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Day 41: Overcoming Weaknesses 2 (Bonus Lesson 6)

 We concluded in the previous lesson that God has made grace available for our weaknesses. However, grace is beyond unmerited favor, it is empowerment to do. To overcome the weakness of our flesh so that our love for Jesus may mature, we must put grace to work. So here are some practical ways to subdue the flesh:

  1. Spending time in prayer:
The very first and foundational way is to spend time in prayer. One of the things we must do in prayer is to consecrate ourselves each day. The human will cannot overcome the flesh. Philippians 2:13 tells us it is God's Spirit that works in us to will and to do. So we must obtain grace each day by laying ourselves before God as a living sacrifice. When we make a habit of this, we go through our day conscious of our separation to God and His Spirit helping us to stay consecrated.

Jesus said to the disciples in Matthew 26:41 to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation. It means then that strength to subdue the flesh and overcome temptation comes from prayer. When we spend time with God in prayer with open hearts, completely vulnerable before Him, He in His presence works on our weaknesses.
  1. The word of God:
According to Romans 12:2, transformation comes by the renewing of the mind. The way to do this is to take heed to Paul's words in Philippians 4:18:

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (New Living Translation)

Only the word of God has all the qualities listed above. So, we must not meditate on our failures but rather on that which Christ has done for and made us by His blood as expressed in scripture.
  1. Establish boundaries:
Get rid of anything that fuels the desires of the flesh. We must keep our desires in check. Paul tells us in Romans 13:14:

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."

Provision is planning and that begins in thought before it becomes action. The flesh runs rampage in thought first, its why Jesus said in Matthew 5:28:

"...whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Boundaries must begin in thought. We must arrest thoughts by confessing the word of God that address them. Then we must take it a step further by avoiding all that fuels the desires of the flesh. We must guard the gateways to our hearts: our eyes, ears, and mouth.
  1. Accountability:
When God created man, He said it is not good for man to be alone, not only in the context of marriage but in every day-to-day affair. Proverbs 27:17:

"It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a blade, and so one person sharpens the character of another." (The Passion Translation)

We must learn to cultivate Godly relationships that help us through tough times and seasons of challenges. It might be challenging to know who you can trust with your deepest, darkest secrets but if you table a request to God in all sincerity of heart, He'll open your eyes to someone around you or bring one your way.

There are many other ways but I believe from personal experience these are foundational. The most important thing however is to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to follow His nudging and guidance. He is there to help our infirmities.

PRAY WITH ME:
Lord, I consecrate myself and my desires to you. I let go of every attachment to the pleasures of the flesh. As I determine to put grace to work, help me Lord, and grant me strength by your Spirit. Amen.

REFLECT AND ACT:
  • Read Galatians 5 and Colossians 3. Find and write down other practical ways to overcome the flesh and cultivate character from these passages.
  • Galatians 5:16 says if we walk in the Spirit we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. What does it mean to you to walk in the Spirit and how do you do it continuously each day?

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