Dominating Your “Old Man”

 

THEME VERSE   “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 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.” Galatians 5:16-17 (KJV)

 

If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you’re born-again, glory to God! This is the most decisive action we as Christians have made for the rest of our lives.

However, how many of us born-again Christians still struggle with the lusts of the flesh? Countless, and this is true for the leaders and the ordinary members in our churches and communities.

Thank God who always has an answer to every impediment we’re facing. In today’s theme verse, Paul gives a tip on how to dominate our old man (the flesh). I can feel you’re asking how is the old man the flesh?

Just a quick answer just for you. Before you were born-again, you were flesh and leaving by the promptings and knowledge of the flesh. However, when you were born-again, you became spirit (new man) but that notwithstanding, you still have the old or former man (the flesh) and sad to say for a lot of Christians, the flesh still rules through its desires and above all the knowledge that promotes it.

The answer to dominating the flesh is to walk in the Spirit. What does this mean? In a bid to dominate the flesh, we must practice a new knowledge which impoverishes our flesh (human nature which is inherently selfish or self-seeking)

What does it mean to "walk" as mentioned in our opening verse? This doesn’t mean we start trekking in the Spirit ?. The verb “to Walk” is the Greek word peripateo which means to live (to regulate one’s life, or to conduct one’s self)

What is "Spirit" in this context? Spontaneously we will say "Spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit. This is correct, but we can go deeper. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (the Word). The Holy Spirit has no opinion of Himself but takes from Jesus Christ and reveals to us (John 16:13-15)

Added to this, Jesus says, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” John 6:63 (ESV). The Spirit, therefore, refers to the Words of Jesus Christ (The Word).

Therefore, the key to dominating the lust of the flesh (old man) is to regulate our lives and conduct one’s self according to the Word and yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit which we get at the place of bible study and meditation.

There are tendencies we can’t change because they hail from the blood; they are inherent. However, “…the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

The Word of God is the only knowledge in Heaven and under the heavens which can modify our genes and infuse in us a brand-new character even that of Jesus Christ. Let’s live and practice the Word, and we’ll dominate our old selves and radiate the perfection of Christ.

 

DAILY ACTION ITEMS I commit myself today onwards to apply the Word in every area of my life; my thoughts, speech, and actions. The way my Heavenly Father treats me is the standard on how to treat others and respond to situations. Amen.

 

PRAYER FROM ME WITH YOU Father thank you for giving up your very best for me when I was least deserving. Thank you for recreating in Christ Jesus. Thank you for showing me this day how to dominate my old self and radiate your perfect character. I commit to regulating my life, business and career by your Word and the guiding of the Holy Spirit.

Read more Christian articles from the author at https://wordlyglobal.com/acumen-for-life/