The Big Picture: yield

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Sin Does Not Originate in the Shell of Flesh

You may have spent years trying to avoid sin by managing your flesh — by disciplining your body, abstaining from alcohol, avoiding certain places, dressing modestly, fasting regularly, or following routines that seem spiritual and safe. You may have believed that if you could just control your physical actions, you would be free from sin’s grip. But despite your efforts, you still find yourself wrestling with thoughts you didn’t invite, desires you didn’t want, and reactions that seem to rise from somewhere deeper than your skin and bone. And that’s because sin does not originate in the shell of your flesh. It is not in the skin or muscle or bone. The flesh is weak, yes, and under the curse, but it cannot sin without the soul’s consent.

Your body is not the source of rebellion. It is the instrument. The flesh carries out what the soul commands. And when you try to train the flesh without renewing the soul, you are polishing the surface while the root remains untouched. The truth is that sin begins in the soul — in the mind, the will, and the heart — and it manifests through the body only after the inner man has chosen to rebel, to ignore, or to disobey the truth of God’s Word.

Scripture confirms this clearly. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19). “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). These verses do not point to the body as the source of sin. They point to the soul — the place where knowledge is either received or rejected, where obedience is either chosen or refused.

The Mirror, the Sword, and the Seed

Most people treat the Bible as a motivational quote—a quick pick-me-up, a soothing balm for the moment—when in truth, it was never meant to merely comfort us, but to confront us, to cut deep, to reveal what lies beneath the surface of our well-managed selves. The Word of God is not a decorative verse for the fridge door but a mirror that shows us who we really are, a sword that divides between soul and spirit, a seed that demands soil, surrender, and time.

If your reading feels dry or distant lately, don’t rush past it or blame your mood—pause instead, and ask the harder question: “What is this passage exposing in me that I’d rather not see?” Because conviction, though uncomfortable, is not the enemy of grace—it is its companion. It is the Spirit’s gentle way of saying, “There’s more for you than this.”

We are not called to read for reassurance alone, but for renewal. Not just to feel better, but also, more importantly, to be changed. And that change begins when we stop treating scripture as a checklist or a pick-me-up and start receiving it as a living conversation with the One who knows us fully and loves us deeply.

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17, KJV)

So today, let the Word do its work. Let it search you, stir you, and sanctify you. Not because you’re failing—but because you’re growing.

Unity through Humility

While writing Philippians 2:2-5, Paul encourages unity by presenting this body of believers an image of the selfless mind of Christ. He writes,

“Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

At the core of unity, is “the same doctrine”. Doctrine, a set of principles that defines the grace life, when believed and maintained through a common understanding of its teachings, will produce unity and harmony. Paul confirms this in his letter to the Corinthians:

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” - 1Cor.1:10

It is this same doctrine that promotes unity that Paul uses to instruct the Philippians in humility. If the doctrine in the minds of the saints are the bricks, then humility is the mortar that binds them together in a strong and immovable unity.

Let nothing be done through strife (conflict) or vainglory (pride and boasting); but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Doctrine and Discernment (Part Three): The Spiritual Summary of Romans 14

In this series, we’ve been tracing the spectrum of how believers steward scripture. Part 1 began with the Bereans—those noble searchers who examined the Word daily with precision and care. They represent the extreme left: doctrinal accuracy, scriptural testing, and intellectual rigour. Part 2 took us to the opposite end—Romans 14, where Paul speaks of accommodation, leniency, and the grace required in disputable matters. Now, in part 3, we remain in Romans 14, but we shift from the practical to the spiritual. This is the summary of the chapter. This is the heart of the matter.

The body of Christ is not a physical institution—it is a spiritual entity. Our walk is not defined by meat or holy days, nor by outward rituals or religious customs. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These are the spiritual markers of a believer. These are the things that matter. Our focus must be heavenward. Our minds are to be set on things above, not on the disputable matters below. True service to God is not found in external observance, but in yielding to His Word and walking in the Spirit. That is what pleases Him.

