So, Joshua and I have been watching Survivor together. I haven’t watched this show since the first season and I have regrets now. Ha. I’m sure someone has done case studies, and studied the psychology. It is a fascinating study of human nature and the flesh, as Paul describes in Romans 8.
I read somewhere recently that when we are hungry, tired or lonely, this is not the time to make decisions and rely on feelings. This is where each Survivor contestant finds themselves by day 2. Everyone is making alliances, whispering, seeking who to throw overboard, and so on. All the while, hunger looms and sleep deprivation is very real.
Here’s the thing, it’s a game. I get that. There is strategy and cunning, those who do not know how to be cutthroat, do not survive. There is one woman (Kenzie) who fascinates me, she has had an alliance with another contestant (Tiff) since the very beginning. Kenz turned on Tiff and tried to blindside (or remove her). There was no regret or sadness. It is all about the game. Oh, and winning that one million dollars.
So when I think about the flesh as Paul describes, no better place to study than Survivor. Or my own life. Let’s be honest. We all have people that bring us to frustration or anger. We probably aren’t cutting people out of our lives for profit, but we have ways to accomplish moving hard people to the side. Our choices reflect our understanding of God’s truth in our lives.
Paul says in Romans 8:12 that we are not indebted to our flesh. I need a definition:
”Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.“
Galatians 5:19-21 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.19-21.NASB1995
These deeds, if we live by them, we will die by them. We have a choice, but at first, it can be subtle. It’s the first small step. Then the next.
Sorry for always using Luna for my stories, but here’s another. We are teaching Luna to sit when a door opens. Sometimes it works very well, or like today, she realized the gate was open. So she had this beautiful, little enclosure with her toys, water, everything familiar and yes, us. But that gate…oh that gate. She flew into the street, almost got hit by a car, ran a bit, and came home.
It started with seeing the gate. Then, going through the gate. Right? Same with us. It begins with the emotion or thought. And right there is our choice.
”Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.“
Genesis 4:6-8 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.4.6-8.NASB1995
The Lord saw Cain’s anger. He warned him. That image of sin “crouching at your door” has been in my mind this week as I study Romans 8. If I say yes to sin because I’m scared or frustrated, I become indebted, a delinquent to sin, but let’s remember what we just studied in the previous verses.
”12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.“
Romans 8:12-17 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.8.12-17.NASB1995
Let’s compare the Amplified version here (bold is me)
”So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]— for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever. For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory. [John 17:24; Gal 3:29; 4:7; Eph 1:3, 11; 3:6; Heb 6:12]“
Romans 8:12-17 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/rom.8.12-17.AMP
Let’s define some words here:
ὀφειλέται (opheiletai)
Noun – Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong’s 3781: From opheilo; an ower, i.e. Person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor.
Other examples of the word obligation: Matthew 6:12, Luke 13:4
flesh,
σαρκὶ (sarki)
Noun – Dative Feminine Singular
Strong’s 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.
Klēronómos, klay-ron-om’-os; from G2819 and the base of G3551(in its original sense of partitioning, i.e. (reflexively) getting by apportionment); a sharer by lot, i.e. inheritor (literally or figuratively); by implication, a possessor:—heir.
Matthew 21:38, Mark 12:7 and Luke 20:14 are all related to the story Jesus tells of the evil vine growers who kill the heir.
Example of heir: Galatians 3:29-4:7
And lets get context:
”If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.“
Romans 8:10-11 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.8.10-11.NASB1995
I have Christ in me. My body is dead. My spirit is alive. My choices reflect who lives in me, who is working in and through me.
How do I respond? Peace. Peace with the boundaries that God has given me for my life and thoughts. Enjoying the life God has given me here. I really do not want to be a Luna in this. We have a lot of work ahead of us with this little puppy…
I’ll end with this. Starburst, when we first got her, did the same thing. I’ll never forget how we would have to run after her. And after much training, there came the day when she became content and lost the desire to run. In fact we were busy and a neighbor knocked on our door, she was sitting at the front door, waiting.
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