When the Flesh Resists the Righteousness of God (Part 1)

# Living in the Spirit

## When the Flesh Resists the Righteousness of God (Part 1)

There are two statements in Scripture that help us understand why a believer can know the Word of God and yet struggle to experience its reality in daily life.

James 1:20 says, "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

Romans 8:7 says, "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."

These two statements reveal something important about living in the Spirit: the flesh does not cooperate with the righteous work God desires to accomplish in and through us.

### The Anger of Man Does Not Work the Righteousness of God

What does James mean when he says that the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God?

God's righteousness is not only what God has made us in Christ; it also speaks of the righteous works that God desires to accomplish in us and through us. The works of the Lord are righteous.

Therefore, when anger controls our response, God's righteous work cannot operate through us in that situation.

But is it only anger?

What about resentment? What about bitterness, envy, jealousy, lies, hatred, and the other works of the flesh?

Do these things work the righteousness of God?

No.

They become hindrances to the work of transformation and to every good work the Holy Spirit intends to accomplish in us and through us.

### When the Flesh Resists the Spirit

Anger, bitterness, resentment, envy, and jealousy are not merely undesirable attitudes. When we continually yield to them, they become expressions of the flesh that resist the operation of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

When the Spirit is resisted, we cannot experience the fullness of His operation in our daily lives.

This is why our trials and tests are so important spiritually. Many of the situations that test us are also opportunities for Christ to be expressed through us.

Someone may offend us, and suddenly we have an opportunity to express patience.

Someone may treat us unfairly, and we have an opportunity to express Christ.

We may be placed under pressure, and we have an opportunity to demonstrate the peace of God.

But if anger, resentment, bitterness, or jealousy takes control, we fail the opportunity.

And when we repeatedly fail these opportunities, we also miss the spiritual growth and the blessings that may be wrapped up in them — yes, those blessings that come like refreshments from the Lord, the way an employer gives out packages to employees: bonuses and the like.

We remain in the same place, going round and round in circles. Our experiences become inconsistent. We know the Word, but we are not allowing the Word to govern our responses.

### The Crown of Life and Spiritual Victory

James 1:12 says that the person who endures temptation receives the crown of life.

The crown speaks of victory and recognition for overcoming. In practical life, spiritual victories produce corresponding blessings and benefits as we learn to walk in God's ways.

This is why the believer must learn to rid himself of the works of the flesh and live in the liberty that Christ has provided.

Galatians 5:17 describes the conflict:

*"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh."*

Every test, therefore, can become an opportunity for either the flesh or the Spirit to govern our response.

Living in the Spirit means learning to recognize these moments and yield ourselves to the Spirit rather than allowing the flesh to dictate our actions.

Hassan Thomas Nenger Author, *My Divine Identity as the Righteousness of God* Living in the Spirit Series