“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16
The Call to Deny Ourselves
We often find ourselves in battles between our spiritual desires and the temptations of the flesh. Jesus invites us to take up our crosses and follow Him, which means denying our fleshly impulses. This call to self-denial is not just about abstaining from sin, but it is an invitation to a deeper relationship with Christ. In following Him, we discover that the true essence of life comes from surrendering our will to God while seeking His purpose in our lives. This journey is liberating and allows us to experience the joy of walking with Him daily.
Luke 9:23
“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'” – Luke 9:23
Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'” – Matthew 16:24
Mark 8:34
“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'” – Mark 8:34
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Romans 8:13
“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” – Romans 8:13
The Nature of the Flesh
Understanding the nature of the flesh is important for us as believers. The Bible describes the flesh as a part of us that is inclined to sin and separation from God. Our desires and cravings can lead us away from the path God desires for us. By recognizing this fact, we can take decisive action to combat these fleshly inclinations. How do we do this? By cultivating a vibrant spiritual life, immersing ourselves in God’s Word, and leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit to transform our minds and hearts. As we submit our flesh to Christ, we move closer to living in His will.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21
James 4:1
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” – James 4:1
1 Peter 2:11
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” – 1 Peter 2:11
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.” – Colossians 3:5
Galatians 5:24
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” – Galatians 5:24
The Role of the Spirit
As we strive to turn away from our flesh, we must remember the incredible role the Holy Spirit plays in this process. The Spirit empowers us to overcome our weaknesses and helps us to bear fruits that are pleasing to God. It is by walking in the Spirit that we can stay strong against the temptations that try to lead us back into old habits. By relying on the Spirit’s guidance and strength, we begin to develop a life that is marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is the life we want to embody.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 8:26
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” – Romans 8:26
John 6:63
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” – John 6:63
1 Corinthians 2:12
“What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” – 1 Corinthians 2:12
Ephesians 4:30
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” – Ephesians 4:30
The battle to kill our flesh often begins in our minds. What we think influences what we do and how we act. Paul talks about taking every thought captive and aligning it with Christ. By renewing our minds with Scripture and focusing on things that are good and pure, we can starve the desires of the flesh. It is important for us to maintain a consistent time with God in prayer and Bible study. This spiritual nourishment is essential to fight against the temptations that robustly challenge our faith and morality.
2 Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
1 Timothy 6:12
“Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” – 1 Timothy 6:12
Temptation and Resistance
Temptation is something we all face, and it’s important to recognize it and resist. The Bible reminds us that temptations are common, but God always provides a way to escape them. Through prayer, accountability, and community, we can support one another in standing against the temptations that threaten to pull us back into our fleshly desires. We have to stand firm in our faith and resist the devil, knowing that he will flee from us as we draw near to God. Together, we can grow strong in our faith and hostility towards the desires of the flesh.
1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41
Hebrews 4:15
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” – Hebrews 4:15
1 Peter 5:8
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
The Reward of a Spirit-Led Life
The ultimate goal of killing our flesh is to enjoy the abundant life that comes from living in the Spirit. Each day we are given the opportunity to choose between our desires and God’s desires for our lives. The more we choose to follow Christ, the more we experience His goodness and grace. God promises us rewards for our faithfulness. As we cling to His promises, we can look forward to the eternal joy that awaits us. Let’s keep our hearts ever focused on the blessings that God is providing us as we daily choose to surrender our flesh.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Revelation 2:10
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” – Revelation 2:10
2 Timothy 4:7-8
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
1 Corinthians 9:24
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24
Philippians 3:14
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14
Final Thoughts
As we explore what it truly means to kill our flesh, we see that it is a continual process of self-denial and seeking after God’s Spirit. Each verse emphasizes how important it is to rely on the Holy Spirit and the words of Scripture to strengthen our hearts and minds. We are reminded of the power we possess to overcome temptations and pursue righteousness in our everyday lives. It is not a one-time act but a daily commitment to lay down our desires for a greater purpose.
Let us embrace the guidance of the Holy Spirit and take heart in the promises of God as we seek to live in a manner that pleases Him. There will be rewards awaiting us at the end of this race, and we can experience abundance in the here and now while growing closer to Christ each step of the way. Together, let’s journey forward with faith, knowing that we are supported by one another.
Continue to grow in faith and knowledge by exploring more topics such as freedom in Jesus and losing your soul. We can strengthen our foundation with God’s word and stand firm in the face of temptation, embracing the Spirit-led life together.