Conquering the Flesh: Embracing God's Justification

Devotional

Day 1: Internal Accountability Over External Blame

Our spiritual journey often misplaces blame on external forces like the devil, yet our flesh, with its selfish desires, is an equally formidable adversary. Recognizing this shifts our focus from blaming external entities to taking internal accountability. The flesh, much like the devil, opposes God and seeks to lead us astray. This understanding urges us to confront and crucify our fleshly desires daily, acknowledging that while the devil has been defeated by Christ, our flesh remains an ongoing battle. By doing so, we embrace a path of spiritual growth that is rooted in personal responsibility and transformation. [13:37]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: What is one fleshly desire you struggle with, and how can you take a step today to confront and crucify it?

Day 2: Embracing God's Justification

Accusation and condemnation are spiritual attacks that aim to distance us from God's truth. These attacks can come from both the devil and our flesh, making us feel unworthy and distant from God. However, Romans 8:33 reminds us that God is the one who justifies, not condemns. This justification is not just forgiveness; it is a declaration of righteousness, likening us to Jesus, the spotless Lamb. Embracing this truth requires deep faith, as it defies human logic and feelings of unworthiness. By accepting God's justification, we can overcome the lies of accusation and condemnation, standing firm in our identity as righteous in Christ. [20:15]

Zechariah 3:1-4 (ESV): "Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, 'The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?' Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, 'Remove the filthy garments from him.' And to him he said, 'Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.'"

Reflection: In what ways do you feel accused or condemned in your spiritual life, and how can you remind yourself of God's justification today?

Day 3: Anchoring in God's Unchanging Word

The flesh is a liar, often distorting God's truths. In life's storms, we must bind ourselves to God's unchanging Word. Five foundational truths can anchor us: God is our loving Father, God is good, God works all things for our good, God will never give us more than we can handle, and today, we can be like Jesus. These truths, when deeply rooted, empower us to resist the lies of the flesh and the devil. By holding onto these truths, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and faith, knowing that God's Word is a steadfast foundation. [32:19]

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

Reflection: Which of the five foundational truths do you struggle to believe the most, and how can you meditate on God's Word to strengthen your faith in this area today?

Day 4: Persistence in Christlikeness

Living like Jesus is not about achieving perfection but about persistence. Each day offers the opportunity to renew our commitment to Christlikeness, even when we fall. The path to victory lies in recognizing our need for God's justification and consistently returning to Him, who empowers us to live in His likeness. This journey is not about maintaining a flawless record but about continually seeking God's presence and guidance. By focusing on persistence rather than perfection, we can grow in our spiritual walk and become more like Jesus each day. [35:25]

Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to persist in Christlikeness, and what practical steps can you take today to renew your commitment?

Day 5: Returning to God for Empowerment

The journey of faith is about consistently returning to God, who justifies the ungodly and empowers us to live in His likeness. This empowerment is not about our strength but about relying on God's grace and truth. By recognizing our need for God's justification, we can live victoriously, knowing that He is the source of our strength and transformation. This daily return to God is a reminder that we are not alone in our spiritual journey, and that His power is made perfect in our weakness. [35:25]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: How can you rely on God's empowerment in a specific area of weakness today, and what steps can you take to return to Him for strength and guidance?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound truth about the real enemy we face in our spiritual journey. Often, we attribute our struggles to the devil, but we must recognize that our flesh, our selfish will, is equally our adversary. The flesh, much like the devil, opposes God and seeks to lead us astray. It's crucial to understand that while the devil has been defeated by Christ, our flesh remains an ongoing battle that requires daily crucifixion. This understanding shifts our focus from external blame to internal accountability, urging us to confront and crucify our fleshly desires.

The flesh's tactics are akin to those of the devil, including accusation and condemnation. These are not mere feelings but spiritual attacks that aim to distance us from God's truth. Romans 8:33 and Romans 4:5 remind us that God is the one who justifies, not condemns. This justification is not just forgiveness; it is a declaration of righteousness, likening us to Jesus, the spotless Lamb. Embracing this truth requires deep faith, as it defies human logic and feelings of unworthiness.

Moreover, the flesh is a liar, often distorting God's truths. We must bind ourselves to the unchanging Word of God, especially during life's storms. Five foundational truths can anchor us: God is our loving Father, God is good, God works all things for our good, God will never give us more than we can handle, and today, we can be like Jesus. These truths, when deeply rooted, empower us to resist the lies of the flesh and the devil.

Living like Jesus is not about perfection but about persistence. Each day, we have the opportunity to renew our commitment to Christlikeness, even when we fall. The path to victory lies in recognizing our need for God's justification and continually binding ourselves to His truth. This journey is not about achieving a flawless record but about consistently returning to God, who justifies the ungodly and empowers us to live in His likeness.

Key Takeaways

1. The Real Enemy: Our flesh, much like the devil, is an adversary that opposes God. Recognizing this shifts our focus from external blame to internal accountability, urging us to confront and crucify our fleshly desires. [13:37]
2. Accusation and Condemnation: These are spiritual attacks from both the devil and our flesh, aiming to distance us from God's truth. Embracing God's justification, as highlighted in Romans 8:33, is crucial to overcoming these attacks. [20:15]
3. God's Justification: God's justification is not mere forgiveness but a declaration of righteousness, likening us to Jesus. This truth requires deep faith, as it defies human logic and feelings of unworthiness. [24:24]
4. Binding to God's Truth: In life's storms, we must bind ourselves to God's unchanging Word. Five foundational truths can anchor us: God is our loving Father, God is good, God works all things for our good, God will never give us more than we can handle, and today, we can be like Jesus. [32:19]
5. Living Like Jesus: Each day offers the opportunity to renew our commitment to Christlikeness. The path to victory lies in recognizing our need for God's justification and consistently returning to Him, who empowers us to live in His likeness. [35:25]
** [35:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:37] - Identifying the Real Enemy
[14:57] - The Battle Within
[16:14] - Crucifying the Flesh
[19:30] - Accusation and Condemnation
[21:04] - Embracing Justification
[23:22] - God's Justification of the Ungodly
[24:44] - Faith Over Feelings
[26:39] - The Depth of God's Justification
[27:33] - The Lies of the Flesh
[28:40] - Five Foundational Truths
[30:52] - Binding to God's Word
[33:02] - Living Like Jesus
[35:25] - Renewing Our Commitment
[36:29] - Overcoming Accusation and Condemnation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:33-34
- Romans 4:5
- Matthew 6:9

