“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” – Galatians 5:24
LIGHT FOR NOW: Walking in victory requires intentional surrender. The believer cannot consistently walk in the Spirit while continually feeding the flesh.
One of the deepest realities of the Christian life is that salvation does not merely add religion to a person’s old life. Salvation introduces a new life entirely—the life of Christ within the believer. Paul says: “And they that are Christ’s…” This phrase speaks of belonging, identity, and ownership. The believer no longer belongs to the old system of sin and self-rule. He now belongs to Christ. Paul then says: “…have crucified the flesh…” The word “crucified” is very strong language. Crucifixion was a slow and painful death. Paul uses this imagery to show that believers must deliberately reject the control of the flesh.
Again, the “flesh” here refers to the fallen tendencies of the old nature; sinful desires, selfish ambitions, carnality, pride, lust, envy, bitterness, and rebellion against God. Though the believer is born again spiritually, he must still choose daily whether to yield to the Spirit or to fleshly desires. This is why victorious living requires intentionality. Many believers desire spiritual growth while continually feeding environments, habits, conversations, and influences that strengthen carnality. But whatever is continually fed becomes stronger. If the flesh is continually fed, spiritual sensitivity weakens. If the spirit is continually nourished, spiritual strength increases.
Jesus said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily…” Notice the word “daily”. Walking with God requires continual surrender, not occasional emotional moments. Self-denial does not mean self-hatred. Rather, it means refusing to allow selfish desires rule the heart above God’s will. One dangerous misconception is assuming spiritual maturity happens automatically over time. But maturity requires cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Believers grow through: Prayer, obedience, meditation on scripture, repentance, discipline and yieldedness to God. Paul says in Romans 8: “If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live”. The word “mortify” means to put to death continually. This reveals that victory over sinful tendencies is not passive. Believers must intentionally resist compromise and continually yield themselves to God.
This does not mean believers become perfect overnight. Spiritual growth is progressive. But there should be continual transformation occurring in the believer’s life. One evidence of genuine spiritual maturity is increasing hatred for sin and increasing affection for God. The more believers walk closely with Christ, the less attractive sinful compromise becomes. This is why intimacy with God matters deeply. Many people focus only on avoiding sin externally while neglecting fellowship with God internally. But true transformation flows from relationship. The believer who truly encounters the beauty of Christ develops deeper desire for holiness naturally. Victory over the flesh is not sustained merely through rules alone. It is sustained through affection for God and continual yielding to the Spirit. A heart captivated by Christ becomes less vulnerable to the deception of the flesh.
INSTRUCTION: Examine the habits and influences shaping your life. Remove things that continually strengthen carnality and deepen your fellowship with God daily.
PRAYER: I belong to Christ, and I yield myself daily to the Holy Spirit. The flesh will not dominate my life. Through God’s grace, I walk in purity, obedience, spiritual discipline, and victory continually. Amen.
For More Light; get the message, “Unstoppable Victory” by Dr. John Linus
QUOTE: Victory over the flesh grows where surrender to God becomes daily and intentional.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: GALATIANS CHAPTER 5; EVENING: ROMANS CHAPTER 8
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 