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Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (King James Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Breakdown:
In Christ Jesus, we are a new creation, yet we have the old man to deal with in regard to desire, sin, and temptation. Consider these two creations like two separate creatures. One is a harmless child, and the other is a ruthless beast. If we do not tame the beast of the flesh, it will tear apart the young child of Christ in us. If we do not bring our own bodies under subjection, we will not find the freedom being a child of God brings.
Whichever nature you feed the most will become the strongest. If you had the choice between feeding a ruthless beast or your child, which one would you feed? Your own child no doubt. That way your child may grow strong while the beast withers so that it won't harm your child. But if you feed the beast, it will grow strong, and in between feedings, its appetite will grow larger.
If you feed the flesh, the flesh will become a terrifying beast that will overtake you. But if you feed the new creation of Christ in you, it will grow strong while the flesh will grow weak.
The more you feed the flesh with its desires and act in the flesh to sin, the more it's appetite will grow between feedings. Its appetite is temptation, and the more you feed it, the bigger it's "stomach" becomes. As a result, the appetite of temptation will grow stronger, and conviction will grow weaker.
If you want more conviction in life, then sit in the presence of the Spirit more, and do not obey the flesh. When you're faithful to listen to Him, you will feel His conviction more frequently and stronger. Why would this be? Because God speaks more frequently to those who listen and obey.
Think about it: who would you rather talk to--someone who doesn't listen to you or care about what you're saying or someone who is all ears, a person who always wants to listen to everything you say and is absorbed in your every word? You'd rather speak to some who cares about you no doubt! Likewise, God speaks more frequently to those who listen and less to those who turn a deaf ear to Him.
Breakdown:
In Christ Jesus, we are a new creation, yet we have the old man to deal with in regard to desire, sin, and temptation. Consider these two creations like two separate creatures. One is a harmless child, and the other is a ruthless beast. If we do not tame the beast of the flesh, it will tear apart the young child of Christ in us. If we do not bring our own bodies under subjection, we will not find the freedom being a child of God brings.
Whichever nature you feed the most will become the strongest. If you had the choice between feeding a ruthless beast or your child, which one would you feed? Your own child no doubt. That way your child may grow strong while the beast withers so that it won't harm your child. But if you feed the beast, it will grow strong, and in between feedings, its appetite will grow larger.
If you feed the flesh, the flesh will become a terrifying beast that will overtake you. But if you feed the new creation of Christ in you, it will grow strong while the flesh will grow weak.
The more you feed the flesh with its desires and act in the flesh to sin, the more it's appetite will grow between feedings. Its appetite is temptation, and the more you feed it, the bigger it's "stomach" becomes. As a result, the appetite of temptation will grow stronger, and conviction will grow weaker.
If you want more conviction in life, then sit in the presence of the Spirit more, and do not obey the flesh. When you're faithful to listen to Him, you will feel His conviction more frequently and stronger. Why would this be? Because God speaks more frequently to those who listen and obey.
Think about it: who would you rather talk to--someone who doesn't listen to you or care about what you're saying or someone who is all ears, a person who always wants to listen to everything you say and is absorbed in your every word? You'd rather speak to some who cares about you no doubt! Likewise, God speaks more frequently to those who listen and less to those who turn a deaf ear to Him.
