Category Archives: Choices

Bible, Choices, Flesh, Scripture, Sin, Spiritual

I AM FLESHLY

ROMANS 7:14

“For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into bondage to sin.”

Try as I might, I will never live perfectly. As a human being it is just not possible. I don’t care how much Bible I read or how many hours of the day I pray, I still battle my flesh. That’s why the remainder of Romans 7 really hits home with me. I can relate to Paul’s confession here. Most scholars agree that these verses (14-25) are referring to Paul’s life after Christ, whereas back in verse 7 he was using the past tense of the verb denoting his life before Christ. Hey, if Paul is saying this about himself, I am in good company.

But what a way to start his confession! He says, “but I am fleshly,” To be honest, we can all say that. Paul is not saying he is some extreme fleshly being seeking sin out in every corner. He is simply stating the fact that he is still in the flesh which has all the same old temptations before it. Becoming a Christian did not immediately remove all those “common” sins from Paul no more than it does for us now. As long as we live in this fleshly, human body, we will be in the presence of sin and its influence.

APPLICATION

Great news, Carl. I guess I can just give up then. Now, hang on. We will be analyzing the rest of the chapter a verse at a time as we normally do. We will see what Paul is saying about this dilemma and will see how to apply Paul’s confession to our own. The word used here for “fleshly” is sarkinos which comes from the root sarx. However, this adjective form is referring to the human flesh and not the fleshly behaviors. That is sarkikos. That’s a big difference. Can we all agree that if you are still living and breathing, you are in the flesh? You have a fleshly body.

Sarkinos is used in 1 Corinthians 3:1 when Paul says, “And I, brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but only as fleshly, as to infants in Christ.” He uses the word again in 2 Corinthians 3:3 referring to “human” hearts. “revealing yourselves, that you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

And then we see it used one more time in the New Testament in Hebrews 7:16 where the writer says, “who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.” The word “physical” is sarkinos.  So, in just four verses, we see it translated as fleshly, human and physical. Don’t beat yourself up then. Just because you’re made of human flesh, that doesn’t make you fleshly in behavior. That is your choice. We’ll see more on that later. Today, choose the spiritual over the fleshly.

O Lord, even though I am still in this old human body, I desire to live holy and pure before You.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Benefit, Bible, Choices, Fruit, Scripture, Unfruitful

WHAT’S THE BENEFIT?

ROMANS 6:21

“Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.”

People do the craziest things for the craziest reasons. People rob banks just to get money which they think will make them happy or get them out of some jam. People do drugs to relieve themselves of worries or problems only to find those things still there when the high wears off. We really should stop and think about the benefits of our actions before we do something stupid. There – I said it – stupid.

Paul points out in today’s verse what I just was talking about. He asks the readers why they did those shameful things. Surely, they had a reason. And then he reminds them of the cost – death. The word for “benefit” is the Greek word karpos which is the word used to describe fruit, good or bad. So, Paul is saying, “What did you expect to reap when you sowed bad seed?”

APPLICATION

I don’t normally insert long passages in my devotional blogs, but you really need to read all of Matthew 7:15-20. You will see Jesus use the word karpos over and over.“15 ‘Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.’”

What kind of fruit did you expect when you engaged in sinful behavior? Did you really think the temporary fruit would last? Nope, it doesn’t work that way. We will reap what we sow. Too many people think they can sow their wild oats and then pray for a crop failure (not an original saying by me).

In the ministry in which I serve, Every Man A Warrior, we teach me to produce good fruit. We train them to become disciple makers, not just disciples. We want to see each and every man produce a crop 30, 60 or 100 times what they invested. Generational growth is our goal. That is not done by indulging our flesh. But when we yield to the Spirit, we can see that fruitful outcome. Produce the good fruit!

Lord, help me to produce fruit that can continue to grow long after I leave this earth.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Bondslaves, Choices, Enslavement, Righteousness, Scripture, Sin, Slaves

SLAVES BY CHOICE

ROMANS 6:18

“and after being freed from sin, you became slaves to righteousness.”

Every job I have ever had was my choice. No one made me work for someone. Sure, I might have been encouraged by my parents or my wife, but I made the choice in the end. I prayed about those jobs. I wanted to make sure it was His will for my life and not just something I wanted to do. Looking back over my 65 years, some of those choices may not have been the best. But God worked through each of them to bring me to the point where I am today.

Paul has been using the analogy of slavery in the past few verses. It was a system he was very aware of having lived in that environment. The word Paul uses for “became slaves” is doulóō which focuses on the status of being a bond-slave and stresses the results of enslavement. The word is used eight times in the New Testament. The Topical Lexicon says, “The eight New Testament uses of this verb, taken together, testify that the gospel does not merely offer improved circumstances; it effects a total change of ownership, replacing cruel slavery to sin with joyful servanthood to the living God.”

