How to Beat the Fleshናሙና

We are repelled by three main enemies: the world, the devil, and the flesh. The visible enemy we face is the world and the cultural system that lies in rebellion against God. The world seeks to redefine what the Lord has called good and evil. Secondly, we experience the devil who is the supreme enemy of mankind causing people to fall because of snares and temptations. The final enemy is the flesh which resides inside of us and has been in our lives since birth. The flesh isn't something you can kill. Instead, you deny and flee from it.

We were born with an old nature that yields to the fleshly desires within us. When we commit to Christ and accept His salvation, we are given a new nature and new desires. Our old nature is to live in subjection to the new man. However, living as a new creation in Christ doesn't mean that at times the "old you" will not try to resurface. Just because the "old you" may be present, does not mean that the "new you" is not there also. The presence of temptation is not a sign that you have not been transformed. The reason for temptation is that you have been made righteous and are no longer practicing sin without conscience. Therefore, the Holy Spirit within you resists the flesh. Becoming a new creation in Christ does not remove the flesh, but rather it creates a struggle against sin which helps us depend on God.

Today's Challenge

As you walk throughout this day, recognize some of the things that may be keeping you from complete intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Whenever you are met with an instance where you could react in the flesh and indulge in what your soul wants to do, stop and think about the consequences and then flee from whatever would try to stunt your growth in the Lord.

Be blessed today as you pursue deeper into what God has for you!