You searched for Flesh - Page 7 of 32

The Without Guile Milk of the Logical

(τὸ λογικὸν ἄδολον γάλα)

Guile is the use of words in cleverness to deceive. We see this type of vile workings in those who crucified Christ, plotting to have Him arrested, but not in public lest there is an uproar from the people, Matthew 26:4-5. After the resurrection of Christ, guile is used by Elymas, who sought to pervert the proconsul of Paphos from the straight ways of the Lord, Acts 13:8-10. Guile is an aspect of unrighteousness, for when used, what a person says may not be sinful, but the use of cleverness to manipulate others is done out of deceit, Romans 1:29.

Logical is that which comes out of proper reasoning. One who is being logical will draw inferences from premises to conclusions that are based upon, and tested by, truth. God’s word is logical and cannot be interpreted through emotions, for emotions do not require proper reasoning and are based upon feelings, not actuality or facts. Therefore, the Word of God does not use the cunning, deceitfully persuasive words of men in their wisdom; rather, it comes in Spirit and inherent ability, 1 Corinthians 2:4. Spirit is our rational part; therefore, the soulish man cannot receive the things from the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:11,14. Those who seek to deceive the saints use persuasive words, changing the grace of our Lord into licentiousness, according to the principles of the world by using the passions of the flesh, not the truth related to the Christ, Colossians 2:4, 8.

It is our reasonable logical religious service to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God, Romans 12:1. For the truth of the matter is, He purchased it, 1 Corinthians 6:19. Any logic that lifts itself above […]

The Without Guile Milk of the LogicalLuther Walker2023-12-23T07:20:05-08:00

Scandalize (σκανδαλίζω)

Scandalize is to shockingly offend a person’s moral sensibility.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of a man scandalizing himself when he looks at a woman for the purpose of desiring her for adultery, for in doing so he has already committed adultery in his heart, Matthew 5:28. The kingdom of the heavens is what Jesus is preaching. After the Messiah comes, is cut off, the Temple is desecrated by Satan, and the Messiah returns in glory, He sets up a Kingdom that will last for 1000 years, Daniel 9:24-27. In setting up this kingdom, God makes a new covenant with Israel in which He writes His law within their heart, Jeremiah 31:33. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is giving instructions concerning the rules of this kingdom, not for today. This man scandalizes himself because he intentionally violated the law of God that is written in his heart by acting upon a thought to desire another woman by glancing at her for this purpose. Unlike under the Mosaic Law where the act of adultery, which is a sin, would be punished, he is held liable for scandalizing himself by using his members in a way that is contrary to what he knows is right even though the physical act of adultery has not been committed, for sin and scandalizing are not the same thing. This is not referring to today, for we are in a period of time in which we must learn the law of God, which for the Church is to live by grace through faith. Therefore, such desires, although we may strongly desire not to have them, do not scandalize us, for we expect to have to deal with […]

Scandalize (σκανδαλίζω)Luther Walker2023-12-23T11:33:57-08:00

Simplicity (ἁπλότης)

Simplicity conveys a singleness of nature or unity. Therefore, its purpose is not dividable; rather, it is immutable while expressing a state of openness, frankness, or directness.

In addressing the saints in Rome, the Apostle Paul encouraged the ones with the Spiritual gift of giving to use this gift with simplicity, Romans 12:8. Whether we have the gift or not, when it comes to giving, we are not to do it under compulsion, or out from necessity, but with a cheerful heart, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians 9:7. Therefore, let each one determine in his heart what he desires to give from his excess and do it so with simplicity, having no other intent.

In contrast to fleshly wisdom, we are to conduct ourselves in this world in simplicity and godly sincerity, 2 Corinthians 1:12. This is especially important when it comes to ones who teach the Word of God. Their purpose should always be to teach others, not to gain anything from them by teaching. An assembly should take care of its Pastor, and for those who serve well, they should provide for him a double portion; however, the intent of the Pastor should be simple, to equip them unto a work of ministry for the edification of the body of the Christ to bring them all to a unity (oneness) of the faith and a full experiential knowledge of the Son of God so that they are no longer tossed around by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men in deceit.

When it comes to someone who presents a different gospel or receives a different spirit, we are not to put up with them, for they seek to corrupt us […]

Simplicity (ἁπλότης)Luther Walker2023-12-23T11:36:06-08:00

Dealing with Bad Thoughts

A temptation is a solicitation to do wrong. It comes from a desire to perform something that we know is against God’s expectation of us. Understanding how we go from a temptation to sin is important to comprehend in order to stop the process by taking the way of escape before we work out the desire from the temptation. In the book of James, we find the process by which we are solicited and how that temptation works out to sin.

Let no one say when tempted, “I am being tempted from God”. For the God is without temptation of wrong and He tempts no one. But each one is tempted by his own strong desire while being drawn out and baited. Then the strong desire after being conceived, births sin. And the sin, when it is finished, brings forth death – James 1:13-15.

We are first presented with a strong desire to do wrong by one of our three enemies: the sin nature, Satan, or the world system. This temptation has no impact on us until we accept the desire as our own and then choose to perform it. Conception is the combination of a wrong desire and the determination to do it. This is a trespass and always happens within the mind, resulting in a person being in a state of unrighteousness, although sin has not yet happened. Conception does not guarantee birth, but unless it is interrupted it will always result in sin. Once a temptation has become a desire within us that we have determined to fulfill, if we do not apply the truth, the faith, or reject what the world wants, this determination will work out to sin when we perform the […]

Dealing with Bad ThoughtsLuther Walker2023-12-14T08:11:01-08:00

Philosophy (φιλοσοφία)

Philosophy is the fondness of wisdom through the rational, methodical, and abstract consideration of reality as a fundamental measurement of human existence. Because philosophy is based upon the traditions of men and the elementary principles of the world system, not according to the Christ, the wisdom it seeks is also that of the world. A wisdom that is by its nature foolishness to God.

As Christians, we are to beware of those who seek to gain control over us through philosophy and vain deceit., Colossians 2:8. Just as the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers of Athens rejected the truth of the resurrected Christ, philosophers continue to do that today because they do not seek the wisdom of God, Acts 17:18-32. Those who profess themselves to be wise while rejecting the clear evidence of the Creator, through their lack of appreciation for what He provides, become foolish in their darkened hearts, changing the incorruptible God to that of corruptible man, birds, four-footed animals, and creeping things, Romans 1:21-24. These are the “so called” wise religious men of this world, who follow after the traditions of men, while ignoring the truth. They are the ones teaching the elementary principles of the world as a means for righteousness and peace: touch not, taste not, handle not. These are practices that have an appearance of wisdom in self-made religions, humility, and neglect of the body that have no value in controlling the indulgences of the flesh, Colossians 2:23. If anyone thinks himself to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God and those who think they are wise in this age are caught in their own craftiness, 1 Corinthians […]

Philosophy (φιλοσοφία)Luther Walker2023-12-23T11:38:11-08:00

Previous 678 Next