Scripture to Read: Genesis 25:21-34
The name Jacob, in Hebrew, means “crafty, deceitful, tricky.” So, from the onset, Jacob’s sin nature (his fleshly nature) was bent toward being deceitful. Each one of us is born with a sinful nature. We saw in yesterday’s devotion, in Romans 3:23, that we have all sinned. We also know what temptation(s) we struggle with the most because of our sinful nature. We understand the spiritual battles we face each day because our fleshly (sin) nature is still very much alive. Jacob’s fleshly (sin) nature was being deceitful and we see it come forth in Genesis 25:27-34. Esau also had a fleshy nature because he was born in sin as well. Esau’s fleshly nature was selfishness and pride. We see this when Esau sold his birthright to Jacob, which he did not have a right to sell, to fill his stomach with some food. We also see Esau’s pride when he chooses to marry outside of the tribe of his people and he brought grief to Isaac (his dad) and Rebekah (his mom) (Genesis 26:34-35). If we do not crucify our fleshy desires daily, we will make decisions based on how we feel and not based on God’s Truth. We will settle for a decision that satisfies our fleshly desires but grieves the Holy Spirit of God within us (Ephesians 4:30). Every decision we make results in either producing fruit for God or producing fruit for our flesh. The choice is ours to make, so we must choose wisely.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about your fleshly desires and making choices to honor Him?
2. What do you need to do to die to your flesh each day and walk in the Spirit?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!