The Motive of the Spirit

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. — GAL. v. 16,

“2T is of no use to attempt the weaning from one joy except through another

: joy. The lusts of the flesh are pleasures; it is a shame that we need to say so, but it is true. How then shall we be cured of these pleasures? Paul says that we can only be cured of them on the principle of homceopathy — by creating a like desire in the higher parts of our nature; the lust of the flesh can be counteracted only by a longing of the spirit. How different are God’s methods from mine; I am always seeking to heal badness by restrictions; I would keep my brother from evil by tying his hands. I forget that mere prohibition makes the heart beat quicker; the tree is never so dear to me as when a voice says “Thou shalt not eat.” It is a fearful thing when the unclean spirit has gone out and the clean spirit has not yet come in; my house then is left unto me desolate. Who shall remove the desolation? Who shall lift me out of these dry places where I wander and where protest against my bereavement? Nothing can do it but a new love — no pains, no chains, no threats, no prisons; my restraint will be but the place of my torment from which I shall cry for water to cool my tongue. If I would forget the past, father Abraham, or some other ministering spirit must bring me the draught of a purer water, whereof they that taste shall never thirst again. If I would quench the lusts of the flesh I must walk in the Spirit.

Spirit of love, Thou canst set me free; Thou canst quench the thirst of my lower soul. I cannot keep my heart from evil by merely ceasing to think; if the door of thought be unguarded the unclean spirit will return. I want something to fill the vacancy; I want Thee. My eye has been long gazing on impurity and it will not be cured by being sent into darkness; lift upon it the light of Thy countenance and it shall be safe. My ear has been long listening to discord, and it will not be healed by being draped in silence; let it hear Thy voice upon the waters and it shall have melody evermore. My hand has been long raised in wrath against my brother, and it will mot be redeemed by being put in chains; let it be compelled to bear Thy cross and it will hurt no living thing. Come, Thou fire of heaven, and extinguish the fire of hell. Thy love can burn up all contrary loves. Thou art the only fire by which the bush of life is not consumed. The lust of the flesh weakens me, wearies me. But Thy burning makes me stronger day by day. It consumes my care but it preserves me. It destroys my selfishness but it magnifies myself. Like the three men in the fiery furnace I feel that a fourth power is added to me when, O Spirit, I walk in Thee.