The Spirit-Waif, the Flesh-Storm, and Authentic Christianity
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I’m getting tired of the buzz word authentic.
If my sinful self is a harrowing storm and the spirit-child God created me to be is the waif with the shawl clutched tightly, leaning into the howling wind and pressing ever forward, it wouldn’t be too far off as far as metaphors go.
We wrangle out our faith in the midst of the doubt, the fear, the kicking and screaming flesh that doesn’t want to live by faith. We talk—and blog—about the struggle so much that we glorify the struggle instead of have victory over it. This falls short of authentic Christianity.
The Word tells us how to be victorious over sin:
•We are to flee (2 Timothy 2:22).
•We are to take every thought captive that is dishonorable and ungodly (2 Corinthians 10:5).
•We are to exercise self control, dust off at least one facet of the fruit of the Spirt (Galatians 5:22-23).
Instead we engage with the daily temptations rather than remove ourselves from them or them from us.We deem this study of the struggle to be honest, real, authentic and bravely living out a Christian life. We applaud the open honesty in others and aspire to be so authentic ourselves. Authentic is the new godly.
We have traded true conviction and obedience to the Word for talking about how hard it is to be obedient and what a struggle it is to have faith, when, all the while, the Word of God provides us the remedy for the war with the stinking flesh. We are not to give the enemy a foothold (Ephesians 4:22).
Scripture tells me my flesh and spirit are at war with one another, and they will be until the end of this life. But they aren’t supposed to co-exist. One is supposed to be dead, crucified daily actually, the other alive to Christ, so that I no longer live but Christ in me (Luke 9:23 and Galatians 2:20).
The scripture does not depict a spirit-waif enduring a flesh-storm.
Authentic Christianity is conformity. Willfully—no, gladly—conforming ourselves to Christ, his commands, his precepts, and his truth out of utter and undeniable love for Him at all cost to ourselves. Authentic Christianity is not glorifying the fight between the flesh and the spirit. Christianity is crucifying the flesh. Talking about the struggle is not Christianity; it’s just honest words.
Yes, and Amen! There is VICTORY in Jesus! We are new creations in Him, the old self is being crucified daily as we choose to pick up our cross and follow Him in obedience. Great post…so true!
Amen, amen.
“Obedience is better than sacrifice.”
Wow; you are so right on! We have all that we need in Christ. He is our strength and refuge. He will fight for us. Our job is to stay abiding in the Vine. Most know what His Word says. The problem is obedience. Great post!
Blessings and love,
Debbie