Spiritual War – part 3

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit…Romans 8:9

We need to finish quoting Verse 9: if indeed the Spirit dwells in you. Those who are born again have the Spirit of God. Those who are not born of the Spirit, do not have the Spirit. They are alone. 

There is only one Spirit of God. But there are many deceiving spirits. Both speak through people. Spiritual discernment is knowing the difference. The world wants us to think God is in everyone and everything, even His creation. This is not true. It is a lie. The Spirit of God only abides in those who are born of Him; born of the Spirit, John 3:6 & 8. And, of course, 1 John 4:13: by this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 

Make no mistake you are in the Spirit because the Spirit is in you. Therefore, you are not in the flesh. This is why our understanding of the Book of Romans is so important. Until we realize the truth of God in these words, we will doubt we are actually in Christ. If the Spirit dwells in you, you are in Christ! If you are in Christ, you cannot be in the flesh.

Paul does not use the word ‘flesh’ as we think in human terms. He is not talking about our skin, or our muscles. He is talking spiritually. Romans 6 makes it clear. We have died to our flesh. Paul says the same thing in Galatians 5:24: And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. The flesh is how we used to think; how we used to talk; how we used to act. We are not that person any more. Until we accept that truth, we will continue to battle the spiritual war of doubt.

According to Paul, the flesh is how we used to behave. It is how we function apart from Christ. The flesh is our old way of thinking. We need our minds renewed, Romans 12:1-2. We need to correct the way we think; how we evaluate what we hear. 

For example, you have probably heard something like this before. Each is a wrong conclusion of truth.

“You are a new person. Your problem is your old self.” Wrong!

“You do have a new heart. Your problem is your old heart.” Wrong!

“You are a new creation. Your problem is your old creation.” Wrong!

Listen to the Word of God: And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Your old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with…Romans 6:6a. Leave the past behind and get on with your new life in Christ!