This week I got to see the other side of a life lived for self-gratification. The tears, the anger, the anguish, the remorse was all palatable. Yet, even when confronted with truth, the journey back to sanity seemed insurmountable.
It is at times like this I want to shout a warning to those who have not yet started the journey towards pleasing self – STOP!
Paul warns in the iconic works of the flesh versus fruit of the spirit text:
Galatians 5:16–24 (ESV) — 16 But I say, WALK BY THE SPIRIT, and you WILL NOT GRATIFY THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, TO KEEP YOU FROM DOING THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES.
Friend, starting NOW, please stop blaming others for where you find yourself today! It is all on you! Take responsibility for your life by going to God and saying: “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…” (Ps.51:4). Cease satisfying the DESIRES OF THE FLESH, the LUST OF THE EYES, and let go of your pride. Then turn to God and say: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps.51:10).
