Chapter 1 A Consecrated Life - Far Eastern Bible College

thought must make us all the more excited to be transformed. Let us
yield ourselves fully to this metamorphosis of our lives, in order that we
may gradually become inwardly beautiful, exhibiting all the grace and
beauty that is found in Christ. I would like us to consider now what we
need to do in order to be transformed. There are four basic steps in this
transforming process:
I. Make No Provision for the Flesh
Romans 13:14 says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” 1 John
2:16–17 says,
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the
world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he
that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
There are four ways for us to overcome the lusts of the flesh:
a. Be settled in your convictions: That immorality of any form is evil
and a hateful sin to God. Don’t make exceptions or excuses for
yourself.
b. Starve the urge and do not feed it. Deliberately avoid any thing that
will excite the desires of the flesh, especially books, magazines,
newspapers.
c. Sublimate the urge by a greater desire: occupy yourself with other
pursuits that are worthwhile. The best desire that you can use to
sublimate the urge is the desire to love God with all your heart, soul
and mind. Saturate your mind with spiritual things. Isaiah 26:3 says,
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.”
d. Subdue the urge through Christ’s power. Philippians 4:13 says, “I
can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” The next
three steps tell us how we can be transformed through what God
has provided for us.
66 A Consecrated Life