We CANNOT cast out the flesh, we must crucify it!
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. (Romans 7:18)
It's not always the devil... it could also be our flesh.
There is this enemy that is within me... its the flesh.
The flesh has the ability to control us if we don't submit to God & His spirit.
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. (Galatians 5:16-17)
You're either submitting to God or to your own flesh.
Here are the 4 main categories of the flesh according to Galatians 5
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. (Galatians 5:19-21)
#1 Sexual impurity (Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness, Lewdness)
#2 Occults (Idolatry, Sorcery)
#3 Pride (Jealousy, Outbursts of Wrath, Murders, Selfish Ambitions, Dissensions, Heresies, Envy)
#4 Self Indulgent (Drunkenness, Revelries)
The word we’ll be focusing on is sorcery or witchcraft from Galatians 5:20.
Sorcery means pharmakeia.
This meaning in the Greek has a few definitions:
i. the use or the administering of drugs
ii. poisoning
iii. sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it
iv. metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
Any form or use of drugs is sorcery according to this definition. Which is a work of the flesh.
There was a sorcerer named Simon in Acts 8 that deceived these people for a very long time in Samaria through his sorceries.
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. (Acts 8:9-11)
But in order for people to be set free… Philip the evangelist came and preached two things:
#1 The kingdom of God.
#2 The name of Jesus Christ.
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. (Acts 8:12-13)
23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. (Revelations 18:23)
Anyone practicing sorcery has the ability to deceive people.
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
It is a deceiving spirit that allows these doctrines of demons to enter into our mind.
If we truly want to not be deceived, we must separate ourselves by the word of God and prayer.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4-5)
..'those that practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God'
Anything the flesh produces is corrupt.
What is the solution to this?
The Cross.
25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:25)
Here are 3 ways to crucify the flesh.
#1 We must decide to crucify our flesh
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Deciding to know you are living a life for Christ.
#2 We must deny ourselves
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (Luke 9:23)
Denying the part of us that is inherited through our sinful nature.
#3 We must meditate on Gods word daily
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)
God's word breaks the cravings of the flesh.