Abstain!!!

30 April 2012 --- Hello everyone, How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. Primary Text “Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2v11 (AMP) “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2v11 (NIV) I just want you to take a moment to think about the different sensual urges, evil desires, passions of the flesh that you might have encountered over the years that you have thus far lived on this earth. All these things wage war against our souls, and would give pleasure only temporarily. If we remember that we are spirit beings, we can ask ourselves, what exactly is this action I am carrying out going to do for me eternally? The Bible says “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8v36). After indulging in these things, perhaps in the eyes of the world, you may be described as “cool” “smart” a “player” “fast” … But we are told to abstain from these things. Some may find that you are more constantly warring against these desires than others. If this is the case, it is time to check what and who you see, listen to, sit with, communicate with. Psalm 1v1 (AMP) says “BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous and enviable) is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, not sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.” So lets be careful how we live. Supplementary Text “Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. Therefore, my dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid by flight if need be) any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).” 1 Corinthians 10v12-14 (AMP) Father we thank You for Your mercy, Your unfailing love. Father I come to You today. We ask for mercy and forgiveness for any sin we have indulged in and submit to the leading of Your Spirit to help us overcome fleshly lusts, in Jesus name, amen.