Thursday 6 October 2011

Sowing to the flesh

To 'sow to the flesh' is to pander to it, to cosset, cuddle and
stroke it, instead of crucifying it. The seeds we sow are
largely thoughts and deeds. Every time we allow our mind to
harbour a grudge, nurse a grievance, entertain an impure
fantasy, or wallow in self-pity, we are sowing to the flesh.
Every time we linger in bad company whose insidious influence we
know we cannot resist, every time we lie in bed when we ought to
be up and praying, every time we read pornographic literature,
every time we take a risk which strains our self-control, we are
sowing, sowing, sowing to the flesh. Some Christians sow to the
flesh every day and wonder why they do not reap holiness.John Stott

2 comments:

Ρωμανός ~ Romanós said...

Christ gets only the fleeting moments, the chronic leftovers, of our lives. We stay with Him and in stillness hear His voice as little as we can. Even when we follow Him intentionally, our following is at least half in good intentions not carried out. We excuse in ourselves every little fault and then act surprised when caught in the act. 'I don't know what came over me! I never do that, as a rule!'

Thanks, brother, for posting these wonderful reminders, never to accuse, but to awaken, us to a greater day that is always filled with the grace of Jesus. The Church is what salvation looks like, as Fr Stephen recently put it, and though the story will probably have a happy ending, getting there is anything but smooth sailing.

God grant to us a worthy repentance, and to meet Him with joy and not shame at His coming.

Hope you and your beloved family and friends are well.

Andrew Kenny said...

Thanks Romanos.I appreciate the comment.