1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NKJV
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may [i]obtain it.25 And everyone who competes for the prize[j]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Our old sinful nature when in control of our lives is Enmity with the freedom of our New Nature in Yahusha. Our Flesh needs casting away so that we do not cling to sin. We must be uncompromising in dealing with the lusts of the flesh and sin in our lives if we are to run the race in Freedom and to the Glory of God.
What Does Race Mean?
race: H734-אֹרַחʼôrach, o'-rakh; from H732; a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan:—manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop, (by-, high-) way.
Biblical Outline of Usage of H734
way, path
path, road
the path, way, passing of life (fig.)
way of living (fig.)
traveller, wayfarer (meton)
race: G73-ἀγώνagṓn, ag-one'; from G71; properly, a place of assembly (as if led), i.e. (by implication) a contest (held there); figuratively, an effort or anxiety:—conflict, contention, fight, race.
Biblical Outline of Usage of H73
any struggle
Romans 8:5-8
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Enmity-G2189-ἔχθραéchthra, ekh'-thrah; feminine of G2190; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition:—enmity, hatred.
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”
Emnity-H342-אֵיבָהʼêybâh, ay-baw'; from H340; hostility:—enmity, hatred.
When we have enmity toward The Lord God Almighty we hate Him and are Hostile to His Will and His ways. Living in the flesh is Enmity Towards God and Does Not Please Him. However when we lay aside the Flesh and Run in Abba Yah's Freedom, we find rest, peace and are a New Creation. Yet Many People turn away from God still, The Lord God Knows who are His. (See the Post on Why God Doesn't Save Every Soul: An Ezekiel 18 Study)
John 6:63-65
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.64 Butt here are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
What is the Flesh we are suppose to lay aside?
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 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.
Heresies- G139-αἵρεσιςhaíresis, hah'-ee-res-is; from G138; properly, a choice, i.e. (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion:—heresy (which is the Greek word itself), sect.
Definition of Disunion
the termination of union : separation
Emulations-G2205-ζῆλοςzēlos, dzay'-los; from G2204; properly, heat, i.e. (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband (figuratively, of God), or an enemy, malice):—emulation, envy(-ing), fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal
Definition of Emulations
ambition or endeavor to equal or excel others (as in achievement)
ambitious or envious rivalry
Definition of Ardor
sexual excitement
Variances-G2054-ἔριςéris, er'-is; of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling:—contention, debate, strife, variance.
Definition of Variances
the fact or state of being in disagreement
Seditions-G1370-διχοστασίαdichostasía, dee-khos-tas-ee'-ah; from a derivative of G1364 and G4714; disunion, i.e. (figuratively) dissension:—division, sedition
Definition of Sedition
incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority
(See post on Insurrection and Resurrection- One Cannot Exist Without the Other)
Lasciviousness-G766-ἀσέλγειαasélgeia, as-elg'-i-a; from a compound of G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed σελγής selgḗs (of uncertain derivation, but apparently meaning continent); licentiousness (sometimes including other vices):—filthy, lasciviousness, wantonness.
Definition of Wantonness
having no just foundation or provocation : malicious
being without check or limitation:
Revellings-G2970-κῶμοςkōmos, ko'-mos; from G2749; a carousal (as if letting loose):—revelling, rioting.
Definition of Revellings
to take part in a revel : carouse
to take intense pleasure or satisfaction
Definition of Carouse
to drink liquor freely or excessively
engage in dissolute behavior
Romans 7:14-25
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
What is Paul's Description of Conflict between the Law of Sin and the Law of The Lord God?
This is what I wrote down: The Law of God is Spiritual. We are born in sin. When we do Not Do what we want to do, we consent to the Law of God. When we do what we should not do, we consent to the Law of Sin that is within Us all. We do not Always understand our own actions. We desire to do right but we do not always have the ability to carry out or pure intentions according to The Law of God. We don't always do the good we want to do, especially when evil keeps showing up, we give into temptation and thus do what sin wants of us. When we try to do right, Evil shows up knocking. The Law of Sin is within us all and at times our minds hold us captive to sin acting in ways we should not. Sometimes our minds are on God, yet we act out in sin.
