to the principles of the Kingdom
of God and the law of Love. As you can see by the definitions
above, people are by nature bound to please themselves above
the interest of others.
Genesis 6:12-13 (NKJV)
So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for
all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. [13]
And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has
come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through
them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
This is a description of what God thought about the human flesh
nature of man and he would not allow their natural flesh
nature to continue on in stark disobedience. Many times in the
OLD TESTAMENT, God allowed judgment to fall on Israel because
of their refusal to walk in obedience to His Laws and righteous
principles.
In the NEW TESTAMENT we find a plan to redeem all flesh - whosoever
will come - from the curse of sin which had come upon all people
of the world when Adam and Eve made their big mistake of disobedience
in the Garden of Eden. (Read Gen. Chapter 3..)
John 3:3-7 (NKJV)
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say
to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God." [4] Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man
be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his
mother's womb and be born?" [5] Jesus answered, "Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [6] That which is
born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of
the Spirit is spirit. [7] Do not marvel that I said to
you, 'You must be born again.'
It would be to your benefit to read the 3rd chapter of John
but especially 3:1-20……..
To those who will accept the plan of salvation, God will give
the power to overcome ALL the sins of this carnal nature flesh,
inclinations which just come by being born in the human family.
We have inherited a SIN NATURE from Adam and Eve's sin of disobedience.
However, in John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am the
way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through Me. Now Jesus has paid the full price of redemption
and we can be freed from the SIN Nature and He gives us the
power to become a Son of God and walk in truth and obedience
to the laws of the Kingdom.
John 4:13-14 (NKJV)
Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this
water will thirst again, [14] but whoever drinks of the water
that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that
I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing
up into everlasting life."
John 15:4-6 (NKJV)
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless
you abide in Me. [5] I am the vine, you are the branches. He
who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without
Me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in Me, he
is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them
and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
Acts 1:4-5 (NKJV)
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not
to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the
Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from
Me; [5] for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be
baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
The first step to getting free from any bondage is to
acknowledge the problem.
Be willing to pray and repent, asking God to forgive and to
cleanse your heart from all sin and bad habits, and those hidden
sins that you are not even able to name.
The second step is to open the Bible and find out what
God expects of you in your daily life and walk in the Spirit.
Make a list of the commandments as you read through the New
Testament and begin to practice doing what will please God.
The third step is to never let a "sin" or
mistake take you down into an attitude of self-condemnation
and the wrong idea, -that you might as well just give up….
The fourth step is to be faithful to read your Bible
and find time to pray - every day!
The fifth step is find a church and Christian friends
to help and encourage you as you learn to walk in the liberty
of belonging to God and His Kingdom.
