Taming the Flesh
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
Galatians 5:16-17
If we can tame the flesh then we can successfully fight the Spiritual battle. The spiritual battle is against the dark forces of the world, and our flesh is part of the world and it craves things of the world. Every time we sin we are giving in to the desires of the flesh, which is responding to our primitive nature and not to our Godly nature. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. (1 Corinthians 9:27) The Apostle Paul found it necessary to discipline his body because it was attracted to the sinful world.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25) When making a choice, try to recognize if it is from God or from the flesh. If we concentrate on crucifying and controlling the flesh we will be more successful than if we arbitrarily make the choice without going to the Spirit. When faced with these choices, some people will maintain their self-justification and avoid hearing scripture that convicts them.
When the Lord molds us to be Christ-like, and our hearts change to the heart of Christ, then the desires of the flesh are changed by the Spirit. Our worldly desires are no longer important to us and are replaced by spiritual desires. We become satisfied and thankful for what we have, and our priorities change from worldly desires to the desire of ministering to lost souls. Nothing else comes close in priority when compared to ministering to lost souls, and this is because the Lord has changed our hearts. A Godly heart tames the flesh.
But Satan never gives up trying to make us slaves to the world by enticing our flesh. This is when we fight for our freedom to overcome the world, otherwise the world will overcome us. Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4) We fight the spiritual battle for our freedom, and we do this by taming the flesh.
Our brains are like computers with both memories and emotions stored, and our brains are programmed by our thoughts. Satan wants to program our brains from the sinful world, while God programs our brains from the Spirit to be like Jesus. The world tempts us through desires, triggering our memories with euphoric emotions. After years of walking with the Lord, our brains become more wired for God, but if we continue to shift priorities, our minds will be hindered from being like Jesus. 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)
Today when making choices, make sure you give the Lord priority. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:17) Don’t justify your own way, the way of the flesh, but follow God’s way and you will be blessed. You are my friends if you do what I command. (John 15:14) Obey the Lord and be his friend for eternity.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to always give you first priority in my life. Don’t let Satan pull me away by the desires of the flesh, but let the Spirit control the flesh so that I can be free in Christ. Guide my heart to minister to everyone the Spirit leads me to. In Jesus name, Amen