Deliberation

“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.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Deliberation

Pain has slowed me down. There was a time, seemingly decades ago, when I would jump from my seat and go about what ever tickled my fancy. My body was but an extension of my mind, and whatever I wanted to do, it was automatically cued up to do it. This was particularly dangerous in the years before I knew the Lord Jesus, for my impulses were nothing but sinful.

Now my days are full of deliberation, carefully considered movements and decisions that keep me safe and less likely to find myself falling. My withering tent is fragile.

There is a need for deliberation in the life of the follower of Jesus, for there are many stumbling blocks that the evil one, the devil, has placed in our path. The only way we are kept safe, is to walk in the Spirit, using the all the tools the Lord has given us to light the way, thus bring to our spiritual sight the pitfalls that may exist.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
Psalms 119:105 NKJV

Going through Galatians has been a delight in the face of all the things that are happening in our world and all the things that are coming. In my reading, I have seen the supremacy of the Spirit over the keeping of the law, for the law does not have the power to save, or to transform. One look at our world is an example as we create more and more laws, yet life on earth becomes all the more unlivable.

Walking in the Spirit is a deliberate act, for we humans are given choices. Even after one has come to salvation, received the Holy Spirit, is being made new, we still have the choice to obey God or not.

In my life, I have seen the progression of my life from one dedicated to disobedience, to one who adheres to the will of God. I have learned from the struggle in disobedience, that it is far better to walk in obedience, for there is great protection in following the word.

In my past life, the consequences of sin were in abundance, for I struggled and was wrought with much affliction. In Christ, and in obedience, I walk protected, for the Lord provides those who walk in the Spirit strong armor.

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”
Ephesians 6:13-18 NKJV

By taking on the armor of God, we have enough protection to buy us time to make the right choices. We also have the guiding of God, that we take the time to deliberate and follow the will of God.

I tell you the truth, it will be very difficult to follow Jesus in the coming days, weeks, months, or perhaps, years. The world will press in on us seeking either surrender or destruction. It will be the Spirit that gives us any hope of victory.

Brothers and sisters, let us avail ourselves of all the great things the Lord has given us: His word, access to Him in prayer, fellowship with the saints, and His Holy Spirit. May the fruit of the Spirit be in great abundance, that the legend of Christ’s goodness, justice and love go before us like a strong aroma.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 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.”
Galatians 5:22-25 NKJV

May the love of God be the strongest of element of our scent.

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
I Corinthians 13:4-5, 7 NKJV

By walking in the Spirit, we will be in extreme contrast to this world, for the flesh contends with the Spirit. Pray that the Lord give each of us the ability to de deliberate in walking according to the Spirit at all times, for those adhering to the flesh are actively looking for excuses to go to hell.

May the Gospel message that we bring be so alluring that those destined for Hell, turn and move to the cross. May we be faithful to go and preach the word of God unvarnished, in full power to all who will hear.

Pray for those who are daring to go and tell, for all the street preachers who are willing to lay it all on the live. Pray for the missionaries in dangerous places, who are willing to place themselves in danger for the furtherance of the Good News. Pray for the pastors in the pulpits who still stand on the word, even as the world pressed them for messages that tickle the ears, but fail to afflict the soul.

Pray for that sinner nearest hell, someone like I used to be, that they have a moment of pause the next time they hear the Gospel, that their ears be opened and their heart be moved. Let us be deliberate in every divine opportunity the Lord gives us.

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https://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm