The flesh must die
“Father in heaven, this day I am willing to cooperate once again with the Holy Spirit to put to death the works of the flesh, moment by moment till I meet Christ Jesus, my Lord and Savior, face to face in the skies at the rapture of His church, according to the Scriptures. [1 Corinthians 15:51-52].
“I desire LORD to live a holy life and walk in (be filled with, and be led by) the Holy Spirit; that I may please you through my lifestyle [spirit– will, volition, decisions; soul– thoughts, desires, motives, attitudes, imaginations, affections; and body– habits, behaviors, talks, relationships]. That I may be an example to those around me, effectively making disciples within my sphere of influence [realm] on daily basis. To You, Oh LORD, be all glory, honor, praise, and worship. Amen.”
This is an outcry of the Holy Spirit: to make disciples as we approach the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [Revelation 22:12-21].
Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:9 “…those things, you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you”.
That is, the Lord requires you to be an example to those He has put in your life, that they may learn from you Christlikeness, “… imitate me as I imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1.
Yet there are diverse obstacles we face on daily basis, that deter us from making disciples effectively and continually (Matthew 28:19). The flesh and its desires are behind these obstacles.
Apostle Paul mentions in Galatians 5: 17 “… the flesh wars against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are antagonistic to one another; so that you may not do what you would.”
Also in Romans 7: 19 “… For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.”
The battles within, that we have been facing as believers are flesh based: the flesh fighting against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. We must yield to the Holy Spirit on daily basis and lean upon Him to empower us to overcome the flesh and put to death its works. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must deaden the flesh [mortify, put off the old self] according to the Scriptures [Ephesians 4:22-32].
Prophetic Declaration : I declare prophetically, that the flesh and its works have been judged. The flesh has no place in the life of a believer. The flesh must die! We as believers in Christ Jesus are no longer slaves to the flesh and its works. On the contrary, our flesh has been crucified with Christ on the cross: we no longer live to meet its desires! Under the command of Christ Jesus, we subject our flesh to death on daily basis as empowered by the Holy Spirit so that we may live holy and God-fearing lifestyles. In the name of Jesus Christ, demons clinging to our deadened flesh must now flee. Sicknesses, diseases, fear, rebellion, disobedience, addictions, arrogance, lukewarmness, backsliding, and deceit linked to the flesh must now be cast out! We are forgiven, cleansed and made whole spirit, soul and body. [1 Thessalonians 5:23].
Say this prayer by faith,
“Holy Spirit, as a born again believer of Jesus Christ, I welcome you into my life now. I realize I cannot do anything in this life without you. I am willing to die daily to self, that Christ may be glorified in me. I believe I am crucified with Christ on the cross, I no longer live, but Christ lives in me: and the life I now live, I live by the faith of Jesus Christ. [Galatians 5:20].
“Holy Spirit, quicken [give life to] my mortal body and glorify Christ Jesus. Empower me to witness Christ Jesus, making disciples of those you are connecting me with. May I bear fruit that remains for eternity, pleasing the Father in heaven. Thank you, Holy Spirit. Thank you, Jesus Christ. Thank you, Father. Amen”.
Following these revelations, the end time revival that is being manifested across the nations; the Holy Spirit is enabling believers to address the old self – the mind, emotions, and more. These are part of the old self that have being crucified with Christ on the cross. But there is danger of allowing the old mind and emotions to lead us, instead of being led daily by the Holy Spirit.
Our emotion emits joy, happiness, cheerfulness, excitement, elation, stimulation, despondency, sorrow, grief, melancholy, misery, moaning, dejection, confusion, anxiety, zeal, coldness, affection, aspiration, covetousness, compassion, kindness, preference, interest, expectation, pride, fear, remorse, hate, et al.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things”. Philippians 4:8
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5
We must pull down strong holds of the enemy in our unrenewed mind, and declare our emotions have been crucified with Christ on the cross. We must then allow the Holy Spirit to quicken our renewed minds and take over our emotions, so as to be effective in witnessing Christ to the lost world.
Today, this morning, I sense the presence of God in our house, and we are unable to start the day as usual. “ turning on the TV – local news channel.”
Instead, the Holy Spirit is saying, “unless the Lord builds a house…” Psalms 127.
There are issues in our household that we are striving to maintain on our own strength. The Lord is saying to us, “let go , leave this with me, I will take care of it”
Yes Lord, this morning, we hear your heart cry to us as a loving Father, and we let go all our cares, concerns, anxieties, fears, worries, regarding our family life, relationships and interactions with our families, relatives and friends.
Have your way Lord in our lives and glory Jesus Christ daily through us. Amen