Test the Spirits, Read your WORD, have a journal and a pen/highlighter, and pray and submit this to the LORD. Let the Holy Spirit guide and lead you.

Romans 12:2, Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what GOD’s will is- His good pleasing, and perfect will. 

Renewing The Mind

Crucifying the flesh means not leaning on your own understanding nor your desires that are contrary to GOD. You have to remember that the flesh is hostile to GOD, it does not want to obey GOD.

Here are two examples:

1. Watching television all night rather than praying or meditating on the WORD. 
2. Being on your phone instead of being in prayer when you wake up first thing in the morning.

Some, and I was there as well, think that reading the bible is boring. But you know what makes it boring? Your flesh is doing the talking! Remember, your flesh wants to do the opposite of GOD’s will. 

The only way to renew your mind, and align it with GOD’s will is by meditating on the WORD. Habits are difficult to put in motion because it needs to be consistent. So if you find yourself inconsistent with meditating the WORD, ask the Holy Spirit to help you draw near the WORD. And make sure that you take the initiative by faith and keep reading the WORD as well. 

Joshua 1:8, Keep this Book of Law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 

Think of the flesh having its own mind and being disobedient. The only thing that matters to the flesh is itself rather than the things that matter to GOD. This leads me to the next point. 

What Matters To You vs What Matters To GOD

What matters to you is actually what matters to the flesh. Did you know that?! So you are following the desires of the flesh, therefore the flesh is your god.

Paul mentions in Philippians 3:19 concerning this: Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

The matters of the flesh are selfishness, impurity, and perversion. So that means that you are selfish, impure, and perverted!

Bad company corrupts good character!

This is not being mean, so do not think I am being mean. The truth is you become who you follow! When you follow the desires of the flesh, you become it. That is why I meant by selfishness, impurity, wickedness, and perversion. 

But GOD is not that. He’s far from that. The LORD Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to love each other, not be selfish. Paul says to crucify the flesh with its passion and desires.

This tells us that the flesh has passions and desires, but they are contrary to the will of GOD. 

So what matters to GOD? TO have authority and say no to the flesh! TO delight in Him! To spend time with Him. To Love GOD and love others as yourself. To be clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. To walk with the Spirit, the Holy Spirit. You cannot walk in the flesh and walk with the Holy Spirit, it’s one or the other.

No compromise. It’s not a gray area, it’s either black or white!

When you walk in the matters of GOD your desires and passions are to do GOD’s will. But when you walk in the matter of the flesh, you desire to do its will!

Remember Adam and Eve! Eve had a choice to follow and obey the commandments of GOD, but she allowed the flesh, which is hostile to GOD, to take over and she ate the fruit.

Remember Cain and Abel. Abel brought a sacrifice that was accepted by GOD while Cain did not. This led Cain to be angry at his brother. But let’s remember what the LORD said to Cain, If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at your door. Its desires is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7

In the NLT version, The WORD says, …sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.

Leaning on the flesh/desiring the things of the flesh leads to sin, as seen in the WORD.

The flesh, that is the sin, leads to control you! But you must use your authority and say no to it! Which brings me to another point. 

Walking In Your Authority

We are living in a world where the flesh and idols are increasingly being worshipped! The enemy is trying to steal, kill, and destroy the children of GOD by leading them to walk with the flesh. But the LORD GOD has given you authority to trample over snakes and scorpions and overcome all powers of the enemy, nothing shall harm you.

We lost our authority and dominion on earth because Adam disobeyed and ate the fruit, therefore us being subdued by the flesh and its desires.

Stand on your authority and say, “Hell…NO.” Or as the man of GOD says, “Shut the flesh up.” Say no to the entanglement of the flesh and claim/decree freedom in Christ Jesus because whom the Son set free is free indeed. Know this TRUTH and you shall be free!

Romans 8:5, 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 mind set on what the Spirit desires.

How can you say no to the flesh? You speak in the name of Jesus Christ, whose authority is in the heaven, earth, and under the earth. 

You build up habits, routines, and boundaries that separate you from the flesh/ the world and all that is in it.

Routines/ Habits/ Boundaries = Renewed Mind, Transformation

Start with 15 minutes for one or two weeks, then increase it to 30 minutes, you can switch it up by worshipping, reading, and praying for yourself and others. Build those habits and be consistent!!

Now will we be perfect walking while crucifying our flesh? No. Even Paul says that there are times he finds himself doing things he wants to do but does the opposite, in Romans 7. 

We are loved by GOD, high, deep, long, and wide! So when He told Cain to overcome the sin, the flesh, He had a good purpose and reason to say so.

While we walk in the spirit, let us come to the throne of grace, to ask for His mercy, strength, and grace to walk in the things He desires.

If you have found yourself walking in the flesh but now you see the wrong in it, come to the Father and humble yourself before Him, knowing that you need Him to subdue this flesh, repent of your sin from the heart, and ask the LORD Jesus Christ to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. And ask the Holy Spirit to help you so you walk with Him in prayer, meditation for the WORD, and Worship. GOD is more than able!