DON T INDULGE THE OLD NATURE

Transcription

1 DON TINDULGETHEOLDNATURE 5 13 You were called for freedom, brothers, only do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the sinful nature [to express itself]; rather, serve one another with love 14 forthewholelawisfulfilledinonecommandment,[namely]this, Youshall loveyourneighborasyourself. 15 Butifyoubiteanddevoureachother,watchout,or youwillbeconsumedbyoneanother. 16 NowItellyou,walkbytheSpirit,andyouwill notfulfillthelustofthesinfulnature. 17 Thesinfulnaturelustsforwhatiscontraryto thespirit,andthespiritdesireswhatiscontrarytothesinfulnature,fortheyarein conflictwithoneanother;consequently,youcannotdothethingsyoudesire. 18 Butif youareledbythespirit,youarenotunderlaw. 19 Nowtheworksofthesinfulnature arewellknown,[suchas]:sexualimmorality,moralimpurity,debauchery, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatreds, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy,drunkenness,orgies,andothersuchthings.iwarnyou[again],justas I [previously] warned you, that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,integrity, 23 meekness,self control.againstsuchthings[asthese]thereisno law. 24 NowthosewhobelongtoChristhavecrucifiedthesinfulnaturealongwithits passionsandlusts.(gal.5:13 24) Note:Throughoutthispassagethephrasetranslated, thesinfulnature, isliterally, theflesh (sarx). ThecontrastisbetweentheSpirit,(theHolySpiritreproducingthecharacterofGodintheChristian and causing him to live in accordance with the life of the kingdom of God,) and the flesh, (representingthelifestyleanddesiresofthispresentworldthatareunderthedominionofsinand areatenmityagainstgod.) Introduction MargaretZelkwasaveryfascinatingwoman.Shewasbornin1876atLeeuwarden in the Netherlands. She married an officer of the Dutch colonial army and accompaniedhimtothedutcheastindies. While her husband was stationed in the East Indies, Margaret learned the exotic orientaldancesofthatstrangeandmysteriousplace.eventually,margaretdivorced herhusband,sailedbacktoeurope,andwiththestagenameofmatahari,became famousasanexoticdancer. When World War I broke out, Margaret became a secret agent for the German government.shewaseventuallycaughtandbroughttotrial.injulyof1917shewas convictedofbeingaspyandsentencedtodeath.hersentencewascarriedoutthree monthslater.(encyclopediabritannica,vol.14,p.1050) Now suppose that at her trial, this glamorous and exotic woman had claimed freedomofspeechasherdefense:inpassingontothegermansthemilitarysecrets of the Allies she was merely exercising her freedom of speech. If she had offered such a defense the courts would have informed her that such was an intolerable

2 misuse and abuse of her freedom. She may not use her freedom to assist the enemiesofhernationintheireffortstoconquerherhomelandanddestroythevery culturethathasgivenherherfreedom.no.aidingandabettingtheenemy,working inoppositiontoone shomeland,isnotanacceptableuseofone sfreedom. TheApostlePaulisaddressingasimilartypeofmisuseofspiritualfreedomherein Galatians5:13 24, brothers donotusethisfreedomasanopportunityforthesinful naturetoexpressitself. Inotherwords,donotusethisfreedomtoindulgethesinful nature.literally,hewrites, donotallowthefreedomtobecomeastrongholdforthe oldsinfulnature abaseofoperationsfromwhichitcanassaultanddrivebackthe lifeofgodliness. WeasChristiansmustneverviewourspiritualfreedomasalicensethatgivesthe oldnaturepermissiontofulfillitssinfuldesires.becausetheoldsinfulnatureisin oppositiontothelifeofgod,wemaynotindulgethatoldnature. I.Don tindulgetheoldnature, BecauseItisContrarytotheHolySpirit(5:19 23,13 15) Inverses15 19Paulpresentsapartiallistof theworksofthesinfulnature; that istosay,theactionsandattitudesnaturallyproducedbymenintheirstateofsin. Note Matthew 15:19 20a, where the Lord Jesus addresses the source of sinful conduct,tracingitbacktotheheartofunregeneratedman: outoftheheartcome evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man unclean. Let us consider more closely those attitudesandactionstheapostlepaulidentifiesas theworksofthesinfulnature. Sexual immorality included here are all types of sexual relationships outside thebondsofmarriage.thiswashardlyconsideredaviceinthepaganworld,but allsuchimmoralactivityisstronglyreprovedbythewordofgod,noteephesians 5:3 7, Butfornication,indeed,allmoralimpurity,orcovetousness,shouldnotevenbe mentioned among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Nor [should there be any] indecentbehaviororfoolishtalkorvulgarity,suchthingsarenotappropriate; butrather,[lettherebe]thegivingofthanks. 5 Ofthisyoucanbecertain,no immoralorimpurepersonnoranygreedyman whoisanidolater hasany inheritanceinthekingdomofchristandofgod. 6 Letnoonedeceiveyouwith emptywords,forbecauseofthesethingsthewrathofgodcomesuponthesons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be a participant with them in their sins. (Eph.5:3 7) Moral impurity any form of moral uncleanness or impurity; unnatural and perverted forms of sexual conduct. Scripture indicates that when immorality becomes a way of life it is accompanied by a degeneration into perversity, note Jude 7, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to

