I am really struggling, with flesh that is puffed up - I don't know how to respond to the law of sin

[Gottservant]

Hi there,

I know I need the Holy Spirit. Let me make that clear. What I am writing about, is that I think allowing the Holy Spirit to work, takes more than a mental acknowledgement that there is sin, righteousness and judgment. The flesh is what concerns me now.

Jesus said the times He was in, were the "green" times and that there would be "dry" (from memory, the Gospels). The struggle I have is that I have given in to the flesh so many times, that I am no longer in the 'green times' and I am not sure how that changes the will of God. Naturally, He will still require repentance. But take a minute and put these last two thoughts together: how am I supposed to repent, now that my flesh is puffed up?

I think, maybe there are two paths I can take at this point: pray that you pray for my flesh, or try to think of a scripture that might help. Maybe I need both. Sometimes I get in a situation like this, because the world starts to dictate to me, what it needs to hear. I just wish I had more strength. Maybe I need to pray for something from the Holy Spirit. That's why I'm writing - that feels more like why I am writing.

The difference of the "dry" is that you really only make progress, if you repent of ever having been tempted. Like it's not just one sin here or there, it is every sin! I can feel myself start to relax as I write this. If you think you can make it by, just repenting for this or that thing, good for you - I'm just being honest about what I am going through right now. I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me.

God bless.

 

[Gottservant]

After writing this, I started to get the feeling, that my contrition wasn't strong enough.

I needed to acknowledge that I am always going to need the Cross and the Grace of God that comes with it.

I'm trusting God for all of it, not just what pops up in my head, here or there!

 

[GTW27]

Restoration for you and all of us is always just a prayer away, for The Lord is faithful. Pay not attention to the flesh but look at what was already done for you on The Cross.

 

[Wynona]

Praying

 

[Gottservant]

The next step for me, has been letting the Lord in to my struggles. The idea that I needed to work out how to respond on my own, was holding me up! Praise Jesus!

 

[JLB]

Hi there,

I know I need the Holy Spirit. Let me make that clear. What I am writing about, is that I think allowing the Holy Spirit to work, takes more than a mental acknowledgement that there is sin, righteousness and judgment. The flesh is what concerns me now.

Jesus said the times He was in, were the "green" times and that there would be "dry" (from memory, the Gospels). The struggle I have is that I have given in to the flesh so many times, that I am no longer in the 'green times' and I am not sure how that changes the will of God. Naturally, He will still require repentance. But take a minute and put these last two thoughts together: how am I supposed to repent, now that my flesh is puffed up?

I think, maybe there are two paths I can take at this point: pray that you pray for my flesh, or try to think of a scripture that might help. Maybe I need both. Sometimes I get in a situation like this, because the world starts to dictate to me, what it needs to hear. I just wish I had more strength. Maybe I need to pray for something from the Holy Spirit. That's why I'm writing - that feels more like why I am writing.

The difference of the "dry" is that you really only make progress, if you repent of ever having been tempted. Like it's not just one sin here or there, it is every sin! I can feel myself start to relax as I write this. If you think you can make it by, just repenting for this or that thing, good for you - I'm just being honest about what I am going through right now. I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me.

God bless.

‘You need the baptism with the Holy Spirit and you need deliverance.

 

[LoveYeshua]

Hi there,

I know I need the Holy Spirit. Let me make that clear. What I am writing about, is that I think allowing the Holy Spirit to work, takes more than a mental acknowledgement that there is sin, righteousness and judgment. The flesh is what concerns me now.

Jesus said the times He was in, were the "green" times and that there would be "dry" (from memory, the Gospels). The struggle I have is that I have given in to the flesh so many times, that I am no longer in the 'green times' and I am not sure how that changes the will of God. Naturally, He will still require repentance. But take a minute and put these last two thoughts together: how am I supposed to repent, now that my flesh is puffed up?

I think, maybe there are two paths I can take at this point: pray that you pray for my flesh, or try to think of a scripture that might help. Maybe I need both. Sometimes I get in a situation like this, because the world starts to dictate to me, what it needs to hear. I just wish I had more strength. Maybe I need to pray for something from the Holy Spirit. That's why I'm writing - that feels more like why I am writing.

