By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 6:
12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.
FATHER called us to live at a higher level rather than submitting to the cravings or physical desires of the body. As children many of us sought out cookies and ice cream to the point of excess. If one cookie was good, two were better. If we weren’t held back by Mom, we would eat all the dessert before dinner was served. We were growing boys. As we mature, we must bring our bodies into subjection and not be moved by any whim or craving for if left unchecked that whim could become a major focus in our life.
The lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh must be dealt with before either becomes a major issue. We must not let ourselves be brought under the power of anything which would prevent us from living according to FATHER’S perfect plan, will, and purpose. We must bring our mind and body into submission and stay away from the door which leads to the path of destruction. It is better to eat to satisfy hunger rather than satisfy one’s appetite. We must not become a slave to anything and this is accomplished on a daily basis as we journey through life.
Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 10:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
We must be in command of our minds and bodies. We must bring all things into captivity which would deter us from being raised to a higher level. The body wants to be in control and have its desire to be fed and to be passive. The mind wants to be “tickled” by every wind of doctrine and pursue its curiosity and burn up hours of the day. If either were given control we would no longer mature to a higher state. We must keep both in submission to our spirit. In order to be led by THE SPIRIT we must not be led by they mind or body.
Those who live in moderation in both body and mind will inherit “the earth” as Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 5. We must be about OUR FATHER’S business thus we must focus on what matters to HIM, not our body or our mind. As we restrain the flesh and bring it into submission, we become more sensitive in the Spiritual realm. As we quiet our mind, we are better able to hear in the Spiritual realm. In order to “Go into all the world” we must be prepared both physically and mentally to do so. Let us make sure that our bodies and our minds submit to our Spirit Man where the true power lies.