There are days in my life where I feel such an overwhelming sense of my flesh. If I’m being honest, I am disturbed at just how much I cater to its desires. I find myself choosing to do things that have no eternal significance when I could be making a difference in someone’s life. Or the most popular way I do this is by eating too much of the not so good stuff and not enough of the good stuff. Why is it that cookies taste so much better than fruit?
The flesh is so strong, isn’t it? I imagine some of you are nodding your heads in agreement. Our intentions are pure and we expect to do the right thing but then we find ourselves literally craving something that we are not supposed to and BAM! we give in. We have succumbed to the flesh once again. And along the path of shame we walk.
The Bible addresses this issue loud and clear. Read what the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Galatia:
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Galatians 5:16-17
Years ago I realized that I focus too much on crucifying my flesh. I would say, “I won’t do that ‘thing’ anymore.” And the more I focused on not doing ‘it’, the more I failed and did ‘it’. Instead of concentrating on what I shouldn’t do, I should be setting my sights on becoming more like Christ in all I say and do. I have found that when I walk in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) then I am much less likely to give in to the desires of my flesh.
It’s not easy to do this. Some days I succeed, other days I crash and burn. To gratify, to please the flesh is addicting and often intoxicating. Whether it is looking at images that we aren’t meant to look at or saying things that don’t lift up and encourage those around us. But by the power of God in our lives, we can walk in the Spirit.
I’ll believe you’ll find that when you feed the spirit, the flesh will starve.