Consider a tug-of-war game where two people pull the rope in opposite directions. The rope tightens and strains under the opposing forces, clearly showing their direct conflict.

Similarly, when two things are contrary to one another, they are fundamentally different and work against each other.

In such a scenario, one side must ultimately prevail, and it will most definitely be the side that has an advantage or edge over the other.

In today’s devotional, we would be exploring the duelling conflict that exists between the flesh and the spirit, which are contrary to one another.

Galatians 5:17

New King James Version

17 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.

The Bible let’s us know that the flesh wars against the spirit that we do not do what we want. Many believers face a constant struggle, having a desire to do what is right yet still falling short. The actions fail to match those desires.

Apostle Paul puts it this way:

Romans 7:19

New King James Version

19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

Many believers battle with sin and temptations. However, the Bible let’s us know in Romans 6:6-7, that we have being set free from the bondage of sin. How then, do we walk in this freedom that we have?

Romans 6:6-7

New King James Version

6 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.

7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

The first step to walking in this freedom is to understand who you were before salvation and to recognize who you are now in Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-3

New King James Version

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

As believers, this was our previous relationship with sin. The Bible described us as being slaves of sin before salvation (Romans 6:20). Sin was natural to the old man. No matter how hard we tried, regardless of our conscious efforts, we were led away by our desires. Sin had the upper hand. It had dominion.

At salvation, there was a turn of events. Glory to God!

The old man was crucified, hence we are free and no longer under the bondage of sin (Romans 6:6-7). Not only that, we received a new nature which gives us dominion over the flesh and sin.

We became new creatures, received a new heart and a regenerated Spirit capable of doing the desires of God.

This is our new identity!

II Corinthians 5:17

New King James Version

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

New King James Version

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

Philippians 2:13

New King James Version

13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

The beautiful thing is that you are not helpless or alone. The Holy Spirit works in us, shapes us and changes us to be like Christ. We have been redeemed and now we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live righteously for God.

Galatians 5:16

New King James Version

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Apostle Paul explains that the solution to the duel between the flesh and the Spirit, is to walk in the Spirit. He says, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”.

By dying daily to the flesh and yielding to the Spirit, we can consistently experience a transformation and walk in our victory over sin. Walk with the consciousness of who you are now in Christ and let the Holy Spirit lead you daily.

Dear believer, you have victory over sin. You are no longer a slave to sin. Now and everyday, walk in your freedom!

Prayer Point:

Thank you Father for the new life I have in Christ and for the empowerment by your Spirit to live righteously. Daily, I walk with this consciousness and yield to the Spirit of God in me. It is evident that I am a new man in Christ.