3 sexual immorality and perversion. When he speaks of perversion, from its connection with Sodom and Gomorrah, it is clear that Jude is referring to homosexuality. Debauchery wantonness; the casting off of all moral restraints; the abandonmentandlossofmoralself control,note1peter4:3 4, YouhavespentenoughtimeinthepastdoingwhattheGentileschoosetodo: living for debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. 4 [Engaged]insuch[alifestyle],theythinkthatitisstrangeforyounot toplungewiththemintothesamefloodofdissoluteliving.(1pet.4:3 4) Idolatry theworshipoffalsegodsandtheimagesusedtorepresentsuchgods. Theterm idolatry doesnotoccurinpaganliteraturebecausetheydonotmakea distinction between the true God and the false gods of the world. In contrast to theviewoftheworld,noteromans1:25, TheyexchangedthetruthofGodfora lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator who is foreverpraised.amen. In1Corinthians10:20theApostlePaulinformsusofthe spiritual powers present within the idolatries of the world: the sacrifices of the Gentiles are being offered to demons, not to God; and I do not want you to have communionwithdemons. Witchcraft tappingintotheunholysupernatural(theoccult,)usuallywiththe maliciousintentofcursingone senemiesorseekingtoknowthefutureforone s ownpersonalbenefit. Hatreds all forms and varieties of hatred and malice, note 1 John 3:11 12a, This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 DonotbelikeCain,whobelongedtotheeviloneandmurderedhisbrother. Discord contention,antagonism;eitherintheformofburningcoalsconcealed underabedofsuperficialcongeniality,orasablazingfireofopenhostility. Jealousy anintenseattitudeofillwilldirectedagainstsomeonenotbecauseof any wrong they have done, but simply because of who they are or what they possess. Fits of rage uncontrolled outbursts of anger; volcanic explosions of hatred spewingoutofthedepthsoftheheart. Selfishambition self seeking,self ambition;thetotalcommitmentofone sself toone sownpersonalinterestsandambitions,withoutregardforone sneighbor andhiswell being;thewillingnesstodoanything,touseanyone,toachieveone s owngoalsandgetone sownway.

4 Dissensions disunity; often perpetrated by means of gossip or slander and stemming from such motives as vengeance, jealousy, self ambition or maliciousness. Consider the LORD s attitude toward all such sinful impulses and activities, TherearesixthingsthatJehovahhates;indeed,seventhingsthataredetestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heartthatdeviseswickedschemes,feetthatareswiftinrunningtomischief, 19 a false witness who utters lies, and a man who sows discord among brothers. (Prov.6:16 19) Factions groups that are antagonistic towards each other and isolated from oneanother;manytimesfactionsbecometheformalresultofadivisivespirit. Envy all sinful and life dominating desires to possess the things God has grantedtosomeoneelseandtowhichwehavenoright. Drunkenness the failure to exercise self control and, consequently, allowing one s self to come under the control of intoxicating drink and its accompanying evils:immorality,vulgarity,profanity,violence,blasphemy,andhostility. Orgies carousings;wildandunrestrainedpartyingthathasnorespectforthe boundaries o0f decency and morality; the search for immoral encounters, oftentimesstimulatedbyintoxication. Incontrastto theworksofthesinfulnature, inverses22 23theapostlepresents thefruitofthespirit. Thatistosay,theattitudesandattributesproducedbythe HolySpiritasHeworksinthelifeoftheChristian.Letusnowgivemorecareful considertothoseholyandgod pleasingattributes. Love thegivingofone sselfforanother,regardlessofpersonalcost,motivated by goodwill and a genuine concern for the well being of the other person, note Ephesians5:1 2a, becomeimitatorsofgod,asbelovedchildren, 2 andwalkinlove, justaschristalsolovedusandgavehimselfupforus. Joy theexperienceofbeingintheblessedpresenceofgod;notmeetinggodas Judge, but knowing Him as Savior, Father, and Friend; and having one s life permeated by this sense of blessing, note Psalm 21:1,3,6, which speaks of the blessingenjoyedbychrist,andthatheshareswithallthosewhobelongtohim: OJehovah,thekingrejoicesinyourstrength;andinyoursalvation,howgreatly herejoices 3 Youwelcomehimwithrichblessings,andplaceacrownofpure goldonhishead 6 Youhavemadehimmostblessedforever,youmakehim gladwithjoyinyourpresence.(psl.21:1,3,6)

