We were born with an old nature that yields to the fleshly desires within us, however, when we commit to Christ and accept His salvation, we are given a new nature and new desires.
"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
We are under attack by three main enemies, they are; the world, the devil, and the flesh. The visible enemy we face is the world and it's systems that lays in rebellion against God. The world seeks to rebel against what the Lord has called good and replace it with evil.
The devil is the supreme enemy of mankind who causes people to fall by way of temptations. The final enemy is our flesh, which is our physical self, and has been in our lives since birth.
The flesh isn't something you can kill. Instead, you deny it and put it under subjection to the will of God.
"flee youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)
To do this, you should add to your environment good and godly things that your senses will feed on for spiritually growth and development. These include, gospel music, Christian movies, prayers, fasting, Bible reading and sober Christians individuals, with godly moral, who will help you to improve your walk with Christ.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
(1 John 2:16-17)
Our old nature wants us to live in subjection to the 'old man' ( sin). 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. Therefore, your conscience is now alive and nudges you about sins. It helps you to know what is wrong by making you uncomfortable about things or behaviors that are not Christlike. Thus, 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 to depend on God. It is by the power of the Spirit of God that we have the ability to defeat the flesh. Here's how according to Romans 6:11:-
"So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus".
As you walk throughout this day, recognize some of the fleshly things that is keeping you from complete intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Whenever you are tempted to react in the flesh or indulge in what your flesh wants you to do, stop and think about the consequences. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in His way, and flee from whatever would try to stunt your growth in the Lord.
Be blessed today as you pursue a deeper relationship with God and endeavour to subject the lusts of the 'old man' and press into what God has instore for you as a ' new man'!
Marcel and Jackie Bruff
@walkgoodinchrist
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