To gain further clarity to Romans chapter 6, where Apostle Paul was describing the old man (Flesh) versus the new man (Romans 6:6). It is very essential to explain further what are the activities of the flesh and The spirit at this level.
We understand that God created the body (flesh) of a man from the dust of the ground so that man can function on earth (Genesis 2:7).
When man was created, he was placed in an environment where he fellowshipped and walked closely with God. However, when man disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6), man was put outside of that environment and became disconnected from God.
As a result of man eating the forbidden fruit, man became wise, and yielded to the desires of His soul and flesh (Genesis 3:6).
Let’s look into this further, to gain a better understanding.
As a result of the fall of man, fellowship and guidance from God ended (Romans 5:12) and man’s soul and flesh began to work together to govern his life by fulfilling his fleshly desires (Genesis 3:6).
Our physical senses are the gates in which the desires of the flesh are aroused, e.g. our sight, smell, hearing, taste & touch (Galatians 5:17).
Galatians 5:17 helps us to understand that the flesh is always at war with the Spirit of God in our spirit man, which is expressed when the soul (mind, will & emotions) governs a man.
Scriptures reveals a category of people that are governed by the realm of the soul such as pagan worshippers, who are those that worship the works of their own hands (Isaiah 2:8).
In order to subdue the flesh, a believer must learn how to walk in union with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13). To walk with the Holy Spirit, you must acknowledge that you cannot subdue your flesh by own efforts .i.e trying to crucify what God has declared crucified (Galatians 2:20).
Therefore our focus should be on the Word of God and what God has declared. God said that our flesh has been crucified with Jesus; so when the flesh wants to govern us, our responsibility is to focus on and declare what God has said in his Word, in order to subdue the flesh (Galatians 2:20).
This can only be achieved when we yield/submit to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
It is very vital as believers to acknowledge that The Holy Spirit is a person and knowing Him experiencially allows us to walk in the victory that we have in Jesus (John 15:26).
We must carry the consciousness that the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, to help us to live like Jesus on earth (John 14:26). However, we have a responsibility to cultivate our relationship with the Holy Spirit so we can discern when He speaks to us, and then we will be able to yield to his instructions and be guided by him accordingly in all circumstances (Hebrew 5:14).
I hope someone is encouraged?
Stay blessed and be encouraged
Written by Ayo Akingbala
Edited by Shola Akingbala.