They may appear momentarily attractive and entirely harmless, since many do not display themselves in wrongful actions, but they are in reality enemies that bring great harm to your very soul. They make you spiritually weak, ineffective, and bring dangerous deterioration to the spiritual part of you - your person. They are hostile toward your soul.
What is "they"? "The flesh" or "Sinful desires" that Peter says (1 Peter 2:11) "wage war against the soul." Happily, according to 1 Peter 1:14 it is possible for us to win the victory against these "evil desires" and maintain a healthy soul.
What are some of these "desires?" They are fittingly described in Galatians 5:13-25. A sample list from the text includes: "biting and devouring each other, sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activity, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and all kinds of sin." This is a description of life prior to the saving and changing power of Jesus. Sorrowfully those things can still exercise great influence on us and can tear apart our souls.
How do we protect our souls in this war?
(1) Allow the powerful harvest of Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control) to determine our thoughts and actions. Galatians 5:22-23
(2) "Abstain" = "continually keep away from or avoid; don't let yourself indulge in them at any time." 1Peter 2:11.
(3) Live in awareness of what spiritual damage fleshly desires and thoughts can have on your soul.
With you in the battle, Bob
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Welcome to the table, friend!
This is where we gather and hang out. I'd love for you to pull up a chair and jump right into the conversation. Or simply say 'hello.'
l'll be dropping in to visit you sometime soon ...
Linda