The difference of the "dry" is that you really only make progress, if you repent of ever having been tempted. Like it's not just one sin here or there, it is every sin! I can feel myself start to relax as I write this. If you think you can make it by, just repenting for this or that thing, good for you - I'm just being honest about what I am going through right now. I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me.

God bless.

It is normal to have this struggle, we probably all do or did at some time because the flesh pulls one way, and the spirit pulls the other. But the Scriptures teach that we do not have to bow to the flesh. God calls us to rule over it, and He gives strength to do it. When Cain was tempted, God told him, “Sin lies at the door… but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). This shows from the very beginning that God believes we can overcome with His help.

Jesus also teaches us to trust Him in this battle. He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). When the heart is tired from fighting temptations, the first step is always to go to Him. He gives peace, He gives clarity, and He gives strength to stand again.

Jesus also said, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). This means control comes from prayer, staying awake spiritually, and turning to God the moment a temptation rises. You are not expected to fight alone. In prayer, God empowers the heart.

He also promised, “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). That includes victory over desires that feel too strong, thoughts that seem too loud, and habits that feel too old to break. Nothing is impossible with Him. Jesus teaches perseverance. He said, “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). This tells us that the battle is real but winnable. We fall, we get up, we learn, we grow. Each day of choosing God over sin builds a stronger heart.

Take courage. The fact that you are struggling means you are alive spiritually and fighting the right direction. Trust Jesus, pray often, and take each step with Him. He will not fail you. And remember His promise, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34).

Blessings

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

Hi there,

I know I need the Holy Spirit. Let me make that clear. What I am writing about, is that I think allowing the Holy Spirit to work, takes more than a mental acknowledgement that there is sin, righteousness and judgment. The flesh is what concerns me now.

Jesus said the times He was in, were the "green" times and that there would be "dry" (from memory, the Gospels). The struggle I have is that I have given in to the flesh so many times, that I am no longer in the 'green times' and I am not sure how that changes the will of God. Naturally, He will still require repentance. But take a minute and put these last two thoughts together: how am I supposed to repent, now that my flesh is puffed up?

I think, maybe there are two paths I can take at this point: pray that you pray for my flesh, or try to think of a scripture that might help. Maybe I need both. Sometimes I get in a situation like this, because the world starts to dictate to me, what it needs to hear. I just wish I had more strength. Maybe I need to pray for something from the Holy Spirit. That's why I'm writing - that feels more like why I am writing.

The difference of the "dry" is that you really only make progress, if you repent of ever having been tempted. Like it's not just one sin here or there, it is every sin! I can feel myself start to relax as I write this. If you think you can make it by, just repenting for this or that thing, good for you - I'm just being honest about what I am going through right now. I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me.

God bless.

The spirit wars against the flesh and vice versa. We all have struggles. Many compromise, give the Lord part of their lives and insist they need other parts - " I'll surrender this and that Lord ... but I need this ... I'm not hurting anyone ... " And they try to justify their sin. Some don't even look in the mirror. But you are! You are aware of your sin, weaknesses and your spirit is fighting back. That is the first step, recognizing your sin. You are praying and asking others to pray for you. Go to church and ask the elders to lay hands on you and pray for strength to say no to these temptations when they present themselves. Dismiss them. It is like an obese person knows that his bad eating habits are bad, but he is not willing to say no to his cravings. These are the things we must mortifying, kill, say no to. That obese person will never lose weight unless he fights against and stops those urges,m and changes his diet.

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. GAL. 5:16-24

So according to the list of the acts of the flesh above, are you failing in those areas? We all have temporary moments of weakness when we may be selfish, puffed up with pride, minor infractions and we suffer a lapse, we backslide; but then we quickly get back on track, correct ourselves.
HOWEVER, those who continue to practice and remain slaves to anything on that list are in trouble.

The fruit of the Spirit is what God is growing in us and it takes a lifetime. Jesus is the AUTHOR of our faith so it will be done on time!

 

[Gottservant]

I liked what you said at first "The spirit wars against the flesh and vice versa." - I've never had a sense that the flesh "fights back", but it does!

 

[Windmill Charge]

my contrition wasn't strong enough.

Nowhere does the bible try to quantify one contrition or ones repentance.
1John1: 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
That is what the bible says, if you are sorry say so to God, if you find old sins keep resurfacing with questions about your contrition.
Then trust in Gods faithfulness and spend some time praising God for his unlimited grace, love and mercy that he lavished upon you in your salvation.