Biological Urges and How To Overcome The Flesh...

[Edward]

How many biological urges do we have? I thought I had read it was three, but I am having trouble remembering them.

The urge to eat is one I know.
The urge to have sex is another I believe.
what is the other? Or do we actually have more than three?

Is sleeping one of them? It probably is. What about merely sitting and relaxing? An urge to...preserve energy? Would that be related to sleep? I would not think so, because I want to sleep...versus I want to rest but not sleep would seem to make it different.

What do you Brothers & Sisters think?

 

[Edward]

You see, what got me thinking about biological urges is that lately, I have said that, I want to be an overcomer. And I have prayed to be an overcomer. And I am not sure if just meditating on it gave me inspiration, or that the Lord had begun to answer me and pointed me in the direction that will answer my question and prayer...but I realized that, all through scripture it talks to us about overcoming the flesh. To put the flesh behind us. To be dead to the flesh and alive to the Spirit!...

So I think this is a good idea and a good place to start, because the flesh is very persuasive and yells loud (so to speak) when it wants something. Like, I'm hungry! and that in itself is a pretty big stumbling block to many people and Christians alike...I thought that I did not have any eating problems, I've always had a high metabolism and been tall and thin. But in unrelated teachings, the Lord showed me that...I do have a food problem, that I like to eat the best things, and that I spend entirely too much time preparing food...almost as if it could be some sort of an idol to me. And that blew my mind because I knew it was right.

So since then, I have been doing some fasting here and there because not only is it good for us spiritually, but it is good for our body's as well. It let's our stomach shrink back to normal size so we wont feel as hungry as often nor will it take as much food to fill us to a satisfying state.but it's more than that. It detoxifies our system also. and gives it rest.

Fasting is ok, but I'm beginning to realize that it may do even more for us than we thought? Like maybe, overcoming the desires of our flesh body? It brings the flesh into subjection unto us, who are doing it unto our Lord for spiritual reasons. And if our flesh is in subjection then this would help us to...overcome...this flesh!

Somehow I think that if we do not use the extra time we create by (fasting) not having to shop for, prepare for, eat, and clean up that food...for time that we spend with God and in His Word, then the fast might not even be an acceptable fast unto God? We create extra time so let us spend that time with our Lord...If we fast and then just go about our business and not really spend the extra time with God, then...how could that be a good fast? I learned long ago, that fasting is done mainly (spiritually) to invoke the supernatural of God and draw closer to Him. It increases our capacity to receive the presence of our Lord...

So sometimes I wasn't even fasting right. Live and learn. Right?

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

How many biological urges do we have? I thought I had read it was three, but I am having trouble remembering them.

The urge to eat is one I know.
The urge to have sex is another I believe.
what is the other? Or do we actually have more than three?

Is sleeping one of them? It probably is. What about merely sitting and relaxing? An urge to...preserve energy? Would that be related to sleep? I would not think so, because I want to sleep...versus I want to rest but not sleep would seem to make it different.

What do you Brothers & Sisters think?

Try drinking a lot of water and see what happens. You might discover another urge. Especially if you start laughing too much.

 

[Edward]

Try drinking a lot of water and see what happens. You might discover another urge. Especially if you start laughing too much.

That would be thirst I think so I lumped it in with eating. But the biological urge to go to the bathroom can also be very great. But I think those are also linked to eating urge. Unless someone who knows better and why that may come along and correct me on it...but I know what you mean!

I have wondered before...is it possible that, the urge to cheat is actually a biological urge? It sure does happen a lot and many regret it later...so maybe it's a biological urge?

I know that I have said before that I never cheated on my wife for all those years, and it is true to an extent. I never did physically, but I did want to and did in my heart so I was guilty of that in God's eyes. That disappointed me when I learned that. I was pretty proud that I had never cheated on her.

And what about cheating in other ways? Like in a contest or something. I have caught myself, about to begin this or that petty competition and my mind had come up with a way to cheat. Do this do that and you'll win...I've seen it numerous times and it's almost automatic for our mind to consider cheating to win...Is that a biological function of the flesh? Or something else?

