Who's Running This Life??

By Ana Renee

Wait a second. I thought this month’s theme was purity? Did someone accidentally schedule this post?

Perhaps I should explain my seemingly random choice of topic. Choices made based on our feelings, emotions, and intellect are a reflection of “self” running one’s life. Yielding our feelings, emotions, and intellect to God’s will and basing our actions on His Word is a reflection of God running one’s life.

Purity is one of those areas that can be saved or shipwrecked depending upon who is in control. Galatians 5:22-23 lists qualities that are a reflection of us living according to God’s Word: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

If you notice, the conduct of a person not living according to God’s Word is listed previously: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

The first three “works of the flesh” are specific points that reflect a lack of purity: “adultery, fornication, uncleanness.”

Galatians goes on to say, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (verses 24-25) If we are true followers of Christ, then we should not be running our lives! We should be walking in God’s Spirit.

Photo by Amanda T.

So, how does this affect purity? I will give you just two examples.

I will save all of my affections for after marriage

Flesh:

       “But I’m going to marry him anyway!”

       {Fill in the blank with any excuse}

Bible:

        “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

        “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4)

         “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:1-2)

I will keep my thoughts pure

Flesh:

       “It really doesn’t matter if I think about him; after all, he might be my husband.”

       "Thoughts don't affect me"

       {Fill in the blank with any excuse}

Bible:

       “. . . for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts . . .” (1 Chronicles 28:9)

      “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.” (Psalm 139:2)

      “Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?” (Proverbs 15:11)

      “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in [God’s] sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13)

These two examples are very clear pictures of what can happen when we leave our decisions up to our fleshly lusts and desires. To keep us from making unwise decisions, God has given us His Word. It is our light (Psalm 119:105), our counselor (Psalm 119:24), and our guide (Psalm 73:24). But if we neglect to use it, we will be left in the dark without counsel and guidance. It is our responsibility to study the Bible and ask God for direction (2 Timothy 2:15).

Spirit-controlled choices are based on God’s Word and His guidance. Flesh-controlled choices are based on emotions, feelings, and intellect.

Who is running your life?

Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

Psalm 119:36