THE FLESH IN CONFLICT WITH THE SPIRIT

Wednesday 08

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)

READ: Galatians 5:16–18

Human flesh–also known as human nature–usually lusts against the human spirit that wants to do what is right: the will of God or the Word of God (Galatians 5:17).

There is a struggle going on the inside of every average believer who is yet to crucify the flesh (Colossians 3:5).

An example of the kind of tussle that takes place on the inside of a believer who has not crucified the flesh is mentioned in Romans 7:15.

READ: Romans 7:15–25

This struggle or tussle that goes on between the flesh and the human spirit can only be subdued when a believer consistently feeds on the Word of God, the Bible. Albeit, a lot of believers are
failing in this. Thus, there are many carnal believers, struggling whether to obey their flesh or spirit when decisions are to be made in their daily affairs. Such believers might be well-intentioned, and might be prompted to do according to God’s Word, but their flesh will be aroused to counter the good thing they intended to do:
“FOR THE GOOD THAT I WILL TO DO, I DO NOT DO; BUT THE EVIL I WILL NOT TO DO, THAT I PRACTICE.”
Romans 7:19 (NKJV)

There are enough attractions of the world that can stimulate an average believer to do contrary to the Bible. If you can take time to consistently feed daily on the Word of God, the Bible, and practice it (James 1:22–25), you will see your flesh being gradually weakened and becoming insensitive and unmoved by the alluring things of the world. However, this will be as a result of your long-term commitment to the reading, studying and practising of the Word
(Psalm 1:1–3).

After a long period of consistently feeding on the Word of God, living in line with the Bible and being submissive to the Holy Spirit’s urgings, it will become a normal and usual way of life
for you. However, if consistency in feeding on the Word and the practising of it is not there, the struggle or tussle between the flesh and your spirit will not cease—it will remain as it was when you newly gave your life to Christ (Romans 12:1,2). This is the reason why a number of believers who have been in the Christian faith are still struggling with certain sins or works of the flesh in their lives.

• They have not taken time to work on their flesh through daily feeding on the Word of God (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1–3).
• Moreover, they have not been practising the Bible; they are not practical in their Christian faith (James 1:22–25).

For the struggle between your flesh and spirit to be mitigated and reduced, you have to be a student of the Word and be a practicer of whatever you know or read in it. This struggling cannot be gotten rid of instantly; it takes time. It is done through consistent commitment to the reading, studying and practising of the Word of God, the Bible. Take a step now!

Re f l e c t :
• Are you currently experiencing a tussle between your flesh and your spirit in any area of your life?
• How consistent are you in feeding on the Word in order to weaken the hold of the flesh in your life?

Peace.

July 2026 Edification Daily Devotional is here. Download your free copy:
• Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SBQMPzCqlmRnvNuP4um1U9xv2HlW3uD7/view?usp=drive_link
• Telegram: https://t.me/Bethel_Digital_Library/42