The Flesh Is Weak Series

Confessions of a Pastor, Part 2

January 14, 2007

“The Flesh is Weak”

Confession- To admit or acknowledge

Anger is the emotional response to perceived wrong or injustice. (Cain- sin is crouching at your door)

Humans live in a constant struggle between the desires of the spirit and the desires of the flesh.

"Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38 (NASB)

(Jesus is speaking to the disciples who keep falling asleep)

Spiritual issues become apparent through physical actions.

“I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?" Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin’s prison. 15 What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. Romans 7:14-15 (The Message)

(We desire to do right, we simply can’t find the strength.)

To change our behavior, we must begin to allow God to change our heart.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

Satisfying our fleshly desires trades intimacy for convenience. (People become a means to an end)

Seeking to satisfy the desires of our flesh counterfeits unconditional love. (We miss God’s plan and design)

The results of satisfying the desires of our flesh:

Broken relationships

Spiritual emptiness

Uncontrolled guilt

Steps of protection and help:

Meaningful relationship (accountability)

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16 (NLT)

“If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NLT)

Resistance to temptation

“Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. “ James 4:10 (NLT)