Being "fleshly" is so easy because it is natural. God gave us our natural instincts, natural desires, but God never intended those natural tendencies (including our feelings) to rule our lives. Sin takes a persons flesh and uses it for it's evil purposes. God knows that! When one is baptized into Christ, into His death (Rom. 6), a new person emerges, while the old person is buired and done away with (Rom. 6:6-7). God has no need for our old, sinful ways and thinking. There must be a cleansing and new power involved. He provides that newness in and through Jesus Christ. If one being baptized into Christ does not realize what happened, there will be little changes in their lives.
As a result of being raised with Jesus, there was given a new power to work within, called the Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2). The question that remains is this: will we in Christ go with this new power? That depends on where we set our minds. If we set our minds on our flesh, our natural thinking, feelings and reactions that sin used us to operate in, then death will be the result (Rom. 8:5). (Death is a separation from God!) God is not trying to take away our feelings but He does not want our feelings to be the ruling force in our lives. Feelings are fine, unless we use them to lead our lives, which so many do. In dealing with the deeds of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21), the majority arise out of feelings!
We now have a choice to make: we can sow to our flesh or sow to the Spirit of life (Gal. 6:7-8). Which ever side we sow to, that will be what emerges in our lives. If we allow our flesh to dominate us, our thinking, our feelings and actions, we will become corrupted and the cleansing power of Jesus will be null and void. The word "corrupted" literally means "to break into pieces". In other words, little by little we are being broken down, piece by piece taken back into sin. It happens a little here and a little there. Let me use one example by using outbursts of anger (a deed of the flesh Gal. 5:20). When your anger gets stirred, you have a choice to make: (1) You can either give in and allow that anger to lead you into outlandish behavior, while sin uses your mouth and actions for it's purpose (that is what is meant by sowing) or (2) You can yield to God, not acting on that anger and allow His power to lead you into His life to do the right and proper thing. One will make you stronger, the other will corrupt you, leading you into death. It all depends on your mind set. One is a fleshly reaction while the other is a spiritual reaction. Does that mean you won't feel the anger? Sure you will! God does not take away our feelings. We need to know what to do with them so because of God and yielding to Him, you will not let that anger be your guide, determining your actions! The more one can yield to God, submitting themselves under His guidance when things are tough, the easier it becomes to overcome in each case. You begin growing more into the likeness of Christ. That's spiritual growth. The fruit of yielding is love, joy, peace and the likeness (Gal. 5:22-23) because you allow your mind and life to be led another direction. You now are reaping the fruit of the Spirit. Your life will begin to settle down and see things more clearly. No games or worldly ways to overcome our anger. No counting to ten, no poping a rubber band on your wrist or going out and kicking a can (or any other object) to get it out of your system to feel better. No attending an anger management class. A simple submitting and giving yourself over to God when you are stirred toward the flesh allowing His power, His life to have a say so. What this means is we have the power available to overcome. God knows we need it and He provides all the necessary help. If the strength and power of God makes no more difference than what we can do ourselves, then why do we need Him? More tomorrow!
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