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... it's 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)
..'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.
1 comment
My brothers and sisters in Christ, keep spreading His Word through the help of the Holy Spirit!! May God continue to bless y’all, I love y’all!! ✝️❤️🙏🏾