Vigilance against sin is the topic, today, along with more on why there was warfare against Canaan. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Jamaica” (Level 1 with 28 points, a member since September 25, 2012) posted the following:
What do they mean when they say 'the soul is willing but the flesh is weak'?
The Bible often uses a figure of speech to describe the outcome of things and certain events that went on in the past and are going on right now. So what does it mean when they say your 'soul is willing but' your 'flesh is weak'? Please answer me that.
THE BATTLE AXE: Why Did the Judges Fight? (10/19/2012)—Many of those who left Egypt with Moses were proud, selfish and unspiritual. To them, the conflict to gain the promised land was purely a human struggle for property and wealth that depended solely upon desire, desperation and fear. Telling their story is not the purpose of Scripture. Rightly understood, the holy writings focus entirely upon the workings of Almighty GOD upon the earth, through mankind. During the 40 years that GOD lead the covenant people through undeveloped areas and uninhabited wasteland, GOD destroyed every man who had left Egypt, pledged themselves in covenant, and then disobeyed and rebelled. Only Joshua and Caleb, two who were sent to explore the land as spies, and the offspring of those who left Egypt actually set foot in, and established their own homes within the promised land. Even Moses was denied. Later, many of the tribes made treaties and agreed to receive tribute from the enemies of GOD. They did not completely expel those who had broken covenant from the land as they had been commanded. As a result GOD allowed his enemies to continue as the enemies of Israel both surrounding and within the borders of their homeland (see, for example, Joshua 15: 63, Joshua 17: 12-13, Joshua 22: 13 and Judges 1: 21-33, KJV).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (Matthew 26: 40-42, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Spirit by Measure (09/22/2012); A Man in Heaven? (09/23/2012); Binder 15: Even From Everlasting (10/12/2011); Will in Heaven? (03/03/2011); Jephthah’s Oath? (03/04/2011)
Here are some ideas Christ has been willing to share among his followers:
During the night before Jesus was arrested and crucified, he cautioned the apostles to be prayerful and vigilant at all times. They were to stay alert, and recognize when they were being lead into peculiar situations that would challenge, and test the depth of their commitment and understanding. Until the falling of the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD, the primary tool given to mankind to make sin known and visible had been various forms of divine law. Law was “given a human face” through mechanisms that included the priesthood by heads of families (Patriarchs such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac), the covenant of Moses, the system of judges (captains over 10’s, 20’s, 50’s, 100’s, 1000’s), and a line of kings. Jesus Christ provided in the flesh a perfect and complete presentation of the righteousness and sacred spirit that are conveyed to mankind through the divine law.
Sin was first discovered among the holy angels. However, sin is not a spirit-being, is not spirit matter, and does not operate upon living spirit. Sin is not a carnal, material, or physical thing; and sin has no dimension (e.g., height, length, shape, size, weight) or substance (e.g., matter, particles, stuff, etc.). Nevertheless sin has direction, effect, and presence. We could say, “sin is nothing”; yet, contrary to intelligence, logic, and reason, sin may dominate the will of created beings and living creatures. Sin is not created by GOD, or by the living. Sin does not obey divine will; neither is the will of GOD subject to sin. Sin opposes the existence of GOD, of divine Creation, of divine law, of eternal life, and of all that is. Apart from awareness generated from GOD, created beings and living creatures cannot detect sin as foreign and separate from ones own being; and repeatedly obedience to sin is embraced as natural and normal.
In their creation, the holy angels were supplied with the total measure of authority, knowledge and spirit that they could receive throughout their continuance. (The angels are neither mortal nor immortal, and complete their existence only by immersion in holy fire.) In the creation of humans, divine spirit was imparted as a “breath of life.” While the holy angels do not acquire knowledge by experience as humans (i.e., learn and grow), they can be influenced by one another, and by mankind. Through Jesus Christ, provision has been made that mankind may receive additional deposits of Spirit that enable discernment of, and resistance to sin.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the flesh dominates human awareness as appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, craving for sex), sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching) and mind (e.g., desire, fantasy, imagination). As events that operate in time, the elements of flesh “come and go.” Thus, the weakness of the flesh includes exhaustion, immaturity, instability, malnutrition, and mortality.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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