5 Peace resting in the protective presence of God; possessing the assurance of divine pardon and acquittal on the Judgment Day; possessing the assurance of God s sustaining, delivering presence throughout this life, and having one s life governedbythisblessedrelationshipwithgod. Patience the ability to endure under trial and the ability to maintain a conciliatoryspiritinthefaceofahostilespirit. Kindness treatingotherswithgentleness,compassion,tenderness,anddignity, noteephesians4:31 32, Getridofallbitternessandrageandangerandclamorandslander,alongwith allmalice. 32 Bekindtooneanother,tenderhearted,forgivingeachotherjustas GodbyChristforgaveyou.(Eph.4:31 32) Goodness exhibiting the qualities of honesty, fairness, purity, and wholesomenessinone spersonallifeandespeciallyinone sdealingswithothers. Consider the Apostle Paul s testimony of how he conducted himself while ministering to the Thessalonians, You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteousandblamelesswewereamongyouwhobelieved (1Thess.2:10.) Integrity dependability,honestyandcommitmenttoourwordinourdealings withothers,faithfulnesstoourvows. Meekness a humble, teachable, cooperative spirit; as opposed to a proud, defiant,self willedspirit,notejames3:17, thewisdomthatcomesfromheavenis firstofallpure;thenpeace loving,considerate,submissive,fullofmercyandgood fruit,impartialandsincere. Self control the ability to bring one s passions and conduct under the authority and the will of God, as opposed to unleashing them for sinful expression. These two distinct lists of attitudes, attributes, and conduct represent two distinctorientationsofheartandlifethataremutuallyexclusiveandcontraryto oneanother:thelifeofsinfulnessandthelifeofgodliness.thesetwodistinctlists of attitudes, attributes, and conduct are derived from two distinct origins: the sinfulhumanheartandnatureontheonehand,andtheholyspiritofgodonthe other,andtheyfinallyresultintwodistinctoutcomes.concerning theworksof thesinfulnature, theapostlepaulwrites, Iwarnyou[again],justasI[previously] warned you, that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (vs.21b.)butwithregardto thefruitofthespirit, hewrites, Againstsuch things[asthese]thereisnolaw (vs.23b.)indeed,thesethingsarethefulfillment ofthelaw.

6 Letusnotindulgetheoldsinfulnature,becauseitiscompletelycontrarytothe HolySpiritandthelifeofGod. II.Don tindulgetheoldnature, BecauseIthasbeenCrucified(5:24) Inverse24theapostleannouncesthevictoryoverthesinfulnature: thosewho belongtochristhavecrucifiedthesinfulnaturealongwithitspassionsandlusts. Victoryispresentedhereasanaccomplishedfact:thesinfulnaturewascrucified (past tense.) It is a victory that is comprehensive and total: the sinful nature, together with its passions and lusts, has been crucified. It is victory that was securedinonemomentintime:thesinfulnaturewascrucified(thegreekaorist tenseoftheverb, tocrucify, indicatesaneventthathappenedinamomentof history; this was not a process that was finally accomplished over a period of time.)itisvictorythatwaswonbychristatthecrossofcalvary.whenthelord Jesus cried out, It is finished (Jn. 19:30,) the victory over the devil, the world andthefleshwaswonforever.itisvictorythatbelongstothechristianbecause ofhisrelationshiptothelordjesuschrist:whenoneputshisfaithinjesushe becomesspirituallyunitedtochrist,becomingjoinedtochristinhisdeathand resurrection,notegalatians2:20, IhavebeencrucifiedwithChrist:itisnolonger Iwholive,butChristlivinginme;andthelifeInowliveinthefleshIlivebyfaithin thesonofgodwholovedmeandgavehimselfforme. ThetruthofthisversemustcauseusasChristians,asbelieversintheLordJesus Christ, to view our relationship to our old sinful nature in a radically new and differentway.wemustnolongerviewourselvesasbeingahelplessvictimofthe sinfulnaturewhomustinevitablyyieldtoitsdemands.wemustrecognizethat wenowshareinthevictoryofthelordjesusthathehaswonoverthesinful nature. Bywayofillustration:TothemanwhoisoutsideofChristandhasnopartin Christ svictorywonatcalvary,thesinfulnaturemaybeviewedasabig grizzly bear thatpouncesuponhim,overwhelminghimandtowhomhewillinglyand culpablyyields.buttothechristian,theonewhobelongstochristandsharesin Hisvictory,thesinfulnaturemaybeviewedashavingbecomeabig grizzlybear rug. Consequently,theChristianmustnotcrawlunderthat rug andcryoutin self excusing despair that he is a helpless victim who cannot help but be dominatedbythebig grizzlybear oftheoldsinfulnature.now,wheneverthe big grizzly bear of the old sinful nature attacks him, the Christian must rememberthevictorywonbychristandtrusthimtoapplythatvictoryinthis presentconflictwiththesinfulnature,yieldinghimselftotheholyspirit. Letusnotindulgetheoldnature,because,byvirtueofourrelationshiptoJesus Christ,ouroldnaturehasbeencrucified.

