As believers, we often find ourselves in an internal struggle between our desires to do what’s right and the pull toward old habits and ways of thinking. This battle is not a sign of failure or a split personality but a natural part of our growth as new creatures in Christ. Let’s explore this battle and how we can navigate it with God’s help.
The Nature of the Flesh
When we talk about “the flesh” in a spiritual context, we’re not referring to our physical bodies, but rather to the old patterns of thinking and behavior that we developed before trusting Christ for our eternal salvation. These are the ways we tried to meet our needs and find fulfillment apart from God. Even after salvation, these ingrained habits and thinking patterns can persist, creating tension in our lives.
It’s crucial to understand that as believers, we are not spiritual Siamese twins or schizophrenic saints. We are new creatures in Christ, but we still reside in what we might call an “old earth suit” – our physical bodies with their associated thought patterns and habits. This is why we can feel conflicted at times.
Imagine the flesh as a well-worn path in a forest. Even after we’ve found a new, better route, our feet naturally want to follow the familiar trail. This is why Paul says in Romans 7:15, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” We find ourselves struggling against these old pathways, desiring to walk in the newness of life but often stumbling back into familiar patterns.
The Spirit vs. The Flesh
The apostle Paul describes this conflict vividly in Galatians 5:17: “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.” This verse isn’t describing a battle between two equal parts of ourselves, but rather the tension between our new identity in Christ and the remnants of our old ways of thinking, coping, and behaving i.e., the flesh.
Think of it like this: gravity constantly pulls us down, but the principles of lift and thrust allow airplanes to overcome gravity and fly. Similarly, while the flesh (like gravity) pulls us towards old patterns, the Spirit of God within us working in conjunction with God’s word provides the “lift” to overcome these tendencies.
Renewing the Mind
So how do we navigate this tension? The key lies in renewing our minds. Romans 12:2 tells us, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
This renewal is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. It involves:
- Recognizing deceptive thought patterns.
- Replacing them with God’s truth.
- Consistently choosing to act on that truth.
Imagine you’ve always associated watching TV with snacking. Even after deciding to eat healthier, you might find yourself automatically reaching for chips when you sit down to watch a show. Breaking this habit requires a conscious effort to recognize the pattern, remind yourself of your new goals, and choose a different action. Similarly, spiritual growth often involves recognizing ingrained thought patterns and consciously choosing to align our thinking with God’s Word.
This process of renewal requires active participation on our part. We must learn to recognize and reject the “deceptive brain messages” that arise from the flesh. These messages – false thoughts, unhelpful impulses, or distorted perceptions – often contradict our true identity in Christ. By consciously choosing to align our thoughts with God’s truth, we begin to forge new neural pathways, literally rewiring our brains to reflect our new nature in Christ.
It’s important to note that this struggle is not about trying harder in our own strength. Paul warns in Galatians 3:3, “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Attempting to overcome the flesh through sheer willpower or adherence to a set of rules is futile and often counterproductive. Instead, we are called to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), relying on God’s power working within us.
Freedom from the Law
This brings us to a crucial point: the role of the law in the believer’s life. Paul states in Galatians 5:18, “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” The law, while good and holy, has the effect of stirring up or fertilizing the flesh. It demands performance and can lead to either self-righteousness or despair. But as believers, we are called to live by the Spirit, not by a set of external rules.
Living by the Spirit doesn’t mean we abandon moral standards. Rather, it means we approach godly living from a different perspective – one of grace and inner transformation rather than external conformity. As we walk in the Spirit, we naturally produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23).
Practical Steps for Growth
- Daily renew your mind through Scripture reading and meditation.
- Practice identifying negative thought patterns and replacing them with biblical truth.
- Focus on God’s grace and your identity in Christ, rather than on rigid rule-keeping.
- Be patient with yourself – breaking old habits takes time and consistent effort.
Remember, you are not your thoughts or your past behaviors. In Christ, you are a new creature with a new identity. The old patterns may still try to assert themselves, but they no longer define you.
Conclusion
The battle between the flesh and the Spirit is real, but it’s not a fight between two equal parts of ourselves. We are new creatures in Christ, learning to live out that reality in bodies and minds that still carry the imprints of our old ways. By consistently renewing our minds, relying on the Holy Spirit, and focusing on our true identity in Christ, we can increasingly experience the freedom and fruitfulness God intends for us.
This journey isn’t about achieving perfection through our own efforts. It’s about growing in our dependence on God and allowing His truth to transform us from the inside out. As we do, we’ll find ourselves increasingly able to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16) and experience the Grace Life.
So the next time you feel that internal struggle, remember: it’s not a sign of failure, but an opportunity for growth. You are not divided against yourself – you are a beloved child of God, growing in grace and being transformed by His love. Embrace the process, lean on God’s word, and watch as God works in and through you in powerful ways.
Pastor Bryan Ross
Grace Life Bible Church
Grand Rapids, MI
February 21, 2025
Resources For Further Study
Galatians 5:17-18 Led Of The Spirit Not Under The Law (YouTube Video)