Scripture to Read: Colossians 3:5–7
Christ lives in every Christian through His Holy Spirit. Because Christ indwells us, God tells us in Colossians 3:5–7, “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.” We must crucify, kill, obliterate, annihilate, and destroy the deeds of our flesh. All of these verbs accurately describe what we must actively choose to do to our fleshly desires every single day. Before we surrendered to Christ as Lord, we were held captive by these desires because we were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1–3). But because of Christ’s Holy Spirit in us, we have His power to choose to no longer submit to these fleshly actions and desires. These fleshly desires rule those who are still without Christ because their spirit is still dead and their soul (their mind, will, and emotions) does not have the power to overcome these fleshly desires. When we fall into the mindset that we are in charge, then our fleshly nature is going to show itself and tempt us to submit to those old, deadly desires. Surrendering to the Lordship of Christ is not just a one-time decision. Although that decision began our relationship with Christ, we must still choose to walk fully surrendered to Him daily since He is our Lord, King, Master, and the One completely in charge.
Challenge & Application
Why must we daily, and sometimes many times during the day, crucify our fleshly desires?
How are we able to crucify our fleshly desires, and why must we walk guarded against them?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!