I feel encouraged today, to write about the struggle of the spirit against the flesh, which is something that I have become very familiar with in this journey as a Minister for Christ and Father Yahweh.
For some, the struggle against flesh can be a daily struggle depending upon the lives we lead. For others, it can crop up every once in a great while. And, there are many that don’t even realize it exists. But regardless, it’s something that we have all felt deeply within us. Some people refer to this struggle as their conscience. Knowing the difference between right and wrong. But knowing, and doing, are two different things.
The question we must each face each day is, “I know what the right thing to do is, but which path do I take?” There are truly only two choices. You can take the path that Christ walked, and walk in his footsteps, or you can take your own path. One path, Christ’s path, is also Father’s path. The path that She sets for us that guides us along the way in doing Her will. It is also referred to as the Narrow path. It is a spiritual rather than fleshly path; meaning, it leads to Father, via Her son Christ Jesus, who is Spirit. It is also the harder path, because we are all innately sinful and it goes against what the flesh desires, which is the easier path. And, by taking it, we may not obtain that which we want at that point in time, but in the long run we will be doing Father’s will which is far more important than anything we might want for ourselves and this, is where the struggle lies.
[ The Spirit versus the Flesh ] “I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.” Galatians 5:16-17
As an example, how many times has someone sinned against you and made you angry and you felt inside that you wanted to retaliate whether it is via words or actions? And how much more strength did you know it would take to subdue yourself knowing that Father would not want you to take matters into your own hands? This is a situation in which the spirit would be opposed to the flesh, and it’s up to each of us in determining what the correct path would be to take. Do we do what we want, or what Father wants?
This of course, is all assuming that you even know what Father wants. There are many in this world who do not and who in essence, are living according to the sinful nature they have their minds set on. They are victims of the flesh and the desires of the flesh. Many are also hostile towards Father, because Father does not permit many things that their flesh desires. Rather than seeing Father’s commandments and laws as a path to life, they see it as an attempt to stifle and control and in no way can this mindset please Father.
“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8
If only more people understood that not only are we fighting against our own fleshly desires. The war we wage is not a fleshly war. Our weapons are not made of iron and steel and our counterparts are not fleshly either. For the past 6,000 years, the war has been spiritual and it has been for our very souls and for the eternal life that we’ve been promised. And we are caught in the midst of the battle zone.
“For although we are walking in the flesh, we do not wage war in a fleshly way,” 2 Corinthians 10:3
However, Father has not left us unprepared. We are given guidance via Her Word, which is the guidebook to obtaining eternal life. If only we follow these words written in the Holy Scriptures and write them upon our hearts, we are given the tools and weapons to more than adequately fight this war.
In addition, we are given guidance via Her Holy Spirit, which nourishes us and provides us with the strength we need to go on fighting and not give in to the rulers and authorities of darkness. Not only are we struggling against our own fleshly desires but we battle in our minds, the ones who would most like to see us fail.
“For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” Ephesians 6:12
So, now that we understand what the struggle is, how do we combat it? When feelings of anger, impatience, jealousy, or sexual immorality (etc.) crop up, what is our best defense? How do we “shake off” these thoughts and feelings and move forward while continuingto walk in Christ’s footsteps?
The first step is to first learn what Father expects of us by studying the Word and learning via Christ’s example. And then, when an unacceptable thought or feeling crops up, acknowledge the thought or feeling for what it is – not being in alignment with Her will – immediately dismiss it and then turn to Father in repentance and prayer. In essence, we are then turning our thoughts away from that which is sinful, and focusing on that which is holy and righteous. This is how we fight the spiritual war and the struggles of spirit against flesh. This is how we stay on the Narrow Path, by cultivating a heart condition patterned after Christ Jesus, and make it home.