Mankind has been under the control of sin since his early existence. Sin dwells in the flesh of man. Paul knew that the temptation to sin did not cease after being converted; therefore, he taught that our spirit is the only thing that can be renewed and not the flesh. How true! The flesh cannot be renewed and nothing good can abide in it. Thus, to conquer the flesh, it has to be brought under the authority of Christ. I Corinthians 9:26 states that Paul had to discipline his body (flesh) and bring it under control.

We can only bring the flesh under control when we walk in honesty. This is the first step to overcoming the flesh. Though we are believers, we must not deceive ourselves.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, and be acquainted with his own heart and mind]? (Jeremiah 17:9 Amplified)

The scriptures warn us to guard our hearts and minds. Why? Our hearts and minds can deceive us. We must make sure we know what is in them. We must acknowledge our capacity to sin (I John 1:8-9). The Holy Spirit in us causes us to face the sinful nature. If He is in us, we will see our true state. It is only in acknowledging our sins can we receive forgiveness and cleansing.

Because it is our desire to be just before God, oftentimes, we will not want to let Him see those things in us that are not so good. It becomes difficult to confess our sins when we fall more than once. However, we must be open with Him in order to overcome the flesh.

Every believer faces temptation daily. To overcome it, we must realize where the source of temptation comes from. The scriptures clearly teach that God does not cause the temptation to sin. It appears that this fact is accepted unquestionably. Yet consistently, when a believer falls into temptation and sins, he sometimes will exclaim, “The devil made me do it!” Men and women have used this excuse for centuries. From the very beginning, it was used. The Book of Genesis records that Eve used this excuse. God confronted Adam and Eve after they had eaten the forbidden fruit. God asked her why she did it, and she blamed the devil (Genesis 3:13). James commands his readers not to blame God when they are tempted to sin. We must remember not to blame the devil either,

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God;” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. (James 1:13-14)

James explains why one is tempted. Temptation comes as a result of the lust that is already resident in the flesh. We all have been born with the capacity to sin. We must remember this when we are tempted to sin. If it is a temptation to us, then that lust is in our flesh.

Today, you have to look at yourself and be honest. This is the first step to overcoming the flesh. It is the foundation for success. Tomorrow, we will continue offering others steps to victory over fleshly desires. Until then, examine yourself.

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