Only sustaining Right Relationships (Not Being Unequally Yoked), Living by the power of The Holy Spirit, and Experiencing the Fruits of the Spirit will satisfy you. Life is a repetition process, meaning that the more we Walk In Faith and Not By Sight, the more we become Closer to Abba Yah. As a Reminder, WE Are NOT Perfect which is why Abba Yah says To Repent of All Sins Immediately.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
1John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
How Do You Describe your Struggle with the Flesh?
What I wrote Down: I struggle with guilt and the events of the past. I struggle with letting everything go so that I can fully move forward and heal. Whenever I am triggered by an event or thought that brings up pain, I tend to dwell on the pain longer than I should even though I have given it all to Abba Yah.
What I Learned about my struggle with the flesh:
Living Life Does Not Mean: having sex with everyone, it is not partying or doing whatever we want.
Living life Means: We Follow God's Will, being mindful of those we keep around us and their True Nature. Enjoying this world in Extreme Moderation. Seeing the Beauty in Nature and in people despite their flaws. Being kind and showing Compassion but not continuing to casting our Pearls To Swine.
Love Does Not Mean: Taking others for granted, lying and causing strife, cheating, malice, envy, sex and constant Misunderstanding of others.
Love Does Mean: Gratitude, Peace, Joy, Kindness, Hope, Faithfulness, Compassion, Compromise, Empathy, Agree to Disagree in Peace, Loyalty, Honesty, Understanding
We are Set Free from the Law of Death
Romans 8:1-17
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,[c] he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus[d] from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers,[e] we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[f] of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
How Have We Been Set Free? (Read Romans 8:1-17)
* What I wrote down: The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ has set us free from the Law of Sin and Death. There is no Condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus/ Yahusha. God Sent Jesus to fulfill the Righteous requirement of the law of sin.
2. What is the Evidence of the Control on the Old Nature verse the Control of the New Nature?
*What I wrote down:
Old Nature: The mind is set on things of this world and of the flesh
New Nature: We are to Live according to the Spirit and our Minds are to be set On the Spirit.
Old Nature: Being Carnally minded and hating the ways of God= Death of the Soul
New Nature: Being Spiritually Minded so God Directs our Steps/ Actions = Life and Peace Because of Righteousness
3. What Gives Us the Ability to Over Come the Flesh?
THE SPIRIT OF GOD WITHIN US!!!!
4. What Gives us the Ability to Run With The Spirit?
What I wrote: The Spirit puts to death the deeds of the body when we Repent and ask for Forgiveness. This is done when we are Lead by the Spirit. The Spirit intercedes in our prayers and helps us in our times of weakness according to God's Will.
Matthew 4:1-4
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
When we Do Not Know what the Word of the Lord God Has spoken because we either do not understand the words we read or because we are blind we cannot truly Live by The Word of Yah. He tells us to :
Matthew 7:7-11
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
So many times we do not ask The Lord God Almighty for Help until we have ran out of options that we have come up with on our own. We Must Stop doing this and Turn to Abba Yah first!
When we are faced with our moments of depression, our cycling with bipolar, our anxiety and PTSD, we must utilize All of our tools. Being Mindful of symptoms, remembering to take meds, applying our coping skills and Praying Above all Else Is part of controlling our flesh. Abba Yah wants us to heal and grow and no matter what we have experienced in life, All of Us can chose to run the race the best way we know how and that should Always include Abba Yah by our side. He knows it's a struggle, He knows your pain and strife, Yet All He asks for Is your Faith In Him to be enough to make the changes all of us have control over, and that is our minds and how we chose to act, which is our Morals, Character, Values....that yields righteousness and abundance.
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