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  RELIGION IN THE FLESH
  by Andrew Murray
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Summary: Religion in the flesh leads to pride, selfishness, and becoming
servants of sin, but true spiritual growth and obedience come from
letting the Spirit lead and rule in our lives.

Topics: "Self-Denial", "Spiritual Leadership"
Scripture References: John 4:24, Romans 8:8, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:3, Galatians 5:16-17, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6

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DESCRIPTION
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Andrew Murray emphasizes the dangers of relying on 'religion in the
flesh,' warning against the pride and selfishness that can arise from
self-righteousness, as exemplified by the Pharisees. He highlights the
Galatians' struggle with trying to perfect their faith through fleshly
works rather than through the Spirit, cautioning that such an approach
leads to bondage and conflict among believers. Murray asserts that true
worship and obedience can only occur when the Spirit leads, and that
self-denial must begin in our relationship with God before it can
manifest in our interactions with others.

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CONTENT
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Do we not know, how the Pharisees, with 'self-righteousness and carnal
religion, fell into pride and selfishness, and became the servants of
sin? Was it not just among the Galatians, of whom Paul asks the question
about perfecting in flesh what was begun in the Spirit, and whom he has
so to warn against the righteousness of works, that the works of the
flesh were so manifest,and that they were in danger of devouring one
another? Satan has no more crafty device for keeping souls in bondage
than inciting them to a religion in the flesh.

He knows that the power of flesh can never please God or conquer sin,
and in due time the flesh that has gained supremacy over the Spirit in
the service of God, will assert and maintain that same supremacy in the
service of sin.

It is only where the Spirit truly and unceasingly has the entire lead
and rule in the life of worship, that it will have the power to lead and
rule in the life of practical obedience. If I am to deny self in:
intercourse with men, to conquer selfishness and temper and want of
love, I must first learn to deny self in the intercourse with God. There
the soul, seat of self, must learn to bow to the Spirit, where God
dwells.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/andrew-murray/religion-in-the-flesh/
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