APPLICATION

We’ll see doulóō a few verses later in Romans 6:22. Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 9:19 when he writes, “For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more.” Willfully choosing to enslave oneself is a huge decision. So many people don’t get this. They enter into their relationship with Jesus just to escape the fires of hell. They are not told that when we choose Jesus, we choose enslavement to His will. They think it will hold them back and don’t understand this enslavement actually frees you.

You can also choose enslavement to other things. In Titus 2:3 this word is used to warn women to not be enslaved to much wine. We all know the results of that, right? Our choices have consequences – good or bad. As Paul said a couple of verses back, we can be slaves to sin or obedience. Both have consequences.

But here in today’s verse Paul makes it clear that we have been freed from sin to choose righteousness. We choose to live enslaved to a Master who will give us His righteousness. We did not deserve it and we cannot earn it. His righteousness was given to us the moment we “enslave” ourselves to Him. We become royalty, part of the family of God. What a great enslavement. Will you choose that today? Enslave yourself to Him.

Father, I bind myself to You each day and seek to do Your will.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Battles, Bible, Choices, Failures, God's Will, Scripture, Sin

THROW OUT THE OLD

EPHESIANS 4:22

“that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,” 

One good thing about moving is the opportunity to get rid of some stuff, especially clothes which you haven’t worn or can’t wear any more. Why do we hang on to the old stuff? When my dad passed away, he left a shop and three outbuildings full of old sinks, toilets, light fixtures and pieces of wood and metal. He wouldn’t throw anything away. Guess what? Somebody has to, eventually.

In today’s verse, Paul tells us to “rid yourselves of the old self.” The verb here means to renounce, lay aside. In other words, take it off and don’t put it back on. That “old self” mentioned there is not talking about our personality or body. He is talking about that manner of life we lived before Christ. Don’t revert to your old ways. You have something new now. Don’t go back!

APPLICATION

The same verb is used several other times in the New Testament, almost always talking about getting rid of the bad stuff. Look over in Colossians 3:8 where Paul said, “But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth.” How about that verse that is so often quoted from Hebrews 12:1? “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

What are you still hanging on to that you need to let go? I am not talking about clothes or books. I am talking about habits or sins. I was talking to a guy recently who wants to get rid of his nicotine habit. He stopped smoking but is still using nicotine patches. He knows it is not good for him. He is asking the Lord to take away that addiction. Praise the Lord.

Can I give you some advice? If you have something (and we all do) that you need to lay aside, put it out of your reach. Don’t leave it laying somewhere that is easily accessible. If it’s around, you will more easily stumble. Throw it away. Dispose of it. Put it out of reach. And God will give you the strength and fortitude to live without it. I promise He is able.

Thank You, Father, for delivering me from those things that so easily entangle me.

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Abiding, Bible, Blessing, Choices, Estrangement, Promises, Purpose, Scripture, Separation

SEPARATE FROM CHRIST

EPHESIANS 2:12

“remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”

Separation from those you love is hard. Whether it is due to death, a move across the country or world or estrangement, it’s hard to deal with. Why? Because our love doesn’t stop just because the person(s) is out of our sight. We continue to love them, but now we can’t touch them (hug, kiss). We miss them. Our heart aches for them. If you have experienced this, you know the deep longing that is with you every day.

Paul reminds us in today’s verse that we were once separate from Christ. We had no part in Him. Most of us never even realized we were separate from Him. We were going on our merry way as if everything was fine. But we weren’t fine. Paul says we were “excluded” for God’s people, we were “strangers” to God’s promises and we had “no hope” because we lacked God’s purpose. No people, no promise, no purpose. That’s separation from God.

APPLICATION

Paul uses a Greek word in this verse for “excluded” which can be defined as “estranged.” The word is apallotrioó, which is only used two other times in the New Testament. Later in this letter (4:18) and in Colossians 1:21. All three times it refers to an alienation or exclusion from Christ before we were saved. What does that mean for us as believers? It means we should be grateful for what we have now. Amen? We should occasionally lookback and give God praise for all He has done for us.

Sometimes our exclusion, our estrangement is of our own doing. We decided to move away from Christ. We don’t live as if He has any part of us. We are actually shunning the Spirit of God that is in us as believers. Listen, beloved, that is dangerous territory. That puts you outside the umbrella of His protection. As for me, I choose to stay under that protection.

Paul says we are “strangers.” That Greek word is xenos.It is where we get “xenophobia” -the fear of people. I don’t want to be a stranger to Christ. I want to be family. Don’t you? We all want our families to be close. We all want to be able to share our love with one another. Christ desires the same with us. He is drawing you close today. Do you feel that tug? It’s Him!

