The Carnal Self

HonorBound Devotion: March 9, 2010

Read James 1:14-15 – But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

If a man feeds his carnal desires, then he will become a slave to those desires. The truth about sin is it will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you have the ability to pay. The carnal self within each of us never fully dies, it lies in wait on something to inflame it. The Scriptures talk about mortifying the deeds of the flesh. You feed the flesh and it will overpower you, take control and drag you through life. There are two ways to win over the carnal self. One is to not feed it through your eyes, ears, mouth, feelings or touch. The gates of your spirit should be closed to the entrance of the erotic and erroneous. The second way to control the carnal self is to feed your spirit the things of God. The Word, prayer, devotion, holy living and a sanctified life will cause you to desire more of God and less of the world. You empty your life of evil by filling your life with God and His works.

– David Raley serves as the Field Representative for Light for the Lost.