Do Not Deceive Yourself
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
GALATIANS 5:24
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Do Not Deceive Yourself
No one should deceive himself. Whoever belongs to Christ, says Paul, crucifies the flesh with all its diseases and faults. . .. This takes place when they not only repress the wantonness of the flesh by fasting or other kinds of discipline, but when, as Paul said earlier (Galatians 5:16), they walk by the Spirit; that is, when the threat that God will punish sin severely warns them and frightens them away from sinning; and when, instructed by the Word, by faith, and by prayer, they refuse to yield to the desires of the flesh. . . . Dressed in the armor of God, with faith, hope, and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians. 6:11-17), they fight back at the flesh; and with these nails they fasten it to the cross, so that against its will is forced to be subject to the Spirit. Eventually, when they die, they will put it off completely; and in the resurrection they will have a flesh that is pure, without any passions or evil desires.
From Lectures on Galatians (1535) (Luther's Works 27:96-97)
GALATIANS 5:24
+
Do Not Deceive Yourself
No one should deceive himself. Whoever belongs to Christ, says Paul, crucifies the flesh with all its diseases and faults. . .. This takes place when they not only repress the wantonness of the flesh by fasting or other kinds of discipline, but when, as Paul said earlier (Galatians 5:16), they walk by the Spirit; that is, when the threat that God will punish sin severely warns them and frightens them away from sinning; and when, instructed by the Word, by faith, and by prayer, they refuse to yield to the desires of the flesh. . . . Dressed in the armor of God, with faith, hope, and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians. 6:11-17), they fight back at the flesh; and with these nails they fasten it to the cross, so that against its will is forced to be subject to the Spirit. Eventually, when they die, they will put it off completely; and in the resurrection they will have a flesh that is pure, without any passions or evil desires.
From Lectures on Galatians (1535) (Luther's Works 27:96-97)
Posted in Daily Devotions
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