VICTORY OVER THE FLESH: YOU ARE A VICTOR!

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  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

REFERENCE
Galatians 5:16-25

Yesterday we established that the flesh and the Spirit are in constant battle in a believer, and whoever wins the battle determines the direction the believer’s life goes. Victory means triumphing or having a win over an opponent.  Since, the flesh is your opponent; it is likely that you may be struggling in certain areas to triumph over it. Below are some truths that would help you overcome.

To have victory over the flesh, firstly you must understand your righteousness. God has made you His righteousness in Christ Jesus and sin can no longer dominate you. You are not a dirty vessel trying to be clean; you are a clean one that Satan is trying to pollute. Therefore, you must work to maintain/preserve your righteousness. “Works do not justify a man, but a justified man works!” (II Corinthians 5:21).

Secondly, you must reckon yourself dead to sin because you have been crucified with Christ. Therefore, your members are only alive unto righteousness. Dead men don’t respond to sinful temptations – someone who is dead can’t respond to anger, lust, jealousy, binge drinking, or any form of uncleanness. So, you must tell every part of your body that they are instruments of righteousness and not of sin. (Galatians 2:20).

Thirdly, you must choose to walk in the Spirit; this means, walking in the Word of God, or minding what the Spirit minds, which is the Word of God. This is the only way to subdue the flesh. Learn to memorize scriptures and have certain scriptures you fight back with (like Jesus did) anytime the devil comes to assault your mind. (Matthew 4:1-11).

Fourthly, you must think and ask yourself critical questions, e.g. “What is this sin costing me?” “How is this sinful lifestyle affecting the people around me?” “Am I a good ambassador for Christ? “Will I be rewarded for this?” Paint a mental picture of the end result. The prodigal son came to himself and thought his way out of his pain! The day a mad man knows he is mad, he’s cured! (Proverbs 20:17, Luke 15:11-19).

Finally, admit you need help and seek God in prayers and/or seek counsel from a spiritually mature believer. The Grace of God is sufficient to meet every need; so, pray about your desire to triumph over your flesh, and the Holy Spirit would give you the enablement to overcome. (Titus 2:11-12).

You are born of God; this makes you a victor not a victim. The flesh doesn’t have the power to dominate you unless you allow it, so, rise up as the victor you are and align yourself to the things of the Spirit, that you would no longer fulfill the lust of the flesh.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY
I John 5:4-5 (MSG)

PRAYER

Lord, I consciously yield all my bodily members to You as instruments of righteousness not of sin. I have been crucified with Christ, therefore I am dead to sin and sin can no longer have dominion over me. I receive Your grace by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to walk continually in the Spirit, not in the flesh in Jesus’ name.