O Father, thank You for drawing me into Your family so I am no longer an alien or stranger.

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Abiding, Accountability, Bible, Choices, Desires, Flesh, Lusts, Mind, Scripture, Wrath

WE WERE THERE

EPHESIANS 2:3

“Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.” 

It is so easy to get caught up in a mob mentality. One minute you are discussing something calmly and then things get heated. The next thing you know, you are shouting and screaming at each other. The bigger the crowd, the louder it gets. We’ve seen all the protests lately all over the world. People who have no idea what they are protesting are yelling, chanting and doing things behind masks they would have never done a year ago.

But don’t point your fingers. Paul tells us in today’s verse that we were there. We were just like them. He says, “we too all previously lived.” In other words, don’t forget that this is where you came from. Then Paul describes some of our actions in the past. We “lived in the lusts of our flesh.” We indulged “the desires of the flesh and mind.” We “were by nature children of wrath.” Let’s look at these past actions of ours to remind ourselves of where we have come from and to never return there.

APPLICATION

What are “the lusts of our flesh”? Benson says in his commentary, that they are “the base appetites of which we were enslaved” that cause us “to forget the dignity and happiness of rational and immortal spirits.” Did you get that? These lusts drive you to do things. Paul includes himself in this description. He also struggled with these before Christ rescued him.

Then Paul further defines these lusts. He says they are “the desires of the flesh and mind.” These desires affect both the body and the mind. They are our actions and our thoughts. I have been reading a book lately that says our thoughts lead to words. Our words lead to actions. And our actions lead to habits. (Take Captive Every Thought by Jeff Rowe) How true that is. When we give in to our thoughts, things can progress very quickly.

Paul finishes this thought by saying we, “were by nature children of wrath.” Boy, that sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Listen to what Barnes says about this phrase. “I do not know a more strong or positive declaration that can be made to show that people are by nature destitute of holiness and exposed to perdition.” Wow! But that was us BEFORE Jesus. Praise be to God we are no longer there. Sin no longer has a grip on us. We are free to do as God wills. Amen!

Father, thank You for freeing me from these lusts of the flesh and my tendency to sin. I have Your Holy Spirit living in me.

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Bible, Choices, Death, Decisions, Eternal Life, Eternity, Gospel, Offenses, Scripture, Sin

YOU WERE DEAD

Ephesians 2:1

“And you were dead in your offenses and sins,” 

Let me let you in on a little secret – dead means dead. I have attended a lot of funerals and burials and have never once met someone who came back from that event. I am not trying to be hurtful or disrespectful if you have gone through that recently. I just know that death is the final act of this earthly body. Unless you are lucky enough to have been brought back medically, everyone who is reading this has never experienced death – yet.

Paul kind of slaps the Ephesians in the face with today’s verse. “You were dead! D-E-A-D, Dead!” Why? Because of their offenses and sins. Remember Romans 6:23? “For the wages of sin is death,…” The result of the fall of man in the garden was death – physical and spiritual death. Without an intervention by God, man would die spiritually because of their sins. Paul wants the Ephesians to remember that.

APPLICATION

You are probably thinking Well, thanks for the good news, Carl. That really made my day! You have to hang on. The first three verses of chapter 2 are all about showing us what we were BEFORE Jesus. In verse four we will see the good news. So, just hang in there. Keep coming back each day to get the full picture. This may feel like a cliffhanger, but I promise there is a bridge in sight.

Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned—” It all sounds so hopeless, doesn’t it? We have all been infected by this germ called “sin.” It is highly contagious. In fact, we were all born with it. Now hang on, Carl. You can’t tell me those precious little babies are sin filled. According to Scripture, yep! I don’t believe a baby or child will be held accountable for that until they are able to hear and comprehend the Gospel (but that’s a whole other discussion for another day).

I love 1 John and how John shows when we have left this sin-filled life and chosen to live our lives for Jesus. He says this in 1 John 3:14. “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death.” This is how we apply this verse. First, we accept Jesus, and then we show the world. Can you live today in that manner? Through Christ, you can.

O Lord, You have given me a new life. Help me live it honoring You.

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Abiding, Belief, Bible, Choices, Decisions, God's Will, Hope, Messiah, Promises, Scripture, Trust

FIRST TO HOPE

EPHESIANS 1:12

“to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory.”

Some people are eternal optimists. They have hope when all else fails. They seem to look at the world through rose-colored glasses, as the saying goes. It seems nothing gets them down. When things are at their lowest, they will say, “Well, it could be worse.” Don’t you just hate those people, lol? Seriously, we could use more people like that in the world, couldn’t we?

