Many years ago, I heard the late Missionary Evangelist Arthur Hokett say, “The natural tendency of fire is to go out”. That never left me. This is true of natural fire. It is also true of spiritual fire. However, there is a kind of fire that does not go out naturally. It is the fire kindled by the flesh. Getting rid of the flame of the flesh requires a certain intentional push. In our passage today, Paul touched on five things that must be confined to the past: bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, and malice. These works of the flesh and others that are not mentioned here do not expire on their own; individuals have to take deliberate steps to rid themselves of these carnal works. It should be noted that even though God has great plans to execute, as long as these works of the flesh still loom large, they will hinder the operations of the Spirit. To truly enjoy the package of God, it is important to turn over a new leaf as soon as the Holy Spirit reveals a character defect.

Turning over a new leaf is a task that must begin from the heart…Thank God, the scripture gives us assurance of the possibility of a new heart…A new heart carries within it new possibilities.

Turning over a new leaf is a task that must begin from the heart. As the saying goes, the heart of the matter is in the heart. All issues of life spring from the heart. If the heart is not dealt with, it is futile to expect a total deliverance from the works of the flesh. Thank God, the scripture gives us assurance of the possibility of a new heart. Let us all go to God in reverence and ask that we be circumcised in our hearts. A new heart carries within it new possibilities.