Satisfy the Flesh by Satisfying the Soul
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
Everyone seeks satisfaction for the soul, because the soul is our thoughts, personality, emotions, and will. Our souls are spiritual and will live forever. They were created to be with God, therefore it is quite natural to seek satisfaction and contentment. The problem is that Satan deceives us by offering to satisfy our souls through the flesh, while God promises us that he will bring satisfaction to our souls through the indwelling Spirit. Essentially, God feeds Heaven into our souls through the Holy Spirit.
We are at war trying to satisfy our souls, either by the flesh or by the Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The fruit is basically the character of Christ, and the Spirit dwells within us. These infinite fruits are always available to us because the Spirit is with all Christians forever.
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6). Our souls follow the direction of our thoughts. If our thoughts are on things above, then our souls are in the Spirit and they experience the fruit of the Spirit. The more our minds are focused on things above, the more love, peace, and joy our souls will experience; these are all the characteristics that give us the mind of Christ.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). We are to set our minds on things above and we do this by interfacing to the world through the Spirit. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). A Christian is to do everything as if working for the Lord, guided by the Spirit. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Colossians 3:23).
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). The remarkable thing is that the more we center our lives on serving the Lord, the more we are walking with the Spirit; this means more satisfaction and contentment for our souls and less desire for the things of the world. A Christian is content and thankful that the Lord provides for his/her worldly needs. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). If we put the Lord first and live through the Spirit, the Lord will provide us with our worldly needs.
Today live for Christ knowing that the Lord will provide your spiritual and worldly needs, because both are needed to serve him. Pray for both your spiritual needs and for your worldly needs with a thankful heart.
Let’s Pray: Lord, let me take nothing for granted but help me to realize that every perfect gift is from you. Help me to live with a truly thankful heart for all your blessings, and most of all for the Holy Spirit and eternal life through Christ. In Jesus name, Amen