7 III.Don tindulgetheoldnature, Rather,CombatItbytheHolySpirit(5:16 18) According to verse 13, the sinful nature desires to establish itself in the Christian s life; the apostle writes, do not allow this freedom to become an opportunity [literally, a stronghold] for the sinful nature i.e.; a base of operationsfromwhichitcanassaultanddrivebackthelifeofgodliness. The old sinful nature wickedly seeks to take Christian freedom and pervert it intoabaseofoperationsfromwhichtocarryoutitsevilactivities.itdoessoby seeking to convince us that freedom from the just demand of the law(namely, punishment for our sins) also includes freedom from the righteous demand of the law (namely, a life that complies with God s righteousness.) But as a correctivetothisperversecontention,noteromans8:3b 4, GodsenthisownSoninthelikenessofsinfulmantobeasinoffering.Andsohe condemnedsininsinfulman, 4 inorderthattherighteousrequirementsofthe lawmightbefullymetinus,whodonotliveaccordingtothesinfulnaturebut accordingtothespirit.(rom.8:3b 4) Accordingtoverse16thesinfulnaturedesirestofulfillitslustintheChristian s life;paulexhortsusto walkbythespirit, sothatwe willnotfulfillthelustof thesinfulnature. Theoldsinfulnaturedesirestohaveitsimpulsesandpassions indulgedandhavethosesinfulactionsbecomehabitualpracticesthatforminto anungodlylifestylethatwilleventuallymeetitsjustrewardofpunishment.this is the insight into the intentions of the sinful nature provided by the Apostle James: each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then,afterdesirehasconceived,itgivesbirthtosin;andsin,whenit isfull grown,givesbirthtodeath.(jas.1:14 15) Accordingtoverse17,thesinfulnaturedesiresto sabotage God swillforthe Christian slife: ThesinfulnaturelustsforwhatiscontrarytotheSpirit,andtheSpiritdesires whatiscontrarytothesinfulnature,fortheyareinconflictwithoneanother; consequently,youcannotdothethingsyoudesire.(gal.5:17) ThesinfulnatureishostileagainsttheSpiritofGodandallHedesirestodoin thechristian slife: thesinfulnaturelustsforwhatiscontrarytothespirit. That oldnaturestandsinoppositiontoallthatthespiritofgodisanddoes;thetwo aremutuallyexclusiveintheirwholeorientation:itisthemutualantagonismof holinessandsinfulness(vs.17b.)theoldnaturedesirestopreventthechristian fromdoingthewillofgod(vs.17c.)

8 Accordingtoverse16thewayofvictoryisto walkbythespirit. TheChristian must yield to the Holy Spirit s will and direction. Through the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, the LORD describes the Holy Spirit s guidance in these terms: whenyouturnasidetotherightortotheleft,withyourearsyouwillhearavoice behindyousaying, Thisistheway,walkinit (Isa.30:21.)BythegraceofGod, we must heed the Spirit s call and submit to His guidance. The Christian must relyuponthepoweroftheholyspirittosuccessfullycombatthesinfulnature; as the LORD informs us through the Old Testament prophet Zechariah, Not by might,norbypower,butbymyspirit,declaresjehovahofhosts (Zech.4:6b.)The Apostle Paul gives the following warning and promise: if you live according to thesinfulnature,youmustdie;butifbythespirityouputtodeaththemisdeedsof thebody,youwilllive (Rom.8:13.) Itmayseemstrangethatthesinfulnature which,withregardtothechristian, has been crucified still carries out a campaign against the Christian. But ScriptureteachesthatalthoughweasbelievershavebeencrucifiedwithChrist andhavereceivedanewheartfromgod,nevertheless,theremnantsofourold sinful nature still cling to us in this present life and must be combated by the personandpoweroftheholyspirit.bywayofillustration:whereasformerlywe hada cancerousheart thatspreaditspoisontoeverypartofthebody,nowwe have had a heart transplant, having received a new heart from God. But we muststillcombatthecanceroftheoldsinfulnaturethatresideswithinourbody. Letusnotindulgetheoldnature,onthecontrary,letuscombattheremnantsof thatsinfulnaturebymeansoftheholyspirit. Conclusion BecausetheoldsinfulnatureisinoppositiontothelifeofGod,wemaynotindulge that nature and its desires. On the contrary, we as Christians must rejoice in the victoryofchristandrelyupontheholyspirittoincreasinglyapplythatvictoryto everyaspectofourdailylives.