I read this illustration this morning that just really hit home for me. It started out by pointing out how "the real culprit that hinders our usefulness to God is any manifestations of the flesh in our lives." We cannot be sensitive to the flesh that rules in someone else's life when we are living a fleshly life ourselves. It then continued with this example......
Most people who smoke do not realize how keenly nonsmokers can smell cigarette smoke. A smoker may go into a nonsmoking building and try to light up in the restroom for a couple of quick-puffs. He does not think that others will smell it because of the exhaust fans in the bathroom. Every nonsmoker in the area can tell within minutes, however, that someone has lit a cigarette. The smoker doesn't smell smoke as keenly as the nonsmoker.
The same is true when we are indulging in the flesh. Our impact is a poor example and we are less apt to notice the fleshly heart of someone else. We will not pick up on the attitudes, words, or choices the reveal a self-centered heart (that of our own and someone else's.) Fleshly living will only become further entrenched in our hearts making any change in the future that much harder to make. Just like a smoker has a hard time quitting the habit of smoking.
But as a believer we know we are not enslaved to the pull of our flesh. We have the strength of Christ to resist when we ask for His help. So the question that you and I must ask ourselves is......"Have I been listening to God as He has tried to disciple me by His Spirit into a life toward spiritual maturity and usefulness to Him?" Ouch! Help me, Lord!
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