Text: Romans 6:1-16
Memory text:
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Today, let’s consider how the Word transforms believers from carnality to spirituality.
It is true that we became saved when we heard the Word, and we were transformed from sinners to saints; changed from unrighteous to righteous. We were sanctified through salvation. This is a positional state, but in reality, we still experience times of falling down and rising from sin; struggling between yielding to the desires of the spirit and of the flesh. There is a conflict between the duo ‭‭(Gal‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬).
The flesh is also called the old man, sinful nature, human nature, or the corrupt nature. At redemption, this old nature was crucified with Christ. “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”
‭‭(Rom‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬). All who are in Christ have crucified the flesh (Gal 2:20; 5:24). However, death must be a daily occurrence. Our old nature must be crucified daily. We must live the crucified life. “… I die daily.” (I Cor‬ ‭15‬:‭31‬).
The flesh is like a lawn that always grows bushy when left uncut for some time, even though it was cut low and cleaned at the beginning. Thus, it must be mowed frequently to maintain its initial appearance. Likewise, you must consistently mortify or put to death your flesh if you have to live the spiritual life (Col 3:5)
Do you stab or starve yourself to put the flesh to death? No, you don’t fight the flesh with the flesh but with the Spirit. Firstly, know that your body is not your flesh. In fact, while your flesh is to be put to death, your body is to be protected (1 Cor 3:16-17). The flesh is not something physical. It’s the power of the old sinful nature that manifests in the physical body. It is the sinful inclination that opposes God’s will.
Secondly, according to our memory text, the flesh is to be put to death through the Spirit. This involves using the weapon of the Word (John 6:63). Remember that there is a war between the Spirit and the flesh. You therefore prevail over the flesh by consistently declaring in prayer what God has said about the flesh and its defeat such as in Gal 2:20; 5:24; Rom 6:7, 11-14; 13:12-14.
Friends, victory over the flesh is only possible through the Spirit, declaring the Word by faith in prayer and consistently.

Prayer points
1. I proclaim the flesh and its works perpetually dead in me, and I won’t yield to it, in Jesus’ name.
2. I end the reign of sin and of its dominion over me, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I daily enforce my victory over the flesh by declaring God’s Word by faith.
2. Flesh won’t rise up again in my life because I die daily to the flesh.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng