“the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:41 KJV

As children of God, there is a particular way in which we should be living according to Scripture. We are called to be in the world but not of the world, children of obedience and not of disobedience, shining lights in a world full of darkness, witnesses for Christ Jesus. Our lives must be guided by the Holy Spirit, for it is He that will “guide us into all truth“, John 16:13 KJV.

However, we live in a world today, where the thought of overcoming the flesh and gaining victory is seldom preached from the pulpits today. Many “Christians” delight to live in sin, believing that Christ will save them in their sins, but the word of the Lord to Joseph was, “thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people FROM their sins.” Matthew 1:21 KJV. Christ came to save us from sin and to give us the power through Him, to overcome the fleshly, carnal nature, not to use His name in vain, calling ourselves His servants, yet not striving to gain the victory over the flesh.

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power….”

John 1:12 KJV

Through Jesus, we have the power to become the children of God and as His children we are to be born again, not of the will of the flesh, but by the Spirit and by that same Spirit, we can be over comers.

Said Christ, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit“, John 3:6 KJV. In the sight of God there are two births, those born of the Spirit and those born of the flesh. They that are born of the Spirit bring forth the fruits of the Spirit and those born of the flesh, bring forth the fruits of the flesh. See: Galatians 5:19-23 KJV.

We are further told by the Apostle Paul, “so then they that are in the flesh cannot please God,” Romans 8:8 KJV and again he says “they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God,” Romans 9:8 KJV.

There must be a total casting away of the carnal, fleshly nature through the power that we receive through Jesus, for it is through Him, that we can do all things, and without Him we can do nothing, Philippians 4:13; John 15:5 KJV. The flesh indeed is weak, this is why we must “watch and pray” or we will fall into the temptations that the tempter brings our way.

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

Romans 13:14 KJV

“Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul,” the Apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:11 KJV. In other words, we are to mortify the deeds done in the body, not giving in to the base passions of the carnal nature, because the carnal, fleshly mind is enmity or is in hostility to the law of God and is not subject to or under the control of that law. To be fleshly minded leads to death, eternal death.

Let us never forget that there is a constant war in the mind between the Spirit and the natural fleshly nature. “The flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirt against the flesh,” Galatians 5:16 KJV, but if we are sincere, and are truly seeking the power to overcome through Christ Jesus then we can. Hear the Word of the Lord:

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”

Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV

Ofcourse, the only answer to this is a resounding No! Nothing is too hard for God. He is the only One who can grant us the power to overcome the works of satan and to crucify the fleshly nature. So why not seek Him while He is near and call upon Him while He may be found? Why not draw nigh unto Him, that He may draw nigh unto you reader? For He was tempted in all points such as we are, yet He is without sin. In that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to help all of us who are tempted. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Therefore, let us put no confidence in the flesh, for says the Apostle Paul under the influence of the Holy Spirit, “if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die,” Romans 8:13 KJV. Solemn words, but they are the truth and the truth sets us free. Therefore, brethren, make no provision for the flesh to fulfil it in the lusts thereof but choose Christ, believing that through Him, you can overcome because “all things, whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

“We are commanded to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. How shall we do it? Shall we inflict pain on the body? No; but put to death the temptation to sin. The corrupt thought is to be expelled. Every thought is to be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ….. The love of God must reign supreme; Christ must occupy an undivided throne. Our bodies are to be regarded as His purchased possession. The members of the body are to become the instruments of righteousness.”

Manuscripts 1, 1888

Loud Cry Compendium