As overcomers, we must learn how to be victorious over the flesh and the power of sin at a personal level!
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Galatians chapter 5:
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
In other Words:
Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life. When your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit you hinder Him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your self-life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit.
As I pray in Tongues every morning, I subdue my self-life and yield to The Holy Spirit.
Paul also wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:
18 I thank my God I speak in Tongues more than you all;
If Paul who expressed the importance of praying in The Holy Spirit spoke in Tongues in a significant and frequent manner, we should do the same!
The flesh is our old human nature, that is to say, our earthly nature apart from FATHER’S Divine influence. It is our “old man”: our “natural” thoughts, emotions, and desires that are usually contrary to God’s. This “old man” does not go away when we become believers. It will always be with us. It will always be prone to sin and opposed to God but can be and should be subdued daily.
The term “flesh” also refers to depending upon our own strength and our own ability to accomplish God’s will, rather than depending on His Spirit. It also includes a long list of things such as pride, cruelty, fear, and other works of the flesh found in Galatians listed by Paul:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
You and I have the daily choice to walk by THE SPIRIT or walk by the flesh but let us not fulfill those works of the flesh. Instead, let us set our focus on producing fruit of The Spirit:
22 But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is Divine Love in all Its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.
24 Keep in mind that we who belong to Jesus Christ have already experienced crucifixion. For everything connected with our self-life was put to death on the cross and crucified with Messiah.
25 If the Spirit is the Source of our life, we must also allow the Spirit to direct every aspect of our lives.
Notice that walking in Agape Love is central to the fruit of THE SPIRIT. Let us not forget that we were crucified with Christ thus we can overcome the flesh as He did on our behalf (Galatian 2:20).
Paul further wrote in Romans chapter 12:
1 Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be His Sacred, living sacrifices. And live in Holiness, experiencing all that delights His Heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.
2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s Will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in His Eyes.
Let our mindset and actions be conformed to HIS Word. It is our daily choice!