Your Flesh Is At War With God – Crucify It Now
Introduction:
Most people assume their biggest spiritual problem is a lack of effort, discipline, or knowledge. Scripture says otherwise.
Your greatest obstacle is not outside you — it is your flesh.
The Bible does not describe the flesh as weak, misguided, or neutral. It describes it as hostile, rebellious, and at war with God. And God’s solution is not improvement, therapy, or behavior management.
His solution is death.
What Does “The Flesh” Mean?
In Scripture, “the flesh” does not mean your physical body. It means your fallen, self-centered nature — the internal operating system you inherited from Adam that lives independent of God.
The flesh is the part of you that:
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- Wants control
- Trusts self instead of God
- Seeks comfort, pleasure, security, or significance apart from obedience
- Justifies sin
- Resists submission
Scripture defines the flesh with stark clarity:
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”
— Romans 8:7
This is not indifference.
“Enmity” means active hostility.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh…
For to be carnally minded is death.” — Romans 8:5–6
The flesh is not merely flawed.
It is incompatible with God.
What Does “Crucify the Flesh” Mean?
To crucify the flesh means to put it to death — not metaphorically, not gradually, and not partially.
Crucifixion is:
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- Final
- Public
- Irreversible
- Non-negotiable
Scripture does not say manage the flesh.
It says execute it.
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” — Galatians 5:24
Crucifying the flesh means:
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- Renouncing self-rule
- Surrendering ownership of your life
- Agreeing with God about your sin
- Accepting that your old way of living must die
Jesus stated this without softening the language:
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”— Luke 9:23
You do not carry a cross to improve yourself.
You carry a cross to die.
Why Is This So Important?
Because nothing of the flesh can please God.
“So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”— Romans 8:8
Because the flesh produces death, deception, and destruction:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident…
…those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” — Galatians 5:19–21
And because transformation is impossible until the flesh is dealt with:
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.”— Romans 7:18
God does not renovate the flesh.
He replaces it.
The Three-Step Regeneration Process
Scripture presents regeneration as a sequence, not a concept.
1. Crucify — Death to the Old Self
This is the decision point.
“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with.”
— Romans 6:6
You must agree with God that:
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- Your old life deserves death
- Your old identity has no future
- Self-rule must end
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2. Bury — Separation From the Old Life
Crucifixion alone is not enough.
What dies must be buried.
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death.”— Romans 6:4
Burial means:
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- No resurrection of old habits
- No nostalgia for the old identity
- No keeping “backup options”
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“Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.”
— Ephesians 4:22
3. Be Raised New — Life in the Spirit
God never leaves you empty.
“Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
— Romans 6:4
This is where transformation happens:
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
New life is not self-improvement.
It is divine replacement.
How Do You Crucify the Flesh (Practically)?
1. Acknowledge the Truth
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.”— 1 John 1:9
2. Submit Fully to God
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”— James 4:7
3. Declare Death to Self
Declaration: Crucifying the Flesh
Father God,
I acknowledge that my flesh is hostile to You.
I renounce self-rule, self-reliance, and self-justification.
I choose to crucify my old nature with its desires and demands.
I bury my former way of life and release all claim to it.
I receive new life through Jesus Christ and submit fully to Your Spirit.
My life is no longer my own. I belong to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20
How Can You Tell If the Flesh Has Truly Been Crucified?
Evidence #1: New Desires
Before the flesh is crucified, the internal narrative is dominated by compulsion: “I don’t care, I want it”, “I deserve it”, “I can’t help myself,” “This is just who I am.” Desire leads, and conscience follows reluctantly. God’s commands feel restrictive, intrusive, or unrealistic because they oppose what the fallen heart wants.
After crucifixion, desire itself begins to change. The internal narrative shifts to: “I don’t want that anymore,” “That no longer fits who I am,” “Obedience actually makes sense”, “This is a better choice.” While temptation may still appear, it no longer feels authoritative. Outwardly, this produces a noticeable reduction in habitual sin patterns—not because of increased willpower, but because the appeal of sin is weakening. You are not merely resisting evil; you are losing interest in it.
