Summary:

The key to avoiding walking in the flesh is to choose to walk in the Spirit. You do this by being aware of the conflict in which you are engaged (your flesh opposing your spirit man),
submitting to God and recognizing that you are not fighting alone, as
well as by recognizing that your flesh is no longer the real you.

1. The flesh is a way of thinking that is contrary to the thoughts of God (Galatians 5:16-24).
   1. Everything begins with a thought.
      1. Negative thought seeds that are nourished produce roots and strongholds in your mind; they are the groundwork for the works of the flesh.
      2. Right thinking produces right actions.
   2. You must set your mind on the things of the flesh before you can do the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
   3. To walk in line with the Word is to be spiritual.
   4. The answer to walking in the flesh is walking in the Spirit.
      
      
2. There are four steps to walking in the Spirit.
   1. Be aware of the conflict in which you are engaged.
      1. Your born-again spirit is in conflict with your body and soul.
      2. Your mind must be renewed so that it can make your body align itself with your spirit.
      3. Your spirit and flesh, or carnal mind, are both fighting for dominance in your life.
   2. Put first things first.
      1. Walk in the Spirit first so you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.
         1. Submit yourself to God first before trying to resist the Devil (James 4:6-8).
         2. There is power in submission; Satan has access to you only when you walk in the flesh.
      2. Take authority over fleshy thoughts by speaking God’s Word out loud.
         1. Find out what God has to say about the situation you are in.
         2. Thoughts must submit to words.
   3. Recognize that you are not alone in this battle.
      1. The Apostle Paul struggled with his flesh’s opposition to his spirit (Romans 7:21-25).
      2. As a believer, you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1-2), so don’t walk in condemnation—even if you have sinned, or
         missed the mark.
         1. If you have sinned, you should automatically think righteousness; condemnation and guilt are indications that you are in the flesh.
         2. To walk in the Spirit, you must understand what God says about forgiveness and righteousness (Luke 5:20).
      3. When the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus is activated, you are set free from condemnation and guilt—you are cleansed through Jesus’
         blood.
      4. Remember, as you train yourself to defeat your flesh, it will be stirred up even more.
   4. Recognize that your flesh is not “the real you” anymore.
      1. You must convince yourself that you are not who you used to be (2 Corinthians 5:17).
      2. Selfishness is the fuel that feeds the flesh; overcome selfishness by identifying the things that occupy your mind and do those things for
         someone else.
      3. When you do something great for someone else, you starve your flesh; the quickest way for you to get things to happen for you is to make them happen for someone else (Luke 6:31).

Scripture References:

• Galatians 5:16-24
• James 4:6-8
• Romans 7:21-25
• Romans 8:1-2
• 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Luke 6:31
• Luke 5:20

Pastor Robert Bagonza

Redeemed Church

www.mrolec.org