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

That would be thirst I think so I lumped it in with eating. But the biological urge to go to the bathroom can also be very great. But I think those are also linked to eating urge. Unless someone who knows better and why that may come along and correct me on it...but I know what you mean!

I have wondered before...is it possible that, the urge to cheat is actually a biological urge? It sure does happen a lot and many regret it later...so maybe it's a biological urge?

I know that I have said before that I never cheated on my wife for all those years, and it is true to an extent. I never did physically, but I did want to and did in my heart so I was guilty of that in God's eyes. That disappointed me when I learned that. I was pretty proud that I had never cheated on her.

And what about cheating in other ways? Like in a contest or something. I have caught myself, about to begin this or that petty competition and my mind had come up with a way to cheat. Do this do that and you'll win...I've seen it numerous times and it's almost automatic for our mind to consider cheating to win...Is that a biological function of the flesh? Or something else?

Hmm,.. you brought up a very interesting point. For me, it's not considered cheating on my fiancée if I think a guy is cute (like the one in my avatar ) because I don't actually love them and I don't want to have sex with them,.. but honestly I never really thought about it whether or not God considers it cheating. If I am being completely honest though (and I am) I know this sounds awful but being the sinner that I am, I don't really care if He does or not because I feel like I'm programmed to find certain guys as attractive. Now I know that the Lord loves me unconditionally, but I still feel really bad for saying that.

 

[Edward]

Hmm,.. you brought up a very interesting point. For me, it's not considered cheating on my fiancée if I think a guy is cute (like the one in my avatar ) because I don't actually love them and I don't want to have sex with them,.. but honestly I never really thought about it whether or not God considers it cheating. If I am being completely honest though (and I am) I know this sounds awful but being the sinner that I am, I don't really care if He does or not because I feel like I'm programmed to find certain guys as attractive. Now I know that the Lord loves me unconditionally, but I still feel really bad for saying that.

I think you would have had to think about it because we've tossed that scripture around many times and you must have read it. It is in

Matthew 5:28
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.../

And this goes for women too. Why would it not? You are right, women (and men) are hard wired to be attracted to certain types of the opposite sex. And not to derail my own thread, but I think that your flesh body just spoke out because you said you don't care how God feels about it...and you are a Sister in Christ and in spirit would not want to offend the Lord...you love the Lord. So...that had to be the flesh talking with it's biological urges. Thank you for making my point!

The flesh is strong and it cares not what the spirit wants, it only cares about what it wants! And another thing Sister, stop calling yourself a sinner. Are you not born again and a servant of the Lord Christ? Who has all sins forgiven, past present and future (with repentance). So you are not a sinner, but a new creature in Christ. You are not a sinner, you are the righteousness of God in Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.../

Romans 3:22
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:.../

See what I mean?
It doesn't mean that you never sin or are perfect. We all stumble. But we have been forgiven.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

I think you would have had to think about it because we've tossed that scripture around many times and you must have read it. It is in

Matthew 5:28
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.../

And this goes for women too. Why would it not? You are right, women (and men) are hard wired to be attracted to certain types of the opposite sex. And not to derail my own thread, but I think that your flesh body just spoke out because you said you don't care how God feels about it...and you are a Sister in Christ and in spirit would not want to offend the Lord...you love the Lord. So...that had to be the flesh talking with it's biological urges. Thank you for making my point!

The flesh is strong and it cares not what the spirit wants, it only cares about what it wants! And another thing Sister, stop calling yourself a sinner. Are you not born again and a servant of the Lord Christ? Who has all sins forgiven, past present and future (with repentance). So you are not a sinner, but a new creature in Christ. You are not a sinner, you are the righteousness of God in Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.../

Romans 3:22
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:.../

See what I mean?
It doesn't mean that you never sin or are perfect. We all stumble. But we have been forgiven.

