A consistent phrase in the description of the consequences of the ongoing war with Iran is “the disruption of the supply chain.” The disruption has made deliveries of good vital to the economic survival of nations very costly, and in the case of desperately needy populations, multiplied hardships unto death.

It should not be difficult to see how this applies to living a life that is pleasing to God; disrupt, sever “the supply chain” that feeds the flesh, judging from Romans 8:5-9 TLB

Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death because the old sinful nature within us is against God. It never did obey God’s laws and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their old sinful selves, bent on following their old evil desires, can never please God. But you are not like that. You are controlled by your new nature if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that if anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ living in him, he is not a Christian at all.) Romans 8:5-9 TLB

Several examples come to mind of the two sides of the pathway:

1. Achan — in Joshua 7:20-21 TLB, note verse 21 in particular, Achan said, “for I saw a beautiful robe imported from Babylon…I wanted them so much that I took them…”
2. Gehazi — in 2 Kings 5 comparing verse 15c with verses 20-24, again silver (money) and garments!
3. Joseph — he was faced with an invitation to “free” sex and in secret by a whorish and beautiful woman but fled, while Samson face the same and fell

The key to running this Christian race to win is well described by Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:4-7.

And as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in worldly affairs, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. Follow the Lord’s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize. Work hard like a farmer who gets paid well if he raises a large crop. Think over these three illustrations, and may the Lord help you to understand how they apply to you. 2 Timothy 2:4-7 TLB

Severing the supply line to the flesh is as radical as described by the Lord in Matthew 5:29-30 – eye and hand, vital to a man’s functionality, gouged out and severed off.

Beloved, life in these times and environment is saturated with seductive influences, and cannot be eliminated. Paul’s instruction to Timothy essentially was when you cannot remove the influence remove yourself. Don’t just walk but run, because your carnal mind will only give you a few seconds before it decides for you. Do what needs to be done and do it quickly. No hesitation, no deviation, no procrastination. There is no way to argue, reason or negotiate with sin.
 
Whatever your personal battle – gambling (lotto), alcohol, drugs, wrong relationships or internet vices (porn, mind-numbing and time-wasting social media) whose purpose is to destroy you, confront and eradicate the supply chain. Selah.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele