HOW TO DEAL WITH THE PRACTICES OF THE BODY

 Last Sunday we established from the Scriptures that God has already crucified “Mr. Flesh” with Christ on the Cross, not just in term, but in reality.

“And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Gal. 5:24).

 

Romans 6:6 says, “Knowing this, that our old man is (has been) crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

 

First of all, you need to believe God’s Word that Mr. Flesh has already been crucified. If you are firm on this point – that Mr. Flesh has been crucified - you will be able to go on and deal with the practices of the body in your experience.

 

Today we want to look at “How to Deal with The Practices of The Body.” The only way to overcome the practices of the body is to walk in the Spirit. When you walk in the Spirit you will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16).

 

When you walk in the Spirit you’ll not smoke, fornicate, lie, or worship idols any more, because the desire to sin will leave you. 

 

This is because by walking in the Holy Spirit, Mr. Flesh, though it exists, is rendered powerless to manifest (Rom. 8:1-2). As you walk in the Word, you won’t obey the suggestions of the flesh. 

 

What are the practices of the body? The practices of the body are the manifestations of “Mr. Flesh.”  They are listed in Galatians 5:19-21; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 1:29-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; Revelation 21:8; Matthew 15:10-11; Matthew 15:15-20).

 

Here is what God has accomplished for us: “For you died.” Colossians 3:3 says, “For ye (your Flesh) are dead (for you died), and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

 

Who is hid with Christ in God the Father? You are the one that is hid with Christ in God.

 

God the Father has done His own part, and is now expecting you to do your own part.

 

 Here then is what God the Father instructs you to do yourself: “Put to death therefore, your members which are on the earth” (Col. 3:5).

 

Who will mortify your members which are upon the earth? God or you? You of course! It is your sole responsibility to put to death your members which are upon the earth.

 

What are the things that belong to your earthly nature? They include sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

 

Who will say no to sin? You, of course! “…Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12).

 

How can one put to death the deeds of the body? To achieve this purpose, you must work together with the Holy Spirit!

 

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Rom. 8:13).

 

When you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16).

 

There are three types of lust. “…For all that is in the world, (1) the lust of the flesh, and (2) the lust of the eyes, and (3) the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world…” (1 Jn. 2:15-17).

 

What is the lust of the flesh? Sinful lust is an overpowering desire for that which God has forbidden. It is the desire for that which satisfies any of the physical needs. 

 

What is the lust of the eyes? The lust of the eyes is that which we see and desire to own or possess. 

 

What is the pride of life? This is anything that is “of the world” meaning anything that leads to arrogance, pride in self, boasting.

 

Anything that produces the pride of life comes from a love of the world, and “if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn. 2:15).

 

What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? To walk in the Spirit is to walk according to the Word of God. 

 

Don’t ever forget that the vile practices of the flesh, at all times and in every place, are ready to come out and be manifested through your body.

 

You should therefore, remain very watchful in order to prevent the practices of the body in your members from rioting in you.

 

Even though you do not walk according to the suggestions of the flesh any longer, in order to be led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:16), and be freed from the operation of the flesh, you always need to put to death the practices of your body and walk according to the suggestions of the Holy Spirit.

 

You can have a lasting experience of overcoming Mr. Flesh. If you are a believer, and you are under the control of Christ, and do not make provision for the flesh, you will have a lasting experience of overcoming Mr. Flesh.

 

What should one do so as not to make provision for the flesh? Simply walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).

 

Psalm 119:133 says, “Order my steps in thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”

 

Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

 

Fasting is another potent weapon to deal with the practices of the body. Psalm 69:10 says, “When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting…”

 

Fasting weakens your ability to think thoughts that are contrary to the Word of God. Therefore, if you are feeding adequately on the Word of God during your fasting period, your spirit-man will be strengthened and Mr. Flesh will come to zero. 

 

Mr. Flesh will become weaker and eventually lose its power. But your spirit-man will become stronger. That is why the Bible says that they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength (Isa. 40:29). 

 

Which strength? Their spiritual strength; the strength of their spirit-man. The strength of your spirit-man depends on how much of the thoughts in your sub- conscious mind that you have replaced with the very thoughts of God.

 

Conclusion: If you have really put the practices of your body to death, then you are free from sin.

 

Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit.

 

·      Your friend, I. I. Madubunyi (Senior Pastor, HOG)