Q. “E. A. H.; Clare,” asks if a Christian would be attracted by those things which are pleasing to the flesh; or if it is possible to be in such a state of soul as that which would not be gratified by the things which formerly were desired.
A. It must ever be remembered that a Christian has not ceased, in becoming one; to possess the flesh — the carnal mind, which is as much opposed to God as before his conversion. Of it God says, “It is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:77Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7)); and this even in the saint has not been removed. The more mature we are in spiritual growth, the more deeply shall we distrust and have no confidence in it (Phil. 3:33For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3)). It has the same tendencies and lusts; it desires to feed upon that which supports and sustains it just as much as ever. But there is a “new man” which alone can feed on Christ. He is the “bread of God” by which the new nature lives and grows. We are practically living in and feeding either upon those things by which the evil nature is sustained, or the new nature grows, all day long. The “things of the Spirit” sustain the new nature: the Holy Spirit takes of the things of Christ and plants them in our hearts. There is nothing which tests the condition of our souls like everyday habits, dress, conversation: they come forth out of the heart, and indicate the internal occupation of soul — whether with Christ, and the things of Christ; or flesh, and the things of the flesh. But He ever liveth to make intercession for us; using His blessed services thus, the heart is kept free from the influences of flesh — that which feeds it is laid aside — the soul rejoices in denial of those things which would feed the nature from which He died to deliver us; learns His heart, and walks in communion with Him; finding the fact of an evil nature the occasion of more blessed intimacy with Him, that its workings may be refused, and the tendency to start aside from Him like a broken bow, judged. Then the heart feeds on Christ, and the state of soul which refuses the things that would shut Him out is there, and former things that gratified lose their power. It is quite possible that a Christian may be in such a state of soul, as not to desire those things that gave such gratification in times past. The superior engagement of the heart with Christ has produced this, rather than the effort in ascetic zeal to curb that which is discordant with it.
Words of Truth 5:231-235.