Daily Bread – July 1, 2023 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) Romans 8:12-14 – Indeed then, brethren, we are not in debt to the flesh to live after the flesh. For if we live after the flesh, we are about to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are Spirit of God led, these are the sons of God. Led And Instructed By The Spirit The Greek word ‘praxtis’ (deeds) may be translated “function, activities, deeds” implying sustained activity as in Romans 12:4, “…and all these parts have different functions.” Now, Paul uses this word to describe all the possible activities able to take place in the mortal body. He is dealing with every activity, or function, of the body whether it is sin, sickness, or disease. It must be remembered in understanding the message of this text how the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, it belongs to the Lord, it is blameless, it is the place where God is to be glorified, and it is not the residing place of sin (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:13-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; James 2:26). Sin and the consequences of sin – which are sin, sickness, and disease – have no right to have any control over the mortal body (Romans 6:12). In fact, we are instructed to put all of these things to death by the Spirit (Colossians 3:5). There is a war being waged against the saints by all of the demonic powers and their influences (2 Corinthians 10:3-4; 1 Timothy 1:18; 1 Peter 2:11; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 12:4). There is a spirit now working in the children of disobedience – the power of darkness that rules in the realm of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. These fleshly lusts are at war against the saints in an attempt to subjugate us to their demonic realm – and we are commanded to resist steadfast in the faith (Ephesians 2:2-3; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Peter 2:11, 5:8-9). As much as Israel was commanded to put to death anyone who committed high treason against God, even so the New Testament saint is commanded to put to death sin, sickness, and disease. We may view ourselves in some respects as both the temple and the temple guards. The responsibility of the temple guard was to ensure no one brought anything into the temple that would defile or profane the temple. It is essential to remember we can only effectively deal with these things by the Spirit. God has given to us strength and His power, and has ensured we will triumph in every temptation (2 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 6:10, 3:16; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Colossians 1:11). The responsibility of everyone who is born of the Spirit is that they allow the Holy Spirit to lead them. The Spirit of God has come to personally instruct and train everyone who has been made a son of God (John 16:13-15). The responsibility of every child of God is to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us into all truth. He will teach us to do everything pleasing to the Father and will train us to walk in all of the ways of righteousness and holiness – all we must do is yield to Him! Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 7/1/2023