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Observation Questions:

According to Romans 8:33-34, who is responsible for justifying us, and what does this imply about accusations and condemnation? [21:37]
In the sermon, the pastor mentions that the flesh is a liar and distorts God's truths. What are some examples of these lies, and how do they compare to the devil's tactics? [27:33]
How does the pastor describe the relationship between the devil and our flesh in terms of being adversaries? [13:37]
What are the five foundational truths mentioned in the sermon that can help us resist the lies of the flesh and the devil? [28:40]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does understanding that God justifies the ungodly, as mentioned in Romans 4:5, challenge our feelings of unworthiness and condemnation? [23:22]
The sermon emphasizes the need to crucify the flesh daily. What does this process look like practically, and why is it considered more challenging than resisting the devil? [16:14]
The pastor talks about binding ourselves to God's Word during life's storms. How can this practice help us maintain our faith and resist the lies of the flesh? [32:19]
In what ways does the pastor suggest that living like Jesus is about persistence rather than perfection? How does this perspective affect our daily walk with Christ? [35:25]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent situation where you felt accused or condemned. How can the truth of God's justification help you respond differently next time? [20:15]
Identify a specific lie that your flesh often tells you. What steps can you take to counteract this lie with one of the five foundational truths mentioned in the sermon? [28:40]
The pastor encourages us to renew our commitment to Christlikeness daily. What practical steps can you take each morning to remind yourself of this commitment? [35:25]
Consider a time when you blamed external factors for your struggles. How can shifting your focus to internal accountability change your approach to these challenges? [13:37]
The sermon highlights the importance of crucifying the flesh. What is one specific area of your life where you need to practice this, and how will you go about it? [16:14]
How can you incorporate the practice of binding yourself to God's Word into your daily routine, especially during difficult times? [32:19]
The pastor mentions that today we can be like Jesus. What is one specific way you can strive to be more like Jesus in your interactions with others this week? [33:02]

Sermon Clips

The next time you think the enemy is out to get me, don't think about the devil, think about his twin and if it's a boy think about his twin brother and if it's a girl think about is his twin sister and he's got the flesh and it's called your flesh. [00:13:37]

The flesh must be crushed and crucified. We've talked at length about that, but I must see him as my enemy. Sisters, you must see her as the enemy. The enemy is out to get you. The enemy is out to get you. Change your way of thinking about who the enemy is. [00:15:43]

Accusation and condemnation. He accuses to condemn. I'm not talking just about my flesh. You know the verses about the devil who does that. He's accused of the Brethren. Revelation 12:10. We may have read that earlier this week. He accuses and he seeks to condemn, not convict. [00:19:39]

Romans chapter 8 verse 33: Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is not the one condemning you. In verse 34 is one. He's not that the devil is bringing the charge. God is the one doing what? He's justifying. [00:21:04]

Romans chapter 4 verse 5: But to the one who doesn't work but believes in this God, you know God has many titles. God the healer, God our righteousness, and many titles, but this is one of my favorite titles about God: believes in him who justifies the ungodly. [00:22:44]

The word justification is massive. To justify is to say you're totally righteous. Jesus was the totally righteous Lamb of God that took away the sins of the earth. And so when God says he justifies you, he's not saying he's forgiving you. It's much more than that. [00:24:24]

God works all things together for what? God works all things for me to be like Jesus. That's Romans 8:28-29. You know these verses. I think God works all things for good, and then he tells me what good is. He predestined me to become conformed to the image of Jesus. [00:30:52]

God will never, never, never give me something that I cannot handle. Never. Impossible. So I must eliminate from my vocabulary, "I just can't handle it." Impossible. Purely possible according to my logic and my feelings and my sight. Completely impossible by God's word. [00:31:10]

The picture I have is of a huge storm coming. I don't have it's a cyclone or whatever it is. I don't want the right words. Our hurricane cycling, whatever, and though one thing that's gonna stand still is this huge tree that is what stood any kind of thing. [00:31:43]

Today I can be like Jesus. This is a massive one. Today, do you believe that? I woke up this morning and I told myself that, not just as a mantra. I told myself that in response to a temptation that came at me and a temptation to settle for less than being like Jesus. [00:32:19]

Dear brothers, dear sisters, I have to find a way not to make this a mantra, but I, we have to drill deep into these and say, "Lord, somehow, Lord, wake me up morning by morning to listen to this truth: today I can be like Jesus." [00:35:25]

And if I fall, I know the way to get back up, and then I say, "Lord, I want to be like you." And when I fall is when I really need to go back to that other thing where the devil and the flesh, my enemy, tried to accuse me and condemn me. [00:36:29]

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Conquering the Flesh: Embracing God's Justification

Devotional

Day 1: Internal Accountability Over External Blame

Day 2: Embracing God's Justification

Day 3: Anchoring in God's Unchanging Word

Day 4: Persistence in Christlikeness

Day 5: Returning to God for Empowerment

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Conquering the Flesh: Embracing God's Justification

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