Deeds of the Flesh outbreak

Yesterday I saw a friend who didn’t want to shake my hand because he had a cold and he didn’t want to spread his germs. He didn’t want me to have a “cold” outbreak.

O that it were only that easy to avoid a “deed of the flesh” outbreak.

What is a “deeds of the flesh” outbreak?

It is the moment when you see the deed(s) of the flesh  (Gal 5:19-21)  manifest in your heart, behavior(words/actions) or attitude. When we let such moments accumulate they weaken our souls, ruin marriages and destroy relationships.

[19] Now the deeds of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.

Another way to look for the flesh is to identify when your life is manifesting the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit – Gal 5:22  [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

There is no vaccine that keeps us from those outbreaks, but there is a way to move through them in a way that changes us and glorifies Christ as our true treasure.

What do we do when we have one of these moments ( they could last only a moment, or much longer)?  We’ll come to the answer in a bit.

First can you identify such a moment in your life? Look for a recent event where you had a strong (or mild) negative reaction to someone or something (anger, jealousy, harsh words, sarcasm, being defensive, pride, strife, lust, a self-righteous attitude, i.e. “O God I thank you that I’m not like…”etc)

If you can’t think of one ask God for His insights. He may even want to use someone who knows you well to give you a hint – a child, spouse, co-worker, friend – AND LISTEN TO THEM

Now, ask this, “What would a response that could have only been explained by the Holy Spirit look like”?

If you see how you had a “fleshly” response, then use a biblically informed sanctified imagination to think of what a Holy Spirit response would have looked like. You can bet that such a response will resemble a combination of the fruit of the Spirit.

Once you’ve done that prayerful evaluation you will know where you need to repent and how you need to move forward. Confess the response of the flesh to God and others if need be, and by faith step out and act in a way that can only be explained by the Holy Spirit.

In a way it’s quite simple, but not easy. It requires death to self, but as believers we are alive and empowered by the Holy Spirit.