What a wonderful post and I agree. Most of the time, my body, mind, heart, and spirit seem to all be in some kind of boxing match together because more often than not,.. they never can seem to agree on what I must do as a Christian and what I must not do. It gets awful confusing a lot of the time when my whole entire being is pretty much in a warzone. :/

 

[Edward]

What a wonderful post and I agree. Most of the time, my body, mind, heart, and spirit seem to all be in some kind of boxing match together because more often than not,.. they never can seem to agree on what I must do as a Christian and what I must not do. It gets awful confusing a lot of the time when my whole entire being is pretty much in a warzone. :/

Aint that the truth, lol! And scripture even talks about itthat the flesh carnal mind is enmity with God. It can not accept the spiritual things of God for it is foolishness to it...and Paul sure talked about the war within us, I experience it myself. (You have to pay attention to who is talking within you!)

It is funny sometimes because you should hear my mind giving me logical reasoning about why and how this or that supernatural miracle of God who has helped me very many times, did not happen and was not God, lol! And I know it did and has! Flesh mind does not like our spirit man within us so may not ever agree with him...
(I'm chewing on that one. Maybe our flesh can learn over time to agree with our spirit?) maybe once our spirit man becomes dominant again within us. He might have to agree if our spirit becomes dominant again?!

From what I understand, we have multiple voices within us. The voice of the flesh, the voice of our spirit man (maybe he speaks to us as our conscience?), the voice of the enemy, The Voice of God...and the voice of our mind, where we think and make our decisions from...(.it may in fact be our heart!). So if you're not paying attention then they blur and one thinks its all them. But they are different and they are real, so pay attention!

Sounds pretty out there, huh? Like something only a child could believe. We have to become as a child in order to be able to receive this. So here I am discovering my 2nd childhood!

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Aint that the truth, lol! And scripture even talks about itthat the flesh carnal mind is enmity with God. It can not accept the spiritual things of God for it is foolishness to it...and Paul sure talked about the war within us, I experience it myself. (You have to pay attention to who is talking within you!)

It is funny sometimes because you should hear my mind giving me logical reasoning about why and how this or that supernatural miracle of God who has helped me very many times, did not happen and was not God, lol! And I know it did and has! Flesh mind does not like our spirit man within us so may not ever agree with him...
(I'm chewing on that one. Maybe our flesh can learn over time to agree with our spirit?) maybe once our spirit man becomes dominant again within us. He might have to agree if our spirit becomes dominant again?!

From what I understand, we have multiple voices within us. The voice of the flesh, the voice of our spirit man (maybe he speaks to us as our conscience?), the voice of the enemy, The Voice of God...and the voice of our mind, where we think and make our decisions from...(.it may in fact be our heart!). So if you're not paying attention then they blur and one thinks its all them. But they are different and they are real, so pay attention!

Sounds pretty out there, huh? Like something only a child could believe. We have to become as a child in order to be able to receive this. So here I am discovering my 2nd childhood!

Well the honest truth is that I never completely left my first one.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

You know what's really interesting? It always seems like God has a way of surprising me. Like today in church (I will be writing about this in what I learned in church today as well) we learned all about how the fact that even though we do things to harm our relationship with God and He gets disappointed in us, our relationship can be healed easily if we put our faith in Christ because of the love, forgiveness, and grace that He shows and that He's the only one that can take away our sin.

 

[JLB]

You see, what got me thinking about biological urges is that lately, I have said that, I want to be an overcomer. And I have prayed to be an overcomer. And I am not sure if just meditating on it gave me inspiration, or that the Lord had begun to answer me and pointed me in the direction that will answer my question and prayer...but I realized that, all through scripture it talks to us about overcoming the flesh. To put the flesh behind us. To be dead to the flesh and alive to the Spirit!...

So I think this is a good idea and a good place to start, because the flesh is very persuasive and yells loud (so to speak) when it wants something. Like, I'm hungry! and that in itself is a pretty big stumbling block to many people and Christians alike...I thought that I did not have any eating problems, I've always had a high metabolism and been tall and thin. But in unrelated teachings, the Lord showed me that...I do have a food problem, that I like to eat the best things, and that I spend entirely too much time preparing food...almost as if it could be some sort of an idol to me. And that blew my mind because I knew it was right.

