Today in our second post related to putting to death the flesh, we look at eight steps to help you mortify the flesh. Earlier this week in posts, we have already discussed from Romans 8 both the incredible comfort of God’s grace and the call of God’s grace. In part one of this post, we answered the question, “What is the flesh?” Remember, as sinners who are in Christ, we no longer have any condemnation; instead, we have been adopted into God’s family, become a joint-heir with Jesus, and can call God “Daddy.” However, we recognize that although we are accepted into God’s family as we are, God still has an agenda by grace to grow us more into Christ, the process we call sanctification. To do this with the greatest proficiency and effectively as possible, the Apostle Paul tells us to mortify or put to death the flesh. Today, we answer the question, “How do you put to death the flesh?” with eight steps to mortify or put to death the flesh.
How do you put to death the flesh?
Understanding the difficulty of living consistent with our in-Christ, new man, righteous inner man which is clothed in true righteousness and holiness, Paul explained that we must seek to put to death the deeds of the flesh. As we discussed yesterday, although the power of the flesh is broken, the presence of sin remains. Sadly, even after justification, one can live either according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. Although God changed the operating system, you still have functional control over your life. Even though you now are in-Christ new man, your heart remains active either for or against God. Therefore, we must actively put to death the flesh.
Understanding the Battle
Paul describes the battle between the flesh and the Spirit in Galatians 5.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:16-21)
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Gal 5:24)
Paul describes it as a battle. The Spirit leads you toward righteousness but your own fleshly desires and passions fight against that leading. For this reason, back in Romans, Paul instructs:
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Rom 13:14)
In a similar way to Galatians, he essentially highlights the battle between the Spirit and the flesh. Here, he refers to it as putting on Christ, which simply means to live consistent with your in-Christ, new man, righteous inner man. But, this is only part of the battle. In reference to the flesh, he admonishes us to starve it out or make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. Or, to put to death the flesh
How do you mortify or put to death the flesh? Eight Steps
Identify areas of weakness and sin.
Where are those places where you find it most easy to follow the desires of the flesh versus the leading of the Spirit? There may be many areas (that would not be uncommon). Simply pick the first place to begin work there. There are two basic strategies here. You could pick an area of struggle that is relatively minor and watch that be transformed, or you can pick a relatively deeper struggle and go after change in that area.
Take note of the circumstances surrounding it.
Once you find the place to focus your work, begin with making circumstantial observations. Where does it often happen? With whom? How does it typically take place? How often? What key features are typically involved? At this point, you are seeking to become situationally aware. Essentially, in this step you are identifying part of the pressures or influences around you when you are tempted to sin.
Evaluate your desires and motives.
Once you begin to understand the circumstance surrounding your sin, now you want to focus on the inner man. In the midst of your circumstance or situation, what do you want? What is your goal or purpose? Do your desires and motives reflect your former in-Adam, old man, depraved inner man or your in-Christ, new man, righteous inner man? If your motive does not reflect the purposes of Christ, then repent of a poor motive and work toward a Christ-exalting, Spirit-led motive.
Consider God’s perspective: your position in Christ, your identity with the body of Christ, and God’s desires.
Sometimes we refer to this step as preaching the Gospel to yourself. Here, you want to review all the spiritual blessings of being in Christ. Remind yourself of the comfort of the Gospel. You are adopted, indwelt, and under no condemnation. God invites you to call out to Him as your Daddy. Remember what God wants, what God has provided you, and what God promises to do in you. Remember God’s character as your Dad, especially His never-ending faithfulness, dependability, holiness, and patience.
Pray for God’s help through the Gospel.
God promises you help. He invites you to come to Jesus for comfort, grace, and help in times of need. You are invited to cast all your anxiety and care on Him. As you consider what needs to change and how, take a few moments to pray. Tell God your burden. Explain to Him in pray how you understand it. Take the time to be honest with God in prayer. God already knows. In this step, you are admitting your dependency upon Him as well. Be sure to rehearse in prayer key elements of Gospel truth as well.
Determine what would best honor God as the next step.
What is the next step? What specifically does change look and sound like? Is there something you need to think differently? An attitude that needs to be changed? An action to stop? Begin? Change? Of course there may be 1,000 next steps, but you initially want to begin with the first.
Make a plan to implement change.
Now that you know what change looks like (the next step), you have to determine the best strategy. Begin to think of ways to specifically make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. Determine what you need to put off and what you need to put on in replacement of it. Again, think strategy and logic. What should be first, next, then next, ect? As you see in the next step, you may need to bring wise and godly individuals into the mix to help you.
Ask for help from accountability partners.
Ask at least two people if they are willing to walk with you in your battle. Look for those who can give you spiritual wisdom, will speak in loving candor, and who hold your battle with personal integrity (no gossiping, etc.). Meet with them regularly to discuss your areas of concern, victory that you have experienced, places where you have struggled or failed, and help in waging your war against the flesh.
Take the First Step in Humble Anticipation of Change
Up until this point, all you have been is insightful. Now, you need to take the first step. The way you walk any distance is one step at a time. In order for you to journey down the path of Christlikeness toward future glorification in heaven is one step at a time. Therefore, determine right now to take the first step.
Tomorrow, we will discuss how to live with the balance of God’s grace.
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