Yet Paul does not leave us in the clouds. He brings us back to the ground—to our horizontal relationship with our brother. The middle portion of this passage reminds us that liberty must be tempered by love. We are to accommodate the weaker brother, not by diluting truth, but by sacrificing our freedoms for his sake. We do not flaunt our convictions. We do not provoke offence. We seek peace. We pursue edification. We lay down our rights so that he might stand. This is not compromise—it is compassion. It is the quiet strength of spiritual maturity.

Pleasing God in the Right Dispensation: A Contrast of Hebrews and Romans

Many Christians today are sincere but sincerely confused. They read Hebrews and Romans as if they’re saying the same thing to the same people. But they’re not. These two epistles are foundational—but for different audiences, in different dispensations, with different instructions for how to walk in a way that pleases God. Before we get into comparing 'what pleases God' between the two letters, let me start with a generalisation of Hebrews versus Romans.

Hebrews is written to Israel, specifically to Jewish believers preparing to endure the coming tribulation. It speaks from the framework of law and prophecy, calling them to hold fast, to resist apostasy, and to demonstrate their faith through visible obedience. It warns against returning to temple sacrifices—especially when the Antichrist reinstates them—and speaks of “the world to come” (Hebrews 2:5) and “the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25), pointing clearly to prophetic fulfilment. Christ is presented as the true High Priest, replacing the Levitical system, and Israel is called to come “without the camp” (Hebrews 13:13), echoing the flight from Jerusalem in Matthew 24:15. This is not Church doctrine—it is tribulation instruction for Israel under law and prophecy.

Romans, by contrast, is written to the Body of Christ, and it operates under grace and mystery. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13), lays out the believer’s spiritual identity in Christ, centred on justification by faith, sanctification, and the renewing of the mind. Romans reveals the mystery that was hidden in ages past (Romans 16:25), and though it addresses both Jews and Gentiles, it does so within the context of the Church—not national Israel. It teaches us to walk in the Spirit, not striving for acceptance through performance, but resting in the finished work of Christ. Our salvation is not dependent on the law but is entirely under grace (Romans 6:14).

Transformed to Prove – Resisting Reprobation (Part 5)

Our journey so far has traced the spiritual tension between proving and reprobation. Part 1 introduced the scale of the mind—where every believer is called to prove what is acceptable to God, lest they drift toward reprobation. Part 2 explored the Greek roots of dokimazō and adokimos, showing how approval and rejection hinge on spiritual testing. Part 3 reminded us that we live in a season of probation—a time to respond to truth before the test ends. Part 4 revealed that love is the key to discernment, enabling us to approve what is excellent. Now, in Part 5, we turn to the believer’s response: to be renewed in mind and disciplined in life. These two are not just spiritual goals—they are the very means by which proving is made possible and reprobation is avoided.

Renewal: The Mind’s Defence Against Reprobation

Paul’s charge in Romans 12:2 is clear:

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Renewal is the spiritual antidote to conformity. The world presses in with patterns that dull discernment and suppress truth—exactly the conditions that lead to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:28). But the renewed mind resists that drift. It is reshaped by truth, refined by Scripture, and realigned with God’s will. This renewal is not optional—it is essential. Without it, the mind remains vulnerable to deception, unable to prove what is “good, and acceptable, and perfect.”

Love That Approves is the Heart of Discernment (Part 4)

As we journey through this study, we’ve uncovered a compelling spiritual progression. In Part 1, we introduced the scale of the mind—caught between proving and reprobation. Part 2 explored the Greek roots of dokimazō and adokimos, revealing the tension between approval and rejection. Then in Part 3, we recognised that every believer lives in a season of probation—a time of testing, where the mind is being shaped by its response to truth. Now, we turn to a vital truth that undergirds the entire process: love is the key to approving rightly. Without love, discernment falters. Without love, judgment becomes harsh. But when love abounds in knowledge and judgment, the believer is equipped to prove what pleases God.

Love That Discerns

Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9-10 is both profound and practical:

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent…”

Here, love is not sentimental—it is intelligent. It is not blind—it is discerning. The Greek word for “judgment” (aisthēsis) speaks of moral insight, the ability to perceive what is spiritually valuable. And “approve” (dokimazō) again calls us to test and affirm what is excellent. But the condition is clear: love must abound first. Without love, knowledge becomes cold. Without love, judgment becomes critical. But when love abounds, the believer sees with clarity and responds with grace.

