The Battle of the Flesh and the Spirit: How to *Actually* Let Your Spirit Reign

“Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41

As Christians, we’re in constant battle with our flesh and the flesh can get loud especially if we aren’t focused on God, staying in His presence and His word. Romans 8:13 (amp) says “for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever.” Simply put, every day we have a choice to make between our spirit and our flesh, thus comes the struggle we face because the desires of the flesh come so naturally that choosing the desires of our spirit literally feels like we’re betraying ourselves.

How often have you heard the term "dying to flesh"? I know that I’ve always wondered what this could mean. Now, this should not be taken literally but rather, denying and resisting the normal things the body craves in order to achieve temporary pleasures; sexual immorality, addictions to drugs and/or alcohol, and different vices and the more we resist, the more we allow God to work in us through the Holy Spirit.

Only a little over two years ago did my relationship and faith strengthen with God. I had turned to everything I could; drugs, sex, alcohol, and work, and when it proved that none of it would help, I finally returned to God. How often we disregard how important God is and how we should go to Him first, as the true source of our salvation but we often put him last.

Here are some practical ways, based in scripture, to actually allow your spirit to rule over your flesh:

1. Stay in prayer and God’s presence. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 reads “For though we walk in the flesh (as mortal men), we are not carrying on our (spiritual warfare) according to the flesh and using the weapons of man. The weapons of our warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses…and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ (paraphrasing v.5 )”

We do not belong to this world but to the Kingdom of God and as the main theme of this blog is; we should be in this world and not of it. When faced with problems and changes in life, as humans our go-to is to worry and try to solve these problems with man-made solutions but God tells us that trials and tribulations are spiritual battles and should be faced as such and prayer is one of the best weapons we can use to combat this. Pray in the little and the big, God wants all of us and the best way to give it to Him is through prayer. Prayer doesn’t need to be extravagant or ceremonial, we can speak to God while we’re driving, while we’re working, while we’re worried, and while we’re frustrated. A helpful tip that I used to strengthen my prayer life was keeping a prayer journal; this way you can also see God’s hand in your life.

2. Do not focus on the things of this world

I know that this is easier said than done. At all times there seems to be some aspect of life screaming for your attention and unexpected things occur that can cause us to doubt God’s promises and will for our life. But, as Christians, we are to focus on the ways we can glorify God. Let me explain. Glorifying God means following His precepts, that is focusing on the fruit of the Spirit; faithfulness, love, self-control…(there are more that can be found in Galatians 5: 22-23), by practicing these in how we love each other, we glorify Him and it allows us to change our focus from what we want to what the Father wants.

3. Lean on God’s strength

I was recently told I’d have to find a new place to live because my apartment building was being demolished and my first instinct was to panic and to try figuring out what my next steps would be, but I stopped myself. I stopped and started asking God for guidance and strength in the situation and immediately I felt a peace and comfort wash over me.

We all need God’s strength and God calls us to lean on Him with all things. Psalm 55:22 says “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken” When we’re unsure, afraid, anxious, and worried, ask God for His strength through any situation. He wants us His children to seek Him first and recognize that by ourselves, we can do nothing and we don’t have to. God will strengthen you in your lowest moments. He calls us to Him.

All these things take constant practice and that’s why the walk with God is a lifelong relationship. So don’t think that you have to perfect anything, every day is a journey and He just wants to be a part of it with us.