What comes into your mind when you think about walking in the flesh? I always
tend to associate it with giving in to worldly pleasures, cravings and other
ungodly pursuits. But recently I again became aware that spiritual pursuit can
be done in the flesh. This is confusing and hard to discern which is why we so
desperately need God's Word at all times to divide the soul and spirit.
(Heb. 4:12) When we operate out of our soul in the spiritual realm we are in
very real danger. I'm going to share my recent experience knowing there are
many of you reading this who are sincerely seeking God and His will but are
finding yourselves in great confusion or darkness. May the Holy Spirit bring
truth to your innermost parts and shed God's Light in your soul.

When the Lord sent His Word to me a few months ago "having done all to stand -
now stand therefore.." (Eph. 6:13-14 ) I was immediately transformed by that
word. I saw how I had laid down and that standing required definite action
according to Eph 6:14-18 - it was not passive. I meditated on God's armor and
consciously put on each piece every day. The Lord showed me many "chinks" in my
armor and blessed my obedience to His Word by strengthening me in my standing.
But, as attacks continued to come, somehow without realizing it, I began
striving desperately to protect myself. My focus had somehow shifted from Jesus
and His provision for my standing to my putting on the armor just so. I had
entered into a ritual motivated by fear - not relationship and assurance of
God's backing of His own Word. I was sleepless, fretful and began to feel I was
never really prepared. If a day began and I hadn't spent adequate time in my
"process" I was sure I was an open target for the enemy to shoot down. It
wasn't until the Lord showed me the motivations of my heart that I realized I
was in sin. Yes it really was sin for whatever is not done in faith is sin
(Rom. 14:23). My ritual was bringing death, not life to me, religion not
relationship. For God tells us, "the letter kills but the Spirit gives life".
(2 Cor. 3:6) As soon as we take His Word apart from the Spirit we start down a
perilous path.

As my soul became progressively desperate and anxious to be right,the Lord used
a TV sermon to greatly help me and open my eyes to these wrong motivations. But
then I began listening to every sermon I could - after all if I was helped by
one, how much more by 25 or 30?! Well, I came out of that one wondering if I
even knew the Lord at all! I heard all manner of teachers saying all manner of
things about God but all along He was waiting for me to be still enough to be
able to answer that ageless question of Matt. 16:15, "Who do you say that I am?"
In looking back I see God had sent me His Word very specifically, once during
prayer and once during a TV program. But my soul took over, desperately wanting
to hasten the process. Now I am not saying it is wrong to listen to TV sermons
or actively pursue direction in God's Word. These things are often used by His
Spirit to help us. But when our motivations are fear, panic or anything other
than to be closer to God relationally and to discern His will through a genuine
trust in Him, we will suffer many sorrows. For Jesus warned us in John 5:39-40
of the folly of searching the Scriptures thinking that in them we have eternal
life while not really coming to Him who alone can give us that life.

Even when God does send His Word we still need His Spirit to empower us to carry
it out. But sometimes instead of applying the remedy we begin collecting
remedies! What if a doctor gave you pills to cure an ailment and you just set
them on the shelf and began seeking more from other doctors? Some of you are
"remedy collectors" but you've not applied any of it and are in confusion. You
need to ask God to show you which remedy came from Him for you and then act in
faith on it. Forget all the rest. One Spirit-led act of faith on one
Spirit-sent truth will do more for you than all the collections of truths you
can amass no matter how much good they did for someone else.

There are others of you who have applied too many remedies and your spirit is
overwhelmed. That's what happened to me. I took everything that came and tried
to act on it. No wonder I felt like I didn't even know Him and that everyone
had the answers but me. Can you imagine going to ten doctors who each give you
different medicines and taking them all? But sometimes we do that to our spirit
and the results are devastating.

Beloved, did you read about yourself somewhere in here? If so, what now? First,
realize you are acting out of your soul. Next, ask God to forgive you and show
you what brought you to this place outside His guidance and protection. Lastly,
commit yourself to trust Him and take His remedy however and whenever He gives
it, even if you have to wait. For God is saying, "Only in returning to Me will
you be saved. In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." (Is. 30:5)

In closing, we pray for you who have been struggling under a heavy load which is
self-imposed. We pray for peace for your soul and for God's Spirit to speak His
Word to your situation (in a way you will know it is Him) and empower you to
act on it. We agree now for and with you that as you turn to Jesus you will
find rest for your soul and be led in paths of righteousness for His Name's
Sake. God bless you. We love you so much. We want to leave this hymn with you
to comfort and encourage you as it did us.

Be still my soul: the Lord is on thy side! Be still my soul: thy God doth undertake
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; To guide the future as He has the past.
Leave to thy God to order and provide; Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
In every change He faithful will remain. All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav'nly Friend Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
Thro' thorny ways leads to a joyful end. His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.