Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (KJV)

Is your life about you or about the God in you?

In this world, “Just do it” “Make your own way” “Do your own thing” “It’s about me” are the catch phrases for life. This way of thinking is a breeding ground for feeding your flesh. What you have to understand is, if you spend all of your time feeding your flesh, then you won’t live righteously. You won’t make godly decisions and God cannot get the glory He desires to get out of your life. Another part of the training, as you fight this war, is learning to deny your flesh. Paul describes the conflict in Romans 7:

Romans 7:21-24 Through my experience of this principle, I discover that even when I want to do good, evil is ready to sabotage me. 22 Truly, deep within my true identity, I love to do what pleases God. 23 But I discern another power operating in my humanity, waging a war against the moral principles of my conscience and bringing me into captivity as a prisoner to the “law” of sin—this unwelcome intruder in my humanity. 24 What an agonizing situation I am in! So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death? (TPT)

This war is always raging. Choosing God over yourself is not always easy. Here are some ways your flesh wins (in case you were wondering): irritated and rash responses; no respect for other people’s feelings; being rude and impatient, always wanting your way, inability to listen to someone else’s opinion, avoiding responsibility, taking all the credit, flying off the handle, etc. There are plenty more that will immediately come to mind if you think about it. However, there are other ways your flesh wins that may not immediately come to mind. They don’t seem negative. Your desire to give in to worldly pleasures is not their source. They can be deeply emotional things, like not wanting to make the self-sacrifice to be used by God in a difficult relationship, making compromises because you want to fit in, having a limit on how many times you will forgive, giving inaccurate information on your taxes, etc. Paul also gives us “the way” of escape:

Romans 7:25 I give all my thanks to God, for his mighty power has finally provided a way out through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! So if left to myself, the flesh is aligned with the law of sin, but now my renewed mind is fixed on and submitted to God’s righteous principles. (TPT)

What do you have to do in order for your mind to be fixed on and submitted to God’s righteous principles? You have to fast more. It is the best way to crucify your flesh, and it is necessary. Fleshly responses don’t give God any glory! Whether your desires or worldly or from the heart, neither give God glory if they are not His will. The ultimate purpose in your life is to glorify God by what you do. Live to fulfill your first purpose.

Ephesians 2:10 10 We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it! (TPT)

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father, I thank You for showing me my true purpose and teaching me how to deny my flesh. I repent for accepting the world’s way of doing things. You continually show me the danger of compromise. You also show me the danger of emotional wants that are not fulfilled and the bitterness that can set in. You have shown me though I may treat others poorly because I am bitter; it is You I am angry at because You did not do what I wanted. I am sorry I brought shame to Your name. Thank You for guiding me to live a fasting life. If I do, I will crucify my flesh and the lust attached and give You glory. Please continue to draw me, examine me, and show me the condition of my heart. Help me seek You more and spend more time with You. Father, I desire for You to continue to wash over me with Your presence and with Your spirit. When I am in Your presence, I am strengthened in my inner man. When I try to go it alone, I am pulled away by my lusts, desires, and the traps of my flesh. I know the war between my spirit and my flesh is continuous, and I need You every day if I am going to be victorious, and crucify my flesh. I will fast, pray, consecrate myself and do these things as often as You lead me. Father God, I want to be a vessel that is meat for You use. I thank You…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: