Get Moving

Here, in Matthew 26:38-41, we find that man is made up of body (“flesh”), “soul,” and “spirit.” The regenerated spirit in man is “willing” to serve and worship God, but is hindered by the “weak” flesh.

The flesh can not do anything of its own except hinder the work and moving of the spirit. The weaker the flesh the more hindrance to the will of the spirit. So, man’s spirit alone is not enough to move the flesh into action. It must be moved in relationship to the effect the soul has on the spirit.

The soul is sealed and delivered from the flesh (Eph. 1; Col. 2). It has the power of the blood of Christ and the protection of the Holy Ghost to keep it from sin and the effects of the flesh. Therefore, the spirit of man must be moved by the power of God, which in turn moves the flesh into action.

When man’s spirit follows the leadership and desires of the flesh, it will fall into temptation and deception (at the expense of Christ). When the spirit of man follows the leadership and desires of the Holy Spirit, it will bring forth fruit and good works (at the expense of the flesh).

The disciples are hearing and learning of this for the first time just as the Lord Jesus Christ is about to be arrested and crucified. We have nearly 2,000 years of Christian experience and knowledge, but all are under the same influence and none would have done anything different. Nevertheless, there are things we can do differently if we would learn to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh.

Galatians 5:16-17