So since then, I have been doing some fasting here and there because not only is it good for us spiritually, but it is good for our body's as well. It let's our stomach shrink back to normal size so we wont feel as hungry as often nor will it take as much food to fill us to a satisfying state.but it's more than that. It detoxifies our system also. and gives it rest.

Fasting is ok, but I'm beginning to realize that it may do even more for us than we thought? Like maybe, overcoming the desires of our flesh body? It brings the flesh into subjection unto us, who are doing it unto our Lord for spiritual reasons. And if our flesh is in subjection then this would help us to...overcome...this flesh!

Somehow I think that if we do not use the extra time we create by (fasting) not having to shop for, prepare for, eat, and clean up that food...for time that we spend with God and in His Word, then the fast might not even be an acceptable fast unto God? We create extra time so let us spend that time with our Lord...If we fast and then just go about our business and not really spend the extra time with God, then...how could that be a good fast? I learned long ago, that fasting is done mainly (spiritually) to invoke the supernatural of God and draw closer to Him. It increases our capacity to receive the presence of our Lord...

So sometimes I wasn't even fasting right. Live and learn. Right?

Great word, bro!

Really important topic.

The Spirit is truly leading you.

Amen.




JLB

 

[for_his_glory]

We do have to learn how to balance biologic urges as they can become an issue with gluttony which can become greed found in us whether they be good for us or bad for us. To much of anything like sex, food, drinking and even sleep can become idols to us. Anything we put above God is a hugh issue.

KJV Philippians 3:1919 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

ESV Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

 

[Edward]

We do have to learn how to balance biologic urges as they can become an issue with gluttony which can become greed found in us whether they be good for us or bad for us. To much of anything like sex, food, drinking and even sleep can become idols to us. Anything we put above God is a hugh issue.

KJV Philippians 3:1919 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

ESV Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

That is an excellent point, Sister. Eating is perhaps the biggest biological uege that we have. Even those who are not prone to gluttony can idolize eating. Eating too rich for their circumstance, taking too much time in fussing over it's preperation and so forth..

I have even heard Christians say that they will not ever do a fast because they like eating so much. Whoa, the Lord dropped a chapter of scripture into my lap to study on this very topic. I need to read it and chew on it (Lol!) before posting about it though.

But fasting is a great way to bring the flesh body into subjection...! Overcome the flesh...

 

[Edward]

Ok, so the chapter that the Lord brought to my mind to read and study is Isaaih 58, and it says quite a bit about fasting and why some fasts don't work and some do. Because I can't fast and then go on with business as usual. You can to an extent but the Lord must remain our focus while on the fast. It makes perfect sense too. I have some real good fasts and others where it didn't really seem to help me but looking back, I was working full time then too. This whole chapter is great.

Isaaih 58:
58 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?
Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.../
(!!! doing our own thing)

I'm starting to think that fasting...is THE way to bring the flesh into subjection.

 

[for_his_glory]

Ok, so the chapter that the Lord brought to my mind to read and study is Isaaih 58, and it says quite a bit about fasting and why some fasts don't work and some do. Because I can't fast and then go on with business as usual. You can to an extent but the Lord must remain our focus while on the fast. It makes perfect sense too. I have some real good fasts and others where it didn't really seem to help me but looking back, I was working full time then too. This whole chapter is great.

Isaaih 58:
58 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?
Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.../
(!!! doing our own thing)

I'm starting to think that fasting...is THE way to bring the flesh into subjection.

God's true fast found in Isaiah 58 is very humbling as it brings honor and glory to the Lord. It's no to be seen of man like an open show, but like you said, "THE way to bring the flesh into subjection". I would also add to bring the flesh into subjection to God's Spirit to know His will for us in all areas of our life.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

I forgot that I wanted to post this video.