Victory Over the Second Source of Temptations
By: Bruce Wilkinson
Introduction
The world is outside or external to the believer and continually tempts the believer to return to the bondage of
sin. This second source of temptation is inside or internal to the believer and it is called his "flesh".
Unlike the world system, the "flesh" is part of us and therefore goes wherever we do.
What the Bible teaches
The Bible reveals some unpleasant news about you and me. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior,
our old man didn't! In fact, listen to the condition of our "flesh":
"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed
can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7-8
Our flesh is a literal enemy of God! Our flesh is not subject to God. Our flesh can't and won't be subject to
God. no matter how hard we try to "convert" or "improve" our flesh, it just won't change. Whenever
we give into the desires of our flesh, the result is obvious to everyone near us:
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which
do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galations 5:19-21
Therefore, when we sin in these matters and others similar to them, we know automatically that our "flesh"
was in the leadership role of our life.
It's Up To You
Since the Bible clearly teaches that the flesh cannot be subject to the law of God--what are you going to do? Attempt
to make it submit? Is not that what the vast majority of all believers seek to do regarding their lusts? Overcome
their flesh with more flesh? What arrogant unbelief rages in our blurred minds-- to read in the Bible that our
flesh can't be submissive and then to seek to make it submissive! No wonder so many men lie strewn on the pathway
of defeat--they're trying their best to defeat themselves with themselves!
Don;t forget that your "flesh" is who you were before you met Jesus Christ. The solution to your flesh
cannot be yourself because you can;t reform your flesh. And yet, your "flesh" dwells inside you. What
can you do to discover and enjoy victory over the flesh?
God solved this massive and universal problem with a two step solution. First, by Jesus Christ's death and resurrection,
He set us free from the bondage to the flesh. Second, He sent His Spirit into our lives (who also dwells in the
innermost part of our lives) for the supreme purpose of overpowering our flesh for and with us. Read carefully
the following verses to see God's solution to your flesh:
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of
the body, ye shall live." Romans 8:13
" Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not
in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the
lusts thereof." Romans 13:13-14
" This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. And they that
are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galations 5:16 and 24)
Key to victory over the "flesh" is the "walk in the Spirit" because as you do that, "you
shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh"! It's an amazing thing to read in Galations 5:17 that the
"flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another,
so you do not do the things that you wish". In practical terms then, there are two forces struggling inside
of you against each other because they are "contrary to one another". When the flesh is in control, then
the works of the flesh come pouring out and when the Spirit is in control, the fruit of the Spirit comes pouring
out. When the Spirit isn't in control, there is only one other power which can be in control--your flesh!
Victory over your flesh is by living in the Spirit. Don;t focus so much on your flesh as focus upon the Spirit.
In fact, Romans 8:5 shares this truth:
"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit
the things of the Spirit."
So, one question you may ask yourself as you seek victory over your flesh--how much do you think about the Holy
Spirit? Do you "grieve" him by your acts of sin and "quench" him by your willful neglect of
His wishes? Only by becoming a man of the Spirit can you become a man "not of the flesh".
Morning Bible reading:
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever
therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The
spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Morning Prayer
Dear God,
I awaken with You on my mind, oh my Savior and Lord. How wonderful are Your affections to me and how magnificent
are Your gifts for me. The gift of my salvation will be continuously unwrapped for all eternity--how can I ever
express my gratitude and love? Then I remember that you made this world as man's dwelling place--everywhere I look,
I see Your creativity and flair for intricate beauty.
Lord, I desire to love You and not the world or the things of the world. I covet you--and You who dwell in me
are earnestly jealous for me. How can these things be except by your grace and mercy! I therefore deny the things
of the world system especially the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life which are not
from You. Lord, I want to make myself more and more of Your friend. Lead me in the way.
Afternoon Bible reading
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit
the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Galatans 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 22 But the fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Afternoon Prayer
Dear Lord,
How often have I lived my life in the flesh! In fact, I so seldom "set my mind on things of the Spirit"--no
wonder that my life shows so little fruit of the Spirit like "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." How I long for the character of Christ rather than the fruit
of my flesh!
I confess the sin of living in my flesh rather than in the Spirit. I admit I have tried to improve my "flesh"
rather than crucify it! I have sought to pamper my flesh rather than "put it off" and "put on"
the new man in Christ. Lord, the ways of the flesh don't bring life nor joy but selfishness and distress. I repent
and confess my sin. I choose to walk in the Spirit so that I will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Thank You
for Victory through Your Holy Spirit.
Evening Bible Reading
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will
draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
Evening Prayer
Dear Great Warrior who Defeated all Enemies,
I bow in humility before You. I kneel, no I fall prostrate before You. None is like You in all the universe.
You have defeated Your enemies. You have defeated my enemies. None can stand before Your Victory. I submit to you
in all things and resist the enemy.
I am committed to personal holiness in times of temptation and therefore seek to "be strong in the Lord
and the power of His might" to "be able to stand against the whiles of the devil." Lord, I confess
my enemy has overrun me so many times because I have not heeded Your warnings nor put on Your armor and put it
on piece by piece. I am strong in the power of Your Might!
Yes, Lord!