This is not a love that ignores truth—it is a love that seeks it. It is a love that discerns rightly because it desires what is good for others and what is pleasing to God. Paul does not separate love from doctrine—he binds them together. The more we love, the more we are able to judge rightly (discern wisely, or perceive clearly). And the more we judge rightly, the more we are able to approve what is excellent.

Living on Probation: The Season of Testing (Part 3)

Before we continue, let us briefly recall the journey so far. In Part 1, we introduced the spiritual scale of the mind—a line stretching between proving and reprobation—and how every believer is called to discern and demonstrate the will of God. In Part 2, we examined the Greek roots of dokimazō (prove) and adokimos (reprobate), revealing how Paul’s language frames a divine test of the mind. Now, we turn to the space in between: the season of probation, where proving must take place and where the outcome is still being shaped.

Understanding Probation as a Season of Grace

Probation, in its biblical sense, is not a sentence of punishment but a season of opportunity. It is the time in which a person is given the chance to respond to truth, to walk in obedience, and to be found faithful. It is the state of being tested—not yet approved, not yet rejected. It is the tension of grace and responsibility. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines probation as “the state of man in the present life, in which he has the opportunity of proving his character and being qualified for a happier state.” This definition aligns beautifully with Scripture, which consistently presents life as a proving ground for the soul.

Though the word “probation” is not explicitly used in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout its pages. From Eden to the wilderness, from parables to epistles, God has always given His people time to choose, to yield, and to be tested.

Walking the Line Between Proving and Reprobation (Part 1)

Introduction to the Series

Many believers know they are called to follow God’s will—but few realize that Scripture presents this calling on a scale, a line of spiritual measure that runs between two vastly different minds: one that proves what is good and acceptable in God’s eyes, and one that becomes reprobate, rejected after failing the test. This article begins a crucial series exploring this forgotten scale of the mind, rooted in Paul’s epistles and illuminated through careful word study and real-life application.

Over the next few parts, we’ll uncover what it means to prove the will of God, how to recognize the drift toward spiritual disqualification, and how to realign the mind through intentional renewal. You’ll be equipped with the biblical insight and encouragement needed to stay sharp, faithful, and approved—not just in knowledge, but in daily walk and worship.

Our Ongoing Transformation through God's Word

Salvation is not just about believing the gospel and receiving the forgiveness of sins—it is the beginning of a lifelong transformation. The moment we trust in Christ, our eternal destiny is secured, but God does not stop there. He begins a good work in us, and that work must continue and grow as we yield to His Word and walk in the Spirit.

Paul assures us in Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

This good work is not about our outward circumstances; it is about the inner renewal of the believer. God is shaping us, preparing us, increasing us for our vocation in the Body of Christ. We are not passive in this process—we must engage with His Word, studying our doctrine, allowing it to work in us, and choosing daily to walk by its instruction.

Renewed Day by Day

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

Adorning the Gospel: Living a Life That Reflects the Word of God

The concept of "adorning the gospel of Christ" invites every believer to live in such a way that their lives amplify the beauty, value, and majesty of God’s Word. It is a call to let our actions reflect the transforming power of the gospel—not through our own strength but through our submission to the influence and direction of God’s Word within us. As Paul’s doctrine teaches, the lives we live in obedience to God’s truth can make the doctrine of our Saviour attractive, inviting others to see the glory of Christ through us.

What Does It Mean to Adorn the Gospel?

The word "adorn" carries a rich meaning. Derived from the same root as the term for "cosmetics," it implies arranging something to enhance its natural beauty and order. When we adorn the gospel, we showcase its beauty through the way we live, much like a jeweler arranging precious gems to display their brilliance. The beauty of the gospel is inherent, but our lives can reflect and magnify it, drawing others to Christ.

