“𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗛”

“𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗛”

Romans 7:18; Galatians 5:16–17; Romans 8:1–9

> “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh...” — Galatians 5:17 (KJV)

𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:

Every believer faces a daily battlefield — not against people, but against the flesh within. The image reminds us: your flesh doesn’t care about eternity, because it’s not going there. It was not redeemed — your spirit was.

In the Dispensation of Grace, believers are positionally in Christ (Ephesians 2:6), but practically we still carry a body of sin (Romans 7:24). The old man was crucified (Romans 6:6), yet his influence tries to resurrect daily.

Let’s see seven powerful truths about overcoming the flesh — in light of Pauline revelation.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗠 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗛 – Its Nature Is Corrupt

Romans 7:18; Galatians 5:19–21; Ephesians 2:3

A. Defiled by Sin – “In my flesh dwelleth no good thing.”

No reformation works here; only crucifixion does.

B. Driven by Self – “Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.”

The flesh seeks comfort, not conformity to Christ.

C. Destined for the Grave – “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”

The body perishes; the spirit endures.

Dispensational Note: Under grace, the believer’s flesh is not improved but ignored — God deals with the new creation in Christ, not the old Adamic nature.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗛 – It Still Seeks Control

Romans 7:23; Galatians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 9:27

A. It Wages War – “Another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind.”

The inner battle is spiritual, not physical.

B. It Weakens the Will – “What I would, that do I not.”

Even the apostle Paul confessed this struggle.

C. It Wants Worship – The flesh wants recognition, not submission.

It exalts self above Savior.

Dispensational Note: The believer is not under law, yet must exercise spiritual discipline — not to earn salvation, but to live worthy of his position in Christ (Rom. 6:14).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗛 – It Was Crucified at Calvary

Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:11

A. Crucified Positionally – “Our old man is crucified with Him.”

This is our standing in grace.

B. Circumcised Spiritually – “Putting off the body of the sins of the flesh.”

A spiritual operation made without hands!

C. Conquered Permanently – “I am crucified with Christ.”

The death of the flesh was settled at the cross.

Dispensational Note: The believer’s deliverance is not through confession and ritual (as under the Law), but through identification with Christ’s finished work — a Pauline revelation (Rom. 6:11).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗧 – We Are In Christ, Not in the Flesh

Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:13

A. Sealed in Christ – “If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.”

The Spirit’s indwelling marks ownership and safety.

B. Separated from Condemnation – “There is therefore now no condemnation.”

We’re no longer under Adam’s curse.

C. Secured in Salvation – “Ye are complete in Him.”

Our position is permanent; our practice must align.

Dispensational Note: This truth belongs only to the Body of Christ, not Israel. Our identity is heavenly, not earthly (Phil. 3:20).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 – Walk, Work, and Win by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:13–14; Colossians 3:5

A. Walk Spiritually – “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

Victory is not by willpower, but by the Spirit’s power.

B. War Strategically – “Mortify therefore your members.”

Kill sin before sin kills your joy.

C. Work Sincerely – “If ye through the Spirit do mortify...”

Dependence, not determination, brings deliverance.

Dispensational Note: The Spirit’s ministry now is to strengthen the inner man (Eph. 3:16), not to perform miracles or tongues as in the early Acts period.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧 – Fruit, Not Frustration

Galatians 5:22–23; Ephesians 5:9; Romans 8:6

A. Fruit of Character – “Love, joy, peace...”

These reveal transformation, not imitation.

B. Fruit of Conduct – “Goodness and righteousness and truth.”

The Spirit produces holiness, not hypocrisy.

C. Fruit of Comfort – “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Peace replaces the torment of sin’s control.

Dispensational Note: Unlike Israel’s physical blessings, the Church’s fruit is spiritual, reflecting Christ’s life within (Gal. 4:19).

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 – The Flesh Will Be Gone Forever

Romans 8:23; Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:52–53

A. Redemption of the Body – “We wait for... the redemption of our body.”

The rapture completes what salvation began.

B. Resurrection of the Believer – “This corruptible must put on incorruption.”

The sinful body will be replaced with a sinless one.

C. Rejoicing in Eternity – “Fashioned like unto His glorious body.”

No more struggle — just eternal service and praise.

Dispensational Note: The rapture of the Body of Christ (1 Thess. 4:13–18) ends our battle with the flesh forever — a mystery revealed only to Paul.

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡:

The flesh fights for control, but the Spirit fights for your conformity.
Your flesh doesn’t care about eternity — but your spirit lives for it.
Every choice you make either feeds the flesh or fortifies the faith.

Remember: the flesh is not going with you to heaven — so don’t let it rule you on earth.

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:

Crucify the flesh daily. (Gal. 5:24)
Consecrate your life to the Spirit. (Rom. 12:1–2)
Continue walking in grace, not guilt. (Rom. 8:1)

Live as who you already are — dead to sin, alive to God!

𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦

Problem – The Flesh Is Corrupt
Power – The Flesh Still Fights
Punishment – The Flesh Was Crucified
Position – The Saint Is In Christ
Practice – Walk in the Spirit
Product – Bear Spiritual Fruit
Promise – Await Glorification

𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧:
Don’t feed what’s fading; don’t obey what’s dying.
Your flesh was defeated, your spirit is delivered, your future is glorified.
So walk by faith — not by the flesh!