The Spirit is Willing but the Flesh is Weak
How the story of Eutychus spiritually applies to us
To the Body,
What do you all make of this spiritually, and how do we apply it to our lives today?
Act 20:9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
Act 20:10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.”
Act 20:11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.M____
Hi M____,
Having just returned from England, where the fellowship was so enthusiastic that we stayed up until after midnight every night, makes this personally applicable to me.
I am so blessed with fellowship that, like Eutychus, I sometimes become weary in listening to and responding to all the fellowship and revelations with which we are so blessed here in the states. Yes, we too, are scattered, but at least we are only separated by three hours in four time zones, as compared to 5 hours for England 6 hours for Holland and South Africa, and up to 15 hours for Australia.
It is also very instructive to know that the word used for Paul’s “preaching” here is really the Greek word ‘dialegomai’.
Act 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
So while Paul was very likely doing much of the speaking, this still was not a monologue. It was the same thing that we just experienced every night in England.
The next verse means what it says outwardly, but spiritually ‘many lights’ verifies that there was what we call a dialogue or a discussion, going on in that third story room.
Act 20:8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
The fact is that this Greek word ‘dialegomai’ is most often translated as ‘reasoned’ instead of preaching. Here are a couple of examples of where it so translated.
Act 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned [ Greek, dialegomai] with them out of the scriptures,
Act 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
So the message for us is that we are all still in weak human flesh, and as such we are all Eutychus, who so easily became weary, even at the most dangerous times.
Mar 14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Mar 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Mar 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
Mar 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Mar 14:39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
Mar 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
This happened to to the apostles, and it happened to Eutychus, and it is written for my and for your admonition (1Co 10:11).
Mike
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- Where Does Our Spirit Go When We Die? (November 4, 2010)
- Where Do Suicide Victims Go? (June 10, 2012)
- To Be Absent From The Body... (June 10, 2007)
- The Wrath of God (April 25, 2007)
- The Struggle to See The Need For Prayer (February 18, 2010)
- The Spirits Of The Dead 2005 (June 12, 2005)
- The Spirit is Willing but the Flesh is Weak (September 15, 2011)
- The Dead Know Not Anything (December 3, 2011)
- Spirits in Prison (July 6, 2006)
- Spirits In Prison 2012 (February 24, 2012)
- Revelation 3:1-2 Sardis, Part 1 (January 30, 2009)
- Hell And J. Preston Eby (June 12, 2005)
- Gathered Unto His People (March 27, 2010)
- Eutychus (March 18, 2009)
- Could You Not Watch With Me (July 6, 2006)
- Are The Sleep and Resurrection Yet Future? (September 1, 2010)
- Abraham Rejoice to See Christ's Day? (December 5, 2011)