Paul uses a phrase in today’s verse which has many scholars disagreeing. “We who were the first to hope in the Christ” could refer to the Jews, who first hoped in a Messiah. It could refer to the first Christians, Jews and Gentiles. No one is sure who Paul was referring to here. We’ll have to ask him one day, won’t we? However he meant it, these people “would be to the praise of His glory.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “first to hope” is proelpizó, which comes from two Greek words, pro, meaning before, and elpizo, which means “actively waiting for God’s fulfillment about the faith He has inbirthed through the power of His love.” (HELPS Word-studies). Are you still with me? This word is only used right here in Ephesians 1:12. From the definition, I personally believe he is referring to the Jewish believers who had held a hope for the Messiah and then responded when He arrived.

But how does this apply to us today? Jesus has already come and gone. He came to give us access to the Father (John 14:6). Now we hope in His return. When will that be? Nobody knows. But we have been told how. Acts 1:9-11 says, “9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, 11 and they said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’”

Are you gazing intently? Are you watching for His return? It could be any day. Prophecies have been fulfilled. We are at the threshold of heaven. Are you ready? He is coming. We can hope in that. Give someone else that hope today. Share the good news of Jesus with a lost friend or family member. Then they too can hope in Christ.

Lord, You are returning. I stand today gazing at the sky hoping it is today.

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Accountability, Bible, Choices, Circumcision, Commands, Disciples, Following, God's Will, Heart, Holiness, Law, Scripture

FOLLOW THE RULE

GALATIANS 6:16

“And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”

Are you a rule follower? I guess I am for the most part. I have to admit, I don’t always drive the speed limit. Other than that, I guess I follow the rules of law in our country. I pay my taxes. I don’t commit any crimes. I am just so glad I don’t have to worry about following a long list of rules set down by God. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do follow His commands set forth in Scripture as best I can. But I am free in Christ.

So, what is Paul talking about here – “all who will follow this rule”? What rule? The Greek word translated as “rule” is kanon, which means a measuring rod, usually a cane or reed used as a standard of measure. Paul expected believers to keep themselves holy. That was the measuring rod. It wasn’t about keeping the law. It was about obeying God. What is God’s standard? Holiness. Paul says when we do that, we will have peace and mercy and prove ourselves as the true Israel of God.

APPLICATION

Psalm 51:16-17 gives us a clear picture of what God expects of us. “16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.” This is the “rule” Paul is referring to. God isn’t concerned with gathering a bunch of rule followers. He wants sincere followers of Christ.

Paul probably had the words of Jeremiah ringing through his mind as he talked about circumcision and rules. Jeremiah 4:4 says, “‘Circumcise yourselves to the LORD and remove the foreskins of your hearts, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,’” It wasn’t about the physical. It was all about the spiritual. Our hearts need to bear the mark of Jesus. We don’t need to bear a physical mark on our bodies.

So, let me ask you again, are you a rule follower? I pray you are. I pray you are following the rule set forth by God. Turn to His Son, Jesus, and let Him give you a new heart. If you have done that, then walk in Him. Surrender your heart to Him afresh each and every day. Amen? Amen!

Lord, I am thankful I have been considered worthy to be one of Your followers because of Jesus.

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Bible, Choices, Destruction, Eternal Life, Harvest, Reaping, Scripture, Sowing

REAPING AND SOWING 

GALATIANS 6:8 

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.” 

In the past, I have really enjoyed gardening. I have mentioned this before in my blogs. But it’s that time again in the South, so it’s been on my mind a lot. I have been contemplating building some raised beds to go along my backyard fence where I could plant some vegetables. I really enjoy the process of preparing the soil, planting the seed or plants, watching them grow and then reaping the harvest. I can always bet on the fact that I will reap exactly what I sowed. 

In today’s verse, Paul is continuing his thought on reaping and sowing. He is pointing out to the Galatians that there are consequences for our actions. Those who seek to please their flesh will one day reap destruction. They will not experience the peace that comes through knowing Christ. But those who run after the Spirit, who sow seeds to please the Spirit will reap that promise of eternal life. What a promise! 

APPLICATION 

We all know Romans 6:23, right? “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Don’t you get that? It’s free! All we have to do is accept it. Who wouldn’t want that? How about the words of Christ in John 5:24? “‘Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.’” 

Or we can choose to live our lives our own way and ignore all the warning signs. We can choose to live for the moment. There’s a popular billboard out right now. It says, “Live Your Truth.” What hogwash! There is only one truth. What we think about our truth does not matter. That will only lead you to destruction. That is sowing to please the flesh. 

What will you do today? Are you going to sow to the flesh or to the Spirit? Do you want destruction or eternal life? I know what I want. I want to spend eternity with the King of kings and Lord of lords. I want to glorify His name forever. Will you join me? 

Father, You are the reason I have chosen Jesus. You drew me to Yourself. 

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