'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — October 26

In the battle against the flesh we must consider that the appetite itself might innocently desire a forbidden object. It was not the appetite itself that was forbidden, but the sinful expression of it. A man in a fever may desire more than he should lawfully drink; this is not in itself a sin, but to go ahead and wilfully drink it, is. It is the drinking that is sin, not the thirst. It is not in our power to control the appetite. That Adam had an appetite for the forbidden fruit was not his sin, but that he obeyed his appetite. The appetite is given to us by God. Since the fall, however, the appetite has been corrupted and has become inordinate. It is more impetuous, violent, and unruly than it was in the state of innocence. This inordinate appetite is sin by participation, though not in itself. Actual sin and habit will even more aggravate the appetite and make it dangerous. If the horse is headstrong, and the coachman negligent, the coach may soon be overthrown. Though a man may not by reason and will have the inclination to evil, if he fails to seek higher things, it will be hard to restrain the sensual appetite. This sensual appetite is signified by the term 'flesh'. This faculty is predominant in man, and the goal and happiness of the unsanctified. The pleasing of the appetite, in itself, is neither good or evil but as commanded or forbidden by some law of God. To please the flesh by things forbidden is undoubtedly a sin. To overvalue the pleasing of the flesh is a sin. When a desire of the flesh is inordinate it is sin. When pleasing it hinders any duty it is sinful. To avoid sinful flesh-pleasing, seek the joys above. Remember that God would give you more pleasure and not less, and that temporal delights are subordinate to heavenly delights. Beware, the flesh is the grand enemy of your soul!

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Richard Baxter, A Christian Directory, 1:223-230
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