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
— Philippians 2:13
Evidence #2: Submission Over Resistance
Before crucifixion, the flesh constantly negotiates with God. The internal dialogue sounds like: “I’ll obey if it makes sense,” “I’ll submit once I understand why,” “Surely God doesn’t expect this much.” Authority feels threatening because self-rule is still assumed. Correction triggers defensiveness, justification, or delay.
After crucifixion, resistance collapses. The internal narrative becomes: “If God says it, that settles it,” “His will is safer than mine,” “I trust Him even when I don’t understand.” Outwardly, this results in faster obedience, less argument, and a willingness to yield even when obedience is costly. Submission no longer feels like loss of freedom; it feels like relief from the burden of control.
“Not my will, but Yours, be done.”— Luke 22:42
Evidence #3: Fruit of the Spirit Appears Even When Under Pressure
Before the flesh is crucified, pressure reveals what rules you. Stress exposes irritability, anger, fear, impatience, or withdrawal. The internal narrative is reactive: “I deserve better,” “They shouldn’t treat me this way,” “I need to protect myself.” When circumstances tighten, self resurfaces instinctively.
After crucifixion, pressure still exists, but the response changes. The internal narrative becomes anchored: “God is still in control,” “I don’t need to defend myself,” “Love is still the right response.” Outwardly, this produces supernatural consistency—peace under stress, patience when provoked, gentleness when wronged. These traits are not manufactured; they emerge naturally because self is no longer fighting for dominance.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
— Galatians 5:22–23
Evidence #4: Sin Looses Power Over You
Before crucifixion, sin feels inevitable. The internal narrative assumes defeat: “I’ll try again next time,” “This always gets me,” “I’ll never really change.” Even repentance can become routine rather than transformational. Sin dictates terms, and you respond.
After crucifixion, sin loses its authority. Temptation still appears, but it no longer commands compliance. The internal dialogue shifts to: “That has no claim on me,” “I am free to choose obedience,” “This is not who I am anymore.” Outwardly, this produces increasing victory—not perfection, but a clear break in patterns. You recover faster, fall less often, and refuse to make peace with what God has condemned.
““For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”— Romans 6:14
Evidence #5: Your Identity Anchor Changes
Before crucifixion, identity is tied to performance, control, roles, wounds, or reputation. The internal narrative is self-referential: “I need to protect my image,” “I must prove my worth,” “If this fails, I fail.” Fear of loss or exposure drives many decisions.
After crucifixion, identity relocates into Christ. The internal narrative stabilizes: “I belong to Him,” “My life is not my own,” “My value is settled.” Outwardly, this produces humility, teachability, and resilience. You can be corrected without collapsing, serve without recognition, and suffer loss without losing peace—because your life is no longer centered on you.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
— Galatians 2:20
Summary:
If the flesh has been crucified:
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- Your desires are changing
- Your resistance is weakening
- Your reactions are transforming
- Your sin patterns are breaking
- Your identity is stabilizing in Christ
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If these shifts are not present, Scripture does not call for more effort — it calls for deeper surrender.
Crucifixion is not symbolic.
It is experiential.
And its evidence is unmistakable.
If your flesh is still ruling, you will know it — because you will still be fighting God.
Where to Learn More
Key Scripture:
Romans 6–8 — Death to sin and life in the Spirit
Galatians 5 — Flesh vs. Spirit contrast
Colossians 3 — Putting off the old, putting on the new
Ephesians 4 — Identity transformation
John 15 — Abiding life and fruitfulness
Great Teachers/ Preachers
Dan Mohler – How to put on Christ and put off the flesh – <Video>
Final Thought
Jesus did not die so you could remain trapped in self-rule and all of its consequences in this fallen world.
He died so you could die to sin — and finally live.
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
— Matthew 16:25
The flesh is at war with God.
End the war today.
Crucify it — and step into the life you were always meant to live.
