The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV
There is a difference between being alive and having life. Every one with a beating heart and breath in their lungs is alive, physically, but only those who have been given life by the Spirit of God are experiencing the fullness of life.
The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. 1 Corinthians 15:45 NLT
As descendants of Adam, we were all declared alive when we were born, but life doesn’t begin until we are reconciled to God, through the blood of Christ, and we receive the Spirit of God.
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:5-8 NIV
It’s important, if you want to have a joyful life, to understand that we are not just physical beings but also spiritual beings. For the abundant life Jesus talked about has nothing to do with our flesh, and everything to do with our spirit. It’s equally important to understand that we must choose which one will dominate, our flesh or our spirit.
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:17 NIV
We are either going to follow in the footsteps of Adam, who focused on satisfying the desires of his flesh and ended up in sin, or we will follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who denied himself the pleasures of sin and did not allow his flesh to be his master. You can be sure of this, the flesh is a demanding master, for once you gratify if, it demands to be gratified. It will trap you in bondage and drain all your joy.
We have a choice. We can feed our flesh, and it will grow, or we can feed our spirit, and it will grow. One or the other is going to be in control.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NIV
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:13-14 NIV
Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like clothing surrounds and contains your physical body, let Christ keep in check your sinful desires. Let him rule over your life, your thoughts, your desires. Let the Spirit of God control your spirit. Move in the direction of what the Spirit desires and away from what your flesh desires.
Check out what Jesus said in John 6:63.
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you–they are full of the Spirit and life.
John 6:63 NIV
It’s the Spirit who will give you joy, not the flesh! If you want to live a satisfied, abundant life, focus on Jesus. Let his words penetrate your heart and your mind. Focus on them day and night, for they are full of the Spirit and life!