What is it with all the infatuation with Zombies? Perhaps it’s just my age but I don’t get it. Then again, after some reflection this morning I think perhaps the Lord put it in perspective.
Paul struggled with a “thorn in his side” that theologians have tried to discover since he admitted it (2 Cor 12:7). While I certainly don’t have the answer, and in fact it really doesn’t matter what it was, the Lord used it to show me something this morning about an issue I struggle with… we all struggle with.
Paul made it abundantly clear that our “flesh” was crucified on the Cross with Jesus:
Rom 6:4-6 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
And yet Paul suffered as we do with a Dead Man Walking:
Rom 7:15-16 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Seems like a paradox?
Well, it’s not as mysterious as we think it is. While I’m quite certain that this is not what the Word means when it tells us to raise the dead, in fact it’s what we do. Our flesh has indeed died on the Cross with Christ but we continually battle with it; we continually raise it from the dead as we submit to it’s old desires. Look at it this way. Our soul was once controlled by our flesh (by all its wants). But now we have a new master and that is our spirit, and so the battle rages. While our flesh may be dead, our soul remembers all the things that it used to desire and it still wants them. It’s no different than any other addition… once it has been overcome it takes constant attention to keep it from taking back control.
So, as I consider my struggle with my selfish desires, I need to keep that picture in my mind. It’s up to me to ensure that I don’t, in affect, raise the dead. That I don’t allow my old soulish nature to overrule the power I have been given in my spirit.
Rom 8:1-2 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
I think the bottom line is that old “thorn” in my side is nothing more than my soul trying to raise the dead; to give life to my old soulish (selfish) desires. And every time I allow that to happen I’m faced with a self-centered Zombie… a Dead Man Walking. The picture the Lord painted for me this morning isn’t going to resolve the issue. However, it’s a great reminder for me to be on guard for that Zombie and to put it back in the grave where it belongs with the Word of God.
Our mind is the devil’s battleground and as long as we are here on earth we’re going to be faced with that Zombie from time-to-time. But the awesome news is that God has given us all we need to deal with it in victory. So the next time you see a Dead Man Walking in your life, turn to the Word… turn to the Truth that tells you he is dead. And then do something about it…
2 Cor 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.