Not by the Flesh

A Letter for These Times

Beloved Friend,

It’s a new week, and my heart is stirred once again.

Even before I sent out my last letter, I had been sitting with a verse that pierced me deeply:

“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh…”

(2 Corinthians 5:16a, KJV)

It hit me in a different way. We are not to know men by what they appear to be on the surface; not by their loudness in prayer, their devotion to activity, their seeming closeness to altars, or their spiritual eloquence. These things can be beautiful, but they are not the true measure.

The real test is fruit. Character. Humility. Surrender.

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

(Matthew 7:20, KJV)

But I must be honest, even as I write this, I don’t want anyone reading to think I speak from a pedestal. I am not writing as one who has it all together. Truthfully, I’m constantly begging God to sit on me like a refiner of silver.

“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver…”

(Malachi 3:3a, KJV)

Sometimes my heart tightens in my chest when I pray that prayer, because I know that kind of fire is not child’s play. It purges. It strips. It bends your will until only His remains. There have been moments when I’ve cried out in ignorance, “God, why me?” Only to later realize it’s the refining work I had asked for.

Still, I know it’s the only way. The only way to please Him.

The only way to be found in Him.

The only way to truly see His face.

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

(Philippians 2:12b, KJV)

If He doesn’t thoroughly work on us, how long will we keep falling and rising, stuck in the same loop?

How long will the devil mock us, pointing fingers in the courts of heaven, saying we are unworthy of real Kingdom work?

How long will we remain babes, needing milk, when the harvest is full and the laborers are few?

Yes, the Lord strengthens the laborers already in the field, but His grace is also available to us. We, too, can join in the harvest. We, too, are called to maturity, not just personal breakthrough.

Friend, these are perilous times.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith…”

(1 Timothy 4:1a, KJV)

There’s a great falling away. And it’s easy to get caught up in outward appearances, the flesh, if we’re not careful. If we follow men simply because of what they seem to carry, rather than where they lead us, deception will slip through the cracks.

Not every instruction is from God. Some are cloaked in spirituality but point nowhere near Christ. And that’s why Jesus didn’t leave us defenseless.

He promised us the Spirit of truth.

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…”

(John 16:13a, KJV)

He knew that deception would rise. He knew error would increase. And He gave us His Spirit, not just for comfort, but for clarity. Not to pamper us into a soft life, but to empower us to stand, to discern, to walk in truth.

If ease was the goal, He wouldn’t have said:

“But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

(Luke 24:49b, KJV)

He would have said, “Relax and enjoy grace.” But He knew power was necessary. He knew we couldn’t do this without Him.

That’s why we test every spirit.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…”

(1 John 4:1a, KJV)

Not with suspicion, but with discernment. Not with pride, but with obedience.

And through it all, let’s remember, Jesus handed us the baton.

The race is still on.

We’re not called to warm the bench or clap from the sidelines. We’re called to run. To carry His life. To proclaim His truth. To labor alongside Him in the fields.

So, dear one, may you never lose sight of Jesus.

May you long for His refining fire, even when it burns.

May you walk in truth, not by sight.

May you find strength, not in flesh, but in the Spirit.

And may you never forget, the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth.

With thoughts of kindness,

ABBA’s Shofar