By Micca Monda Campbell
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 (NKJ)
The Tennessee Women’s prison has an unusual baptistery in their chapel. It’s a coffin. For these women, being baptized in a coffin is a powerful visual of their death and burial with Christ. Thereafter, the coffin, which is a permanent fixture in the chapel, becomes a daily reminder that they are no longer slaves to sin and enemies of God. Their old way of living is dead, buried, and gone; and they are now free to live a life pleasing to God.
This is such an awesome truth in ours lives that Billy Graham says, “We should meditate on the truth that we are dead to sin and alive to righteousness, until returning to the old way of living is unthinkable.”
While it is true that we are dead to our old life, staying dead is another matter. Often, our dead flesh will raise its ugly head and try to influence our thoughts and actions. If we listen long enough to its demands, we suddenly find ourselves at the graveyard fervently digging up our old flesh, so that it can perform its sinful deeds.
Christians have a responsibility to put to death their old nature through daily surrender or else they cannot live a life pleasing to God. They will begin to think only of themselves again and ways to gratify their flesh. However, those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit will live a life of righteousness free from sin. Those who follow the Holy Spirit will not think about fulfilling the desires of the flesh. Their thoughts are occupied by God’s Word, His ways, and purposes.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8, “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely an admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” So, what dominates your thoughts?
If we only think of ourselves, what we want and our rights, then eventually we’ll find ourselves going down the wrong path, one that leads to a stinky life. On the other hand, thinking on things that are pure and worthy brings forth life that is pleasing to God and a witness to others.
If you are in Christ, then the flesh no longer dominates you, my sister. So stop visiting the graveyard. Instead be led by the Holy Spirit by dying daily to your old way of thinking and living. Then, the Spirit of God can create in you a pure life that releases a sweet, pleasing aroma.
Dear Lord, I confess that I often visit the graveyard to free my dead flesh. Help me to keep that person in the grave by yielding solely to Your Holy Spirit so that my life will be pleasing to You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca’s Blog
Micca Campbell’s Testimony DVD
The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do, by Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle
Do you know Jesus?
Application Steps:
Begin each day by surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to guide your thoughts and actions and you will not give in to your own desires. When you fail, quickly confess it and surrender again. Soon Christ’s character will exude in your life while overcoming your own.
Reflections:
When you smell the stench of selfish flesh do you quickly confess it, turn from it, and begin living in the spirit again?
Is your life overall a pleasing aroma to God?
Do you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life even when it’s hard?
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (KJV)
Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (NKJ)
Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the acceptable and perfect will of God.” (NKJ)
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 (NKJ)
The Tennessee Women’s prison has an unusual baptistery in their chapel. It’s a coffin. For these women, being baptized in a coffin is a powerful visual of their death and burial with Christ. Thereafter, the coffin, which is a permanent fixture in the chapel, becomes a daily reminder that they are no longer slaves to sin and enemies of God. Their old way of living is dead, buried, and gone; and they are now free to live a life pleasing to God.
This is such an awesome truth in ours lives that Billy Graham says, “We should meditate on the truth that we are dead to sin and alive to righteousness, until returning to the old way of living is unthinkable.”
While it is true that we are dead to our old life, staying dead is another matter. Often, our dead flesh will raise its ugly head and try to influence our thoughts and actions. If we listen long enough to its demands, we suddenly find ourselves at the graveyard fervently digging up our old flesh, so that it can perform its sinful deeds.
Christians have a responsibility to put to death their old nature through daily surrender or else they cannot live a life pleasing to God. They will begin to think only of themselves again and ways to gratify their flesh. However, those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit will live a life of righteousness free from sin. Those who follow the Holy Spirit will not think about fulfilling the desires of the flesh. Their thoughts are occupied by God’s Word, His ways, and purposes.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8, “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely an admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” So, what dominates your thoughts?
If we only think of ourselves, what we want and our rights, then eventually we’ll find ourselves going down the wrong path, one that leads to a stinky life. On the other hand, thinking on things that are pure and worthy brings forth life that is pleasing to God and a witness to others.
If you are in Christ, then the flesh no longer dominates you, my sister. So stop visiting the graveyard. Instead be led by the Holy Spirit by dying daily to your old way of thinking and living. Then, the Spirit of God can create in you a pure life that releases a sweet, pleasing aroma.
Dear Lord, I confess that I often visit the graveyard to free my dead flesh. Help me to keep that person in the grave by yielding solely to Your Holy Spirit so that my life will be pleasing to You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Micca’s Blog
Micca Campbell’s Testimony DVD
The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do, by Kathie Reimer and Lisa Whittle
Do you know Jesus?
Application Steps:
Begin each day by surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to guide your thoughts and actions and you will not give in to your own desires. When you fail, quickly confess it and surrender again. Soon Christ’s character will exude in your life while overcoming your own.
Reflections:
When you smell the stench of selfish flesh do you quickly confess it, turn from it, and begin living in the spirit again?
Is your life overall a pleasing aroma to God?
Do you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life even when it’s hard?
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (KJV)
Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (NKJ)
Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the acceptable and perfect will of God.” (NKJ)
4 Comments:
This is an amazing message, there is not doubt that The Holy Spirit find His ways on daily basis to communicate what we need to hear, to give us strength and pull us out of the pit when we are crying for help. May the holiness of our Lord be with you always. God Bless you!!
thank you for writing this message it spoke straight to me. I have been getting attacked by satin and i keep thinking of how i used to be and i start to get down and defeted. I realy appreciate what the proverbs 31 ministries are doing. We all have such great responsabilities as mothers, wifes, students, employees and most of all servents of the awsome and mighty God! keep doing what you are doing and stay encouraged and positive God bless
I can't thank you enough for this AMAZING message. When you wrote this, God had the plan to reach out with words of encouragement and hope to reach the ears of women (and men) like my own. I have been trying to live a life that is pleasing to the Father, however when I do fail, I have had a hard time forgiving myself for doing so. This message reminds me that I may get knocked down, but I need to get right back up again, and forgiving myself-right away- and asking God for forgivess for my sins is the first step. Thanks again for your ministry. God Bless!
i just found this site and i realy enjoyed the message . i want to be a women after gods on heart i want to please god in every part of my life thank you for your ministries my prayers is for god to bless you
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