By: Donna J. Kazenske
Are you an individual that likes quick fixes and drive-thru Christianity? If so, you’re not alone in this dilemma.
The church worldwide desires quick fixes. Most of us don’t like to wait on God, nor do we want to spend hours studying His word in a manner that would transform our lives for all eternity. Why is this? It takes effort to spend time with God, study His word and do what He has called us to do.
Our world, as we know it, operates in fast speed mode. We are a people that desire instant gratification of both the flesh and the spirit. We enjoy drive-thru experiences because it doesn’t waste our time. But what are we doing with all of our extra time? Are we spending it on spiritual things, or are we wasting it on the things of this world?
I believe God is raising His standard (the word of God) in our lives. He is calling His church to walk in the Spirit so that we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. The flesh desires quick fixes. The Spirit desires whatever it takes to fulfill God’s plan and purpose.
Galatians 5:16-21 - I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Over the years, I have seen many Christians attend deliverance seminars and counseling sessions which seemed to work over a short period of time, but eventually proved to be of no avail in the lives of these individuals. Why is this type of ministry common practice in Christian circles? Why are so many people not delivered?
I know there are various answers to these questions, but I want to focus on one possibility in particular.
Galatians Chapter Five defines the works of the flesh. It does not list adultery, fornication, dissensions, idolatry, lewdness, heresies, revelries, sorcery, hatred, murder and drunkenness as demonic spirits. It lists them as works of the flesh.
If these are in fact works of the flesh (which they are), why are we calling them demonic spirits? Could it be that Christians are not getting delivered from these so-called demonic spirits because these are not spirits at all, but instead are works of the flesh? Is it possible to cast out the flesh? Of course not! Flesh must be crucified, not cast out.
There are no quick fixes when it comes to the flesh.
Galatians 5:24-25 - And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Are we as Christians walking in a manner that is pleasing to God? Are we walking in the Spirit, or are we still walking in the flesh?
If we are truly walking in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh mentioned in Galatians Chapter Five. If a person is truly converted, they should not be fulfilling the lusts of the flesh; they should be living a victorious life in Christ.
Scripture tells us that those who walk in the flesh to fulfill its lusts thereof will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Why are so many leaders preaching a watered down gospel message today? Or, let me take it a step further. Why are so many leaders preaching another gospel today? Why are we not preaching true repentance which leads to true conversions and godly lifestyles? Why do we have so many so-called ’seeker friendly’ churches in our society today? Is it because we are afraid to preach the truth of God’s word? Is it because we don’t want to offend people with the true message of salvation and what it really means to be saved?
We can’t live with one foot in the world and one foot in the church. It just doesn’t work that way. We are either in the kingdom of God or we are in the kingdom of Satan. There are no in-betweens.
Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."
Denying oneself speaks of denying self or denying the flesh. The cross speaks of crucifixion or death. If we want to truly follow Jesus, we must deny our selfish nature and all of its ungodly attributes. We must crucify the flesh and live by the Spirit of God.
I believe it’s time for the church to return to the Lord. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to come and root out everything in us that’s not of Him. We need to get back to preaching the true message of the kingdom of God which leads people to true repentance.
True repentance brings true conversion, deliverance and healing. True repentance negates the need for counseling and deliverance sessions. True repentance, according to God’s word, converts the soul and allows one to walk in the Spirit.
May God grant us mercy as we work out our own salvation.
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