How to Overcome: The War Between the Flesh and the Spirit

How to Overcome: The War Between the Flesh and the Spirit

Walking in Victory through the Power of the Holy Spirit

Every Christian experiences an internal battle—the ongoing war between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. This spiritual conflict is real, intense, and daily. The apostle Paul describes this struggle in Galatians 5:17:

“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”

The Holy Spirit is actively at work in a believer’s life. So how do we overcome this war between the flesh and the Spirit?

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1. Recognize the Nature of the Conflict

The flesh represents our sinful nature—our selfish desires, pride, lust, anger, and the pull toward sin. The Spirit, on the other hand, draws us toward holiness, righteousness, peace, love, and obedience to God.

Romans 7:23 explains,

“But I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.”

Acknowledging this struggle is the first step toward victory. You’re not alone. Even Paul battled with his flesh. The key is not to deny the struggle but to understand that the power to overcome it comes from God—not our own strength.

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2. Crucify the Flesh Daily

Paul instructs believers in Galatians 5:24,

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Crucifying the flesh is not a one-time event. It is a daily surrender of our will to God. It means choosing, moment by moment, to deny sinful impulses and live by the Spirit. This doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional submission and ongoing spiritual discipline.

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3. Walk by the Spirit

One of the most powerful strategies for overcoming the flesh is found in Galatians 5:16:

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

When we walk by the Spirit—through prayer, Scripture reading, worship, and obedience—we empower the Spirit’s influence in our lives. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) begins to replace the fruit of the flesh. Instead of anger, we develop patience. Instead of lust, we gain self-control.

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4. Renew Your Mind

Victory over the flesh starts in the mind. Romans 12:2 urges us to

“...be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Through God's Word, our thoughts, attitudes, and desires are reshaped. The more we fill our minds with truth, the more we align with God’s will—and the less room we give the flesh to control us.

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5. Rely on God’s Grace, Not Your Willpower

Overcoming the war between flesh and Spirit is not about willpower; it’s about grace and faith. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

When we feel weak, tempted, or discouraged, we lean into God’s strength. His Spirit gives us power to say no to sin and yes to righteousness.

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6. Put on the Armor of God

Spiritual warfare demands spiritual armor. Ephesians 6:11 commands,

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

When we wear the armor of truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God, we are equipped to stand firm when the flesh tempts us to fall.

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Victory is Possible

You can overcome the war between the flesh and the Spirit—but not alone. The good news is that Jesus has already won the ultimate victory. Romans 8:1–2 gives us this powerful promise:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

Let this truth anchor you. Through Jesus, you are empowered to walk in the Spirit, overcome temptation, and live in freedom.

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How to Overcome: The War Between the Flesh and the Spirit

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Walk Like a Warrior (Ephesians Series)

Walk Like a Warrior

We are still in Ephesians at my church.  Today's sermon title is Walk Like a Warrior.  The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Our scripture passage for today is Ephesians 6:10-17.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. - Ephesians 6:10-17

The walk of the believer leads to war of the believer.  Christianity is not a playground.  It is a battlefield.  We are at war with the devil.

Walk Like a Warrior

1.  A warrior knows his or her enemy.  

With a supernatural life comes a supernatural enemy.  Sometimes we misidentify the enemy.  Who is our enemy?  Our enemy is the devil.

Sometimes we think the people around us are our enemies.  This is not true.  The real enemy, the devil, works to steal, kill, and destroy us.  

Our struggle is with the flesh. (Ephesians 6:12)

Satan is after your mind.  If he gets your mind, he can get your life.  He can get your marriage, your family, your church, etc. 

Now the serpent was more cunning than any animal of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” ² The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; ³ but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” ⁴ The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! ⁵ For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves waist coverings. - Genesis 3:1-7

To get your mind, Satan will make you question God's Word, God's character, and God's goodness.  Satan wants you to view your life apart from God's Word as he did Eve in the garden.

2.  A warrior knows his or her equipment.

Consider the armor of God, His Word. (Ephesians 6:13)

Take up God's army, not your own.  We don't need to fight on social media posts.  We fight with God's Word through the power of Christ Jesus.  We fight with prayer.  We fight on our knees.

3.  A warrior makes war.

What lies has Satan been telling you?

Believers can make war with the devil.

Fight for your family.

Fight for your mind.

Fight for your marriage.

Read the Bible.

Memorize scripture.

Pray.

Band together as Christ followers.

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Image Used by Permission from Donna Sundblad

The Inheritance was provided by Donna Sundblad in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.

The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

A Rich, Mysterious Beginning

Since I work with young children every day, and then take care of my husband, three kids, three cats, a dog and sometimes my youngest daughter’s goldfish in the afternoons, I rarely get the chance to sit down and enjoy a good book geared toward adults. Recently, I decided to take a little bit of time for myself and read The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad.

As I began to read the book, the first thing that caught my attention was Sundblad’s choice of names for the characters and places in the book. The reader will quickly grow accustomed to names like Illuminati, Pundit Tenacious, Punctilious, Wigglewot, and of course the main character, Jejune. Places are given creative names such as the Village of Lofty Thought, the Valley of Shadow, and a most important city, The Eternal City.

