Romans 8:12-13, Subdue the Flesh

Romans 8:12-13 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

The Christian is instructed to subdue the flesh. The word “mortify” means “to put to death”. Do not allow the flesh to take over, kill it. This battle between the flesh and the Spirit is an on-going one. Be always filled with the Spirit. The life lived in the Spirit receives God’s blessing. The life lived in the flesh receives God’s cursing. Realize that God has freed us from the bondage of sin through Christ. It is a debt we owe to Christ for sacrificing Himself to save us. Are we not grateful for what He has done? Indeed, Christ’s sacrifice is despised in our heart when we yield to the flesh. However way we may try to justify our sin, we are guilty!

The Apostle Paul is pleading with the believers in Rome to live a life of holiness before God and men. He tells us of the dire consequences of choose to sin against God. May we not give any excuse to sin. Consider this excerpt concerning what is sin found in the Moody Monthy:

What Is Sin

Man calls it an accident; God calls it an abomination.

Man calls it a blunder; God calls it blindness.

Man calls it a defect; God calls it a disease.

Man calls it a chance; God calls it a choice.

Man calls it an error; God calls it an enmity.

Man calls it a fascination; God calls it a fatality.

Man calls it an infirmity; God calls it an iniquity.

Man calls it a luxury; God calls it a leprosy.

Man calls it a liberty; God calls it lawlessness.

Man calls it a trifle; God calls it a tragedy.

Man calls it a mistake; God calls it a madness.

Man calls it a weakness; God calls it willfulness.

—Moody Monthly

May the Lord grant us the strength to a life that brings eternal blessedness! Amen.