CONQUERING THE FLESH

Memory Verses Galatians 5:24, says ““Those who

belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Romans 8:14, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

Romans 8:37, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Three Objectives:

The Things of the Flesh Will be Destroyed

We Are Designed to Live and Walk in the Spirit (Matt. 6:33, Jer. 29:11)

Teach Other Believe How to Overcome the Flesh (Submit to the Spirit)

Is This Statement True or False ?

“Mankind is Basically Good. His Heart Really Desires What’s Right and Good.”

According to the Word of God, This is False

“For the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5)

“Behold, I was shaped in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5)

“Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (Ephesians 3:2-3)

According to the Bible, Man’s Flesh” has a sinful nature.

Well, I don’t believe that! Babies and Children are

Why is Man’s Nature Inherently Sinful?

It al began in the Garden of Eden, when God created Adam and then Eve. He gave them a specific rule – to eat from any tree in the Garden, except from the Tree of Good and Evil. Because they were born with a free will, they were given choices. God chose to believe the best of His children. With their free will they chose disobedience. The consequences have followed mankind all throughout history, up unto today. (See Genesis, Chapter 3)

The Word Tells Us That The Things Done in the Flesh

Will be Destroyed

Galatians 6:8

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap everlasting Life.”

Where Else Does It Say This?

“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NLT)

What is the “Flesh?”

The Physical Aspects of a Person, as Opposed to the Spirit The Soft Tissue of a Body Covering Skeletal Muscle, Organs, Bones and Fat Our epidermis, surface Our earthly body suit

This is What the Word of God Says About the Flesh

Gal. 5:19-25 says, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: [a]immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, [b]factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

The Fact of the Matter IsThat None of Us Are Good

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:2)

All we like Sheep have Gone astray; we have everyone turned to our own ways and the Lord has laid the iniquity on Him of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

“For there is not a just man upon the earth that does good and sins not.”

(Ecclesiastes 7:20)

Why Don’t We All Just Give Up?

Wait! There’s Still Great Hope!

The Kingdom of God is Taken by Force! (Matt. 11:12)

Our Hope – Being Born Again!

Verse 5: "Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.“

What does being born of the Spirit mean?How can I be born again? What does the fruit of being born of the Spirit look like?

First, We must receive JesusChrist. Why?

Jn. 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jesus Christ is the Only Answer

John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. “

Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Second, We Must Humbly Ask for Forgiveness and Confess Our Sin

1 Jn. 1:9 (AMP) says, “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].”

Romans 10:10, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Third, We Must Repent – Turn Completely From Sin

Acts 3:19 says “Repent then and turn to God, so that Your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Our Hope in Conquering the Flesh

See John 3:1-21

Verse 3 "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Verse 4: "Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?"

John 3:6 says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.”

When We Accept Christ, Our Spirit is Reborn

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he becomes a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Importance of “Overcoming” the Flesh

Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.”

Galatians 6:8 “He who sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap destruction but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap eternal life.”

Importance of “Overcoming” the Flesh II

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”(Romans 8:6, NIV)

“For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.”(Galatians 5:17, AMP)

Importance of “Overcoming” the Flesh III

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, (I Cor. 2:12-15, NAS)

Importance of “Overcoming” the Flesh IV

“Truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat fall to the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

Why does this mean and why is this so important?

Resisting the Flesh is Submitting to the Will of God

1 Peter 4:1-2 “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.”

When We Die, Christ Lives

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me .”

What Does Dying to the Flesh Look Like?

Overlooking an Insult and Responding Kindly

Choosing to Forgive Considering What is Best for Others, Not

Deciding for Selfish Gain Being Honest, No Matter the Outcome Obeying God and Authorities, even

Undesirable Commands Taking Authority and Doing the Right

Thing Overcome Evil by Doing Good

What Does Dying to the FleshLook Like?

Choosing Peace over Conflict, Even if you Didn’t “Start It.”

Choosing to Love When Others are Unlovely

Choosing to Bring Out the Best in Others – Not Exposing the Worst

Saying “I’m Sorry, I’m wrong or You’re Right”

Saying “Yes, Father, I will obey Your Word, no matter what.”

Serving Rather Than Being Served.

What Does Dying to the Flesh Look Like?

“Father, If You Are Willing, Remove This Cup From Me, Yet Not My Will But Yours Be Done.” (Luke 22:42)

Defeating the Flesh

In Galatians 5:16, the Apostle Paul gives the solution on how to overcome the "flesh" in this life when he said - "...Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." In other words, the "flesh" will not get its way as long as we live under the continual influence of the Holy Ghost and yield to all His suggestions and leadings.

Thought on Defeating the Flesh

"If the Spirit of God dwell in and rule your heart, the whole carnal mind will be destroyed; and then, only then, not only carnal ordinances will be abandoned, but also the works and propensities of the flesh." Adam Clarke

Five Steps to Conquering the Flesh

1) Be Quick to Obey – Don’t Linger (Ps.119:60, Cor. 10:5, Luke 11:28, John 14:21, 2 Cor. 10:5)2) Abstain From Every Appearance of Evil (I Thess. 5:22, Proverbs 5:1-13)3) Resist Temptation/ Draw Near to God (Jas. 4:7) 4) Pray Out Loud/Speak the Word (Rev. 12:11, Psalm 50:15)5) Conquer the Flesh By Doing Good (Rom. 12:21, Romans 12:17-21, I Peter 3:9)

Scripture on Resisting Temptation, (The Flesh), and

Drawing Near to God

James 4:7 says, “ Submit yourselves therefor to God.

Resist the devil and he will flee; draw near to God and He will

draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, purify your

hearts…”

Scripture on Being Quick to Obey

Ps.119:60 says, “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.”

2 Cor. 10:5 says “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…”

Jesus said in Luke 11:28, “But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

(Also note John 14:21)

Scriptures on Abstaining From Evil

I Thess. 5:22 says, “…Abstain from every appearance of evil.”

Also, see Proverbs 5:1-13

Scripture on Praying Speaking the Word Out Loud

Revelation 12:11 says, “For we overcome him, (the devil, the deceiver, the tempter), by the blood of the Lamb - what Christ did on the cross for all mankind – the shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of our sins, and by the Word of our testimony.”

Psalm 50:15 says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will rescue you and you will honor me.”

Also, Proverbs 18:21

Scripture on Overcoming Evil by Doing Good

“Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil by doing good.” Romans 12:21

I Peter 3:9 says, “Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

He Is Our Life Source

“I Am the Vine, You are the Branches, Apart From Me, (My Word), You Can Do Nothing.” (John 15:5)

What Happens to the Branches Not Producing Fruit?

John 15:6 says, “If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up and cast into the fire and burned.”

We Have an Obligation to Conquer the Flesh

Romans 8:12-17, (NIV)

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to Sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

The Father Has Wonderful Things in Store For Those That Overcome

I Corinthians 2:9 says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

“ Do not let your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. My Father’s House has many dwelling places, if it were not so, I would have told you. For I go to prepare a place for you that where I am, you may be also.” (Jn. 14:1-2)