Paul emphasizes this principle in his instructions to bondservants in Titus 2:9-10. Through three key lessons, we learn how to adorn the gospel:

Yield versus Obey

The other day I was reading Romans 6 and the words “yield” and “obey” caught my attention. Before I pulled up an online dictionary to look up the word definitions, (which if you are interested, I add at the end of this article*), I got to thinking what the words were telling me. Let’s first look at the passage and then I’ll elaborate.

Rom.6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? [17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

I looked at that statement, “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey”, and the word “yield” just bounced off the screen. I got to thinking that so many people see the bible as a book of rules to obey, but Paul here was using the word “yield”, not “obey”. As I continued to think about these two words, my mind veered to the two corresponding road signs and what they meant. If I drove a car and approached a yield sign, it was informing me that I should slow down and carefully observe my surroundings and then continue if all was safe and clear. It did not matter if I slowed down or stopped, but what mattered was if it was safe to continue. On the other hand, if I approach a stop sign, I must stop, even if everything is clear around me. There is a law connected to the stop sign whereas a yield sign allows me to use my own discretion. If I’m cautious but don’t stop at a yield sign, I don’t break the law, but if I don’t stop at a stop sign, I’m breaking the law, and I can be fined or incarcerated.

Verse Study: Galatians 2:20-21

Having posted the “fill in the blanks” puzzle yesterday, let’s actually study out this passage in Gal.2:20-21 and find out what Paul is teaching us.

Gal 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. [21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;

This is a statement of faith. Though we have never experienced the actual cross ourselves, we must reckon that we too have died to this flesh life, even though we continue to live in it. You might live, but your mind needs to believe that you died with Christ. You must come to reckon it as true. How do we do that? Stare at the phrase. Study it out: cross referencing this with similar verses Paul writes to gain deeper understanding of it. Meditate upon it. Let it sink into your mind until it become as real and accepted as the physical objects around you. When we grow in knowledge of the truth it will start to naturally manifest in you and you will start to bear the fruit of that knowledge through your mind becoming renewed to the truth.

Start this lesson series here:
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 12 - Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?)

2Cor.6:11-13 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. (12) Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. (13) Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

In the passage above, Paul is urging the Corinthians to be more open and receptive to his message. He expresses his affection and fatherhood towards them, desiring to bless and educate them, but points out that their hearts are closed and restricting them from fully receiving his teachings. Paul emphasizes that the restriction is not from his side but from their own hearts and attitude, and he encourages them to open up and respond to the love and openness he has shown, so that he can speak to them without limitations and have them receive the truth he could provide.

We have come to a point in Romans where this same open heartedness and faith is necessary to fully benefit from what Paul is going to teach us. We are about to step up in spirit. We are about to go into deeper spiritual truth. We are going to start receiving information that requires our obedience and our commitment if we are to advance in our Christian walk and in our faith. Is your heart enlarged? Make sure that in no way are you restricted in your reception of the inspired truth that Paul is about to give.

Abounding grace

We have spent time in Romans 1 to 5 concerning justification, the first part of salvation, and utterly saturated in God’s grace. If it were not for God’s grace, and the work of Christ done through grace, we as believers, would have no chance to be recipients of salvation. All the way through Romans 1 to 5, Paul has mentioned the grace of God in the gospel of His Son and our absolute dependency upon it. As a reminder, here are the verses concerning ‘grace’ in Romans 5,

Manifesting true righteousness through obedience to Christ

Romans 6:16 presents a profound concept: "Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness."

This verse is intriguing, and many people miss the peculiarity of it. Take a look at what it says. One is either a servant of sin, which leads to death, or a servant of obedience, which leads to righteousness. You might be persuaded to interpret the verse saying that one is either a servant of sin leading to death or a servant of righteousness leading to life. However, this interpretation is contrary to what Paul taught. Let me explain. Although Paul, as pertaining to the old covenant said, "For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them", Rom.10:5, and to the Galatians he said, "for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law", look what he said pertaining to our grace doctrine, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (21) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.", Gal 2:20-21. You see, Paul didn't say that you serve sin unto death or righteousness unto life; there's something else you have to obey, and its obedience. But what does that mean?

Romans 5:19 tells us: "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

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