In this world, we war against three main enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. The most difficult and personal enemy we face is what the Bible calls our flesh. The flesh cannot be conquered in any other way except by denying the wrong desires that entice us. Surrendering our lives to Christ gives us a new nature, and our old nature is to live in subjection to it.
Vladimir Savchuk
Day 1
Scriptures: Ephesians 2:1-3, 1 Peter 4:1
We are repelled by three main enemies: the world, the devil, and the flesh. The visible enemy we face is the world and the cultural system that lies in rebellion against God. The world seeks to redefine what the Lord has called good and evil. Secondly, we experience the devil who is the supreme enemy of mankind causing people to fall because of snares and temptations. The final enemy is the flesh which resides inside of us and has been in our lives since birth. The flesh isn’t something you can kill. Instead, you deny and flee from it.
We were born with an old nature that yields to the fleshly desires within us. When we commit to Christ and accept His salvation, we are given a new nature and new desires. Our old nature is to live in subjection to the new man. 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 without conscience. Therefore, 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 depend on God.
Today’s Challenge
As you walk throughout this day, recognize some of the things that may be keeping you from complete intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Whenever you are met with an instance where you could react in the flesh and indulge in what your soul wants to do, stop and think about the consequences and then flee from whatever would try to stunt your growth in the Lord.
Be blessed today as you pursue deeper into what God has for you!
Day 2
Scriptures: Romans 6:10-11, Matthew 19:26
Dealing with the flesh requires a constant manual approach in order to see daily victory over it. We don’t reach an automatic point of overcoming temptation when we get born again, but we have to always consider, crucify, and commit our desires of the flesh unto God.
The Word of God says that when Christ died the power of the flesh died with Him. We don’t start the war against the enemy fighting for victory; we fight from a victorious stance because that has already been claimed for us by Jesus. Therefore, you overcome the flesh by coming to an agreement in your mind and heart about what God says about you. Your identity is found in Him and not in what you are currently struggling with. When you were born you identified with Adam’s sinful nature, but by renewal and baptism, you identify with Jesus. Align with Jesus, and the battle you fight is already won against the enemy, and from the point of His death, it is just a matter of you daily killing the lust of the flesh. In Him is this made possible.
Today Challenge
Throughout this day take time to consciously reckon yourself dead to your former life where lust, pride, and disconnection from God were predominately at work within you. Having dominion life in Christ isn’t something that comes naturally to our old Adamic man. We must make a decision to walk after the things of the Spirit and not after the flesh. Meditate on the scriptures listed today and review who you are and what your identity in Christ is.
Day 3
Scriptures: Galatians 5:16, Matthew 16:24, Romans 12:2
When Christ was crucified, the power of sin over us was also crucified once and for all. It is now our responsibility to daily take up our cross and follow Him. God has not made the Christian life to be made up of rules and regulations; instead, healthy boundaries are needed to protect us against falling away into sin. Without controlling the flesh, you cannot be successful in God.
Walking in the Spirit is the only way to become an overcomer; therefore, our calling is not to be stagnant and stationary. We are commissioned to be constantly progressing in all areas of our life. The keys to our growth are communion, covenant, and commitment to the Holy Spirit. To have steady growth, we must learn to remove the things in life that hinder full commitment. The presence of the Holy Spirit does not guarantee victory over the flesh, but yielding to the Holy Spirit does. Take off the brakes and advance!
Today’s Challenge
Perhaps you feel like you are unworthy or overwhelmed because of your past and that your failures make you feel unrighteous. Maybe you feel as though Jesus couldn’t possibly love you or that you don’t deserve forgiveness. Regardless of how bad you feel, it contradicts the Truth because God wants to strengthen and empower you to live a full and free life in Christ. Begin to renounce all doubt of God’s forgiveness of your sins and say, “I identify with Jesus my Savior. Lord Jesus, I thank You because You have made it possible for me to crucify the cravings of my flesh because Your Holy Spirit lives within me.”
Ask God to continue to give you strength, and thank Him for the revelation of who you are in Jesus, who He is in you, and what He did on the cross for you. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind and identify with Christ today!