Within the first chapter, the reader’s attention is captured with mysteries which make it difficult to put the book away. The story opens with a vivid description of the town and it’s surroundings. The reader gets a feel for the atmosphere surrounding the story. The main character, a Seeker named Jejune, is inside a counsel chamber before the High Pundit Tenacious. The reader is not immediately aware of the reason for the counsel session, but is given just enough information to stir curiosity. The reader can’t help but wonder who Jejune really is and why has he found himself inside the chamber and before the High Pundit. Soon, the reader learns that Seeker Jejune questions the philosophies of Lofty Thought.

The first chapter of The Inheritance is rich in mystery. Before the end of the first chapter, the reader is anxious to read on to find the answers to questions such as:

What is a Seeker?

Why does Jejune question the philosophy of Lofty Thought when others follow the philosophies and traditions without question?

 What are the philosophies of Lofty Thought?

What is the Fountain of Tradition and why is it important?

Where is the Eternal City?

Why have so many searched for it?

Once one reaches the Eternal City, are they trapped forever or do they choose to stay?
What is Truth?

Which Way?

Jejune has not seen his parents since he was a young boy. His mother and father left Lofty Thought in search of a place called the Eternal City, but they never returned. Just before Jejune’s Coming of Age ceremony, he sneaks into a forbidden room where he believes he will find answers to many questions concerning his parents, his mysterious heritage, and the Eternal City.

Within the room, Jejune finds a journal. The journal doesn’t describe the way to the Eternal City, but it does list a few routes that do not lead the way. Jejune must decide which way to go.

Jejune has decisions to make. Should he remain in Lofty Thought and fulfill his duties or should he leave Lofty Thought in search of the Eternal City?

The only thing he knows at this point is that he must search for Wisdom. Jejune believes Wisdom will lead the way.

Jejune’s Quest

Jejune finds a way to fulfill his obligations in Lofty Thought which results in a little twist on the chain of authority there while he satisfies his longing to search for Truth and set out on his own quest for the Eternal City.

During his journey, Jejune finds himself in a few predicaments. He is distracted from his quest and questions his decision to leave Loft Thought on various occasions. His path leads him to interesting characters who help Jejune find his way. He must rely on the advice of Understanding, Prudence, and Humility, just to name a few. At times, Jejune finds himself struggling to decide whether to follow the way of Heavenly Wisdom or Worldly Wisdom.

To make matters worse, he discovers he has a “Condition” and must find the cure. Otherwise, he will not be permitted to enter the Eternal City, even if he finds it. As if Jejune didn’t have enough to worry about, his travels are made more interesting when he meets a young lady. The young lady accompanies Jejune on his quest for she has similar ambitions, or does she?

The two face obstacle after obstacle together and Jejune becomes more and more aware of the confusing ways of women. This particular woman is particularly confusing and when Jejune is at his whits end with her . . . well, let’s just say he “gets more than he bargained for.”

Finding more advice from his new friends; Understanding, Prudence, and Humility helpful, Jejune finds his way back on the “narrow way” in search for a cure for his “Condition” and the Eternal City.

Questions and Answers

The first chapter of The Inheritance leaves the reader anxious to find answers to questions. The body of the story builds on those questions and leaves the reader pondering over the answers while presenting the reader with a few more questions:

What exactly is the Condition?

Why can’t a person with the Condition enter the Eternal City?

Is there a cure?

The answers to all those questions are revealed by the time the reader gets to the end of one of the craftiest, most delightful stories I have ever read.

Spiritual Warfare in Human Form

The story of The Inheritance includes adventure, mystery, humor, romance, and the best qualities of a “good verses evil” story, including the snares of a Dragon and the tragedy of great loss. In the Inheritance, the “good guys” are not just “good guys” and the “bad guys” are not just “bad guys.” Imaginative characters take on the names of their personalities.

Each character in the story represents an element of spiritual warfare in human form.

While reading The Inheritance, the reader gains a bit of insight as to why people believe the way the do. The Inheritance doesn’t force a belief on the reader, but it shines a light on what makes sense and what doesn’t in the real realms of Heaven and Earth.

The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad is highly recommended literature and it will be available in print on Amazon by the end of November 2011.

Vocabulary

 Knowing the meanings to the following words will enhance the reader’s understanding of the story.

Jejune: Lacking knowledge and experience, childish.

Lofty: Exalted in rank, dignity, or character, arrogantly or condescendingly superior in manner.

Tenacious: Persistent, stubborn, keeping a firm hold.

Punctilious: strict or exact in the observance of the formalities or amenities of conduct or actions.

Pundit: A learned person, expert.

Illuminati: Person claiming to possess superior enlightenment.

Quidnunc: A person who is eager to know the latest news or gossip.

Chary: Cautious, careful.

Calumny: False statements made with the intent of harming someone else.

Penury: Extreme poverty, insufficiency.

Halcyon: Calm, peaceful, happy, prosperous.

Pragmatism: the doctrine that the content of a concept consists only in its practical applicability

Avarice: insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth.

Kumtux: Knowledge

About Donna Sundblad

Photo Used by Permission from Donna Sundblad

Donna Sundblad left corporate America to follow her dream to become a writer. She enjoys her life as a Freelance Writer and Editor. Donna works on various freelance projects and she has written several books. Her latest book, The Inheritance, is a 2012 Epic Book Award Finalist.

Donna enjoys outdoor activities, wildlife and healthy living. She makes her home in the great state of Georgia.

The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

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