Fighting my sinful flesh is a battle many days.

I’ve been studying Romans 8 and God has been speaking to me about specific things in my life that Satan uses to push my buttons.

You see, we all have very vulnerable flesh patterns. We all struggle with different things that can pull us out of operating in the spirit…..and instead…operating in the flesh.

So as I looked at this over and over, it occurred to me that – first we got to get it through our minds – to remember that at salvation – the old self was crucified. (Romans 6:6)

Therefore the Holy Spirit lives in us…and seeks to fill (control) our entire person.

If I truly believe HE changed me at salvation – I will live like I believe it. I accept by FAITH….that the old self was crucified….and believing is half the battle my friend.

So here’s what it says in Romans…..

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”  Romans 8:5

Here is the key friends….hang with me here…..

Today….ask yourself….What’s your mind set on?

What is your focus on?

Is it things of the flesh that are occupying your mind?

The worries of the world? The fears? The secret places of pride that we can’t go to in our heads? Is it the love of material things? Is your focus something sexually impure ? Is it bitterness, pain, grief or a judge-mental attitude? Are you stuck in the past? Is there unforgiveness sleeping in your heart? Do you worry about what others think of you? Is it greed, jealousy or dishonesty?

To live independently of the Spirit means we operate in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.

Be honest….

We all have different struggles…..God spoke to me about the desire for comfort, worry, doubt, and fear…..

Whatever your flesh struggle is…..you don’t have to live this way any longer.

We can’t operate in the Spirit when the enemy is controlling our minds….. that my friends is a stronghold.

Yea- good little Christian boys and girls can talk about how good God is, how faithful HE is, go to church or read the bible….. and then turn right around and walk in the flesh on a daily basis.

This is where the rubber hits the road. If we truly believe HE overcame absolutely everything wrong in us when we came to salvation….then we will operate in the Spirit….not the flesh.

So whats the solution? How do we apply this knowledge from here?

First – we confess. We confess every stinking, fleshly thing that is dominating our focus and our body.

Second – we accept that HE changed us by faith at salvation and we start desperately seeking the Holy Spirit on a minute by minute basis. Dig in the word of GOD and find all scriptures that pertain to your flesh bondage. Fall on your face and cry out to GOD for help to rely on the Spirit.

Third – When you fall….oh and you will….you get back up and repeat steps 1 and 2 and start again. You keep pushing and fighting for your focus to be saturated by the Holy Spirit! And before you know it…..you’ll fall less and less as you follow the Spirit constantly.

It takes will…it takes effort….but if we do….the Holy Spirit will help us do the rest.

So are we going to believe and “LIVE” like we are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT?

Or are we going to allow the enemy to control our minds by holding our flesh hostage to the things that push our buttons?

God gives us the free will to choose…flesh or Spirit.

Oh sweet Lord….help us choose wisely today and everyday.