AUGUST 10

Deadly Desires

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:12-13, “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

As you know, Cookie Monster suffers from a serious cookie addiction.  His voracious appetite for cookies is obvious, for he is always thinking about and demanding cookies.  Though his favorite variety is chocolate chip cookies, no cookie within his reach is safe.  Devouring cookies occupies his thoughts. He can never be satisfied with just one cookie!  In his spare time, he peruses cookbooks looking for pictures of cookies and new recipes.  He begs cookies from friends and even strangers.  Sometimes, under advice from his handlers, he tries to stomach healthy foods like fruits and even eggplant, yet it is cookies he is always longing for.  Unbeknown to most, Cookie Monster has tried to defeat his addiction.  He tried support and accountability groups to no avail.  He tried hypnosis, but that also failed.  He heard of a drug which would suppress his appetite, but that didn’t work either.  He even joined a religious organization, which forbade eating cookies altogether, yet no amount of external force put a stop to that dreadful longing to eat cookies.  Were it not for the fact he is a fictional character, Cookie Monster would suffer from severe obesity.

“But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”  It is impossible for the flesh to win the battle when it comes to our fleshly desires.  At the heart of Paul’s dramatic plea in Romans 7:24 was the reality that the flesh is not able to do the right thing in the choices we make.  That’s the same message we find in Galatians 5:16: “But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”  There is only one thing that can work such that a person “will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”  There is no other means or mechanism whereby the desires of the flesh can be subdued.  Cookie Monster’s addiction was relatively innocuous, but Galatians 5:19-21 speaks to a host of other works of the flesh which are both debilitating and destructive.  How then is it possible to put to death such deadly desires?

Jesus performed miracles and even cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit, yet the Pharisees blasphemously ascribed the power behind his works to Beelzebub, the prince of demons.  In a part of his response, Jesus argued, “how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man” (Matthew 12:24-29).  The point is this—it’s going to take something stronger than the flesh to defeat the flesh in its sinful desires.  The Spirit alone can do that!  Victory over sin—the putting off of ugly sinful vices that they might be replaced with beautiful Christ-like virtues is a work the Spirit of God alone can do (Galatians 5:16-26).  No amount of human devising, determination, or effort can serve as a suitable substitute for that.  What is prescribed for us instead is a moment-by-moment walk in which we yield to and depend on the Spirit.  Such a walk is characterized by prayerful dependence on the Spirit, and ongoing attentiveness to the Word of God (Colossians 3:16-17)! The Spirit in you is well able to do that which you could never do!

JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE

I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Refrain:
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Thro’ this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. [Refrain]

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. [Refrain]

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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