I’m going to kill myself today… you should too!
Have you ever wondered why you are not as good as you know you ought to be? Have you ever been deeply disappointed with something you have done? If you have ever said, “I can’t believe I said or did that,” just know, others have faced the same dilemma. In a previous article titled WWW III, I outlined methods used by evil to make you fall. While that is no doubt a significant obstacle in achieving Vertailty, your greatest enemy is the person you see in the mirror.
When I say I am going to kill myself, I don’t mean my physical body. Suicide cannot escape one’s own personality. It is the one aspect that we can take with us after death. The flesh however, can be offed. Follow along as I layout the need to part ways.
Everyday I’m homiciding/
Killing that villain within me, sometimes it’s traumatizing (ain’t it?)/
But bro it’s not surprising/
That it brings me joy when I cling to his word/
I’m promise riding/
I promise I been regretting it when I’m not abiding/-Trip Lee “You Don’t Know”
The Change In Your Nature
I hate to break it to you but when you make the conscious decision to follow Christ, the old sinful nature you have does not die. It is still there. The Bible calls it the flesh, old man, and the carnal (worldly) mind. When you were saved, your spirit became alive and active. An unsaved man walks after the flesh-his spirit is dead and non existent. (Ephesians 2:1) A true Christian has both the fleshly and the spiritual natures. He or she is dual nature. That is where your battle comes in. Below are scriptures that mention these two natures inside of you:
Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Romans 8:5-7, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
Galatians 5:17-19, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”
Galatians 6:8, “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
An Old Testament Analogy
In Galatians 4, the account is repeated of how Abraham had two sons-one by his wife Sarah and one by the handmaid Hagar. The son born to Hagar was named Ishmael and was born first. He represents the flesh born in sin and bondage. Isaac was the second son (13 years later) who represents the Spirit.
Ishmael mocked and ridiculed Isaac until Ishmael and Hagar were forced to leave. The flesh has been in you longer than the Spirit and is often stronger. Ishmael was 13 when Isaac was born and obviously was the stronger of the two.
How old is your flesh? How old is your Spirit? Do you see why there is a battle? The flesh does not want to give up control. When there are two leaders in one house(your body), there will be trouble.
Flesh:
Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Spirit:
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
An unsaved person can sin and enjoy it. A saved man is miserable after he sins. He has a new man living inside—a new nature that wants to please God.
You can wash and perfume a pig and he will walk right back into the hog pen to wallow in the mud. You can throw a sheep into the mud and he will quickly get out. Their natures are different. The spiritual nature and the fleshly nature are opposites. A lost man can enjoy sin and not want to stop, while a saved man is miserable when in sin.
A Christian cannot do the works of the flesh and have the fruit of the Spirit at the same time. We are commanded to fight the flesh so victory can be in our lives. The fight is over the soul (emotions, thoughts, decisions.) The flesh and Spirit both want to control the soul. The one who controls the soul controls the body.
When Is The Fight The Hardest?
The flesh fights hardest when there is a decision to make. A decision to get saved, be faithful in church, tithe(money,time or resources), sharing the word, improving yourself, etc.
When Is The Flesh The Strongest?
Late at night
Proverbs 7:9, “In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night.”
Be careful about being out late in the evening. Your resistance is lower.
When Hungry
The devil tempted Jesus’ flesh after 40 days of fasting. Tempers flare and unkind words can be said when hungry. Do battle with the flesh. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of pottage.
When out of Schedule
2 Samuel, Chapter 11, gives the account of David committing adultery when he was suppose to be in battle. Keep your guard up during vacation, holidays, and summertime.
When Tired
1 Kings, Chapter 19, gives the account of Elijah resigning the ministry because he was weary. Do not make major decisions when tired.
Final Word: How To Commit A Homicide Against Your Flesh
Do Battle Daily
Paul said “I die daily.” Begin each day declaring war on the flesh! Make it a habit. Perseverance and due diligence will lead to success.
Use only Spiritual Weapons
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal Exercise your spiritual senses. Bury yourself with spiritual activities: prayer, Bible, giving, fasting, exercising, helping needy people, visiting hospitals, working around the church, writing encouraging letters, teaching Sunday School, driving a church bus, etc. In health clubs they say “No Pain—No Strain—No Gain!” Exercise your spiritual senses. You must be in shape to defeat the flesh. The more you fight, the quicker you grow!
Live in in the word
That is where your strength will be. A missionary was speaking to an Indian who had become a Christian. The Indian told how he was having a battle in his heart like having a white and black bulldog fighting. “Who wins?” asked the missionary. “The one I feed the most,” replied the Indian. Feed your spirit with Scripture.
