Bible Studies

How to Defeat the Lusts of the Flesh, Know Who You Are Christian

by Michael Edwards 
02/16/18
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If we want to defeat the lusts of the flesh, we need to see ourselves as God sees us in the Spirit. Walking by the Spirit and not the flesh is how we defeat the lusts of the flesh.

This is who you are Christian

I am without any doubt a new creation in Christ, a child of God, ambassador for Christ, forgiven, redeemed, righteous, sanctified, a holy perfected saint. I live under grace where Sin has no dominion over me, where my sins are no longer imputed to my account.

If we keep on looking at our flesh in the mirror and trying to perfect our flesh by our flesh, we will never walk by the Spirit and defeat the lusts of the flesh. The flesh cannot perfect the flesh.

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Gal 3:1-5 NAS

We are to see the flesh as crucified, dead an unable to help us at all. We have died with Christ.

You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.  These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires (flesh). Col 2:20-23 NLT

We must stop recognizing ourselves and others as in the flesh, as in the old creation. We are a new creation right now in the Spirit. We must see ourselves as God sees us to have victory in this life.

Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.  Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:16-21 NAS

Right Believing is the Only Path to Right Living

Once we see ourselves as God sees us in the Spirit and we see the old creation, the flesh as crucified, we will no longer desire the lusts of the flesh. This is all about right believing that produces the fruit of right living. It is not about trying to force ourselves to stop things by the flesh as we just read in Col 2:20-23 above.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Gal 5:16-18 NAS

Even though Gal 5:18 just stated you are not under the law, your flesh will want to tell you that these next verses are telling you to force yourself by the law to stop doing the things listed. This is not what the Word is telling you. We just read that the flesh cannot be defeated by the law, by pious self-denial, by asceticism, severe bodily discipline, by forcing the flesh to obey by the flesh. When you see yourself as God sees you and walk by the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit in verse 22 will replace the works of the flesh listed in verse 19-21. 

19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

      25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Gal 5 NAS

See Yourself in the Spirit and Walk by the Spirit and have Victory in this Life in Christ.

This is who you are Christian. Get used to it because it will never change. You are who you are totally because of Jesus sacrifice. He has made you a new creation in Christ.

I am without any doubt a new creation in Christ, a child of God, ambassador for Christ, forgiven, redeemed, righteous, sanctified, a holy perfected saint. I live under grace where Sin has no dominion over me, where my sins are no longer imputed to my account. Thank you Jesus!

Here are some more New Covenant Studies to help you walk by the Spirit and defeat the lust of the flesh. 

I Am a New Creation IN CHRIST

I Am Holy, I Am Sanctified, I Am Perfected   
 
Walking by the Spirit is Gods Will for Your Life, Guaranteed

How to Stop Sin Consciousness that Leads to Fear, Worry, Guilt and Condemnation

How to Defeat Satan on the Battlefield for Your Mind

Transformed, Our Face Like the Sun, Our Clothes Whiter than White

How to Take Thoughts Captive to The Obedience of Christ

How to Walk by The Spirit

Lacking These Qualities?

How to be Filled with The Fullness of God,

How to Have Peace in All Circumstances

Many more New Covenant Bible Studies HERE. Jesus poured out His blood for the New Covenant of grace and truth, replacing the Old Covenant law of Moses. Believers are exclusively under the New Covenant, the last will and testament of Jesus that began after the cross.

And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. Luke 22:20