I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT)
Growing up, there was a cartoon that was always on TV, called Tom and Jerry. I remember in several episodes that Tom or Jerry would get into a dilemma and in deciding what to do, they would have a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. The angel of course told them to do good and the devil told them to do bad. I think for a lot of people that picture is their reality. They feel pulled to do the right thing but tempted to do the wrong. The truth is: most of the time we do the wrong thing because we want to, not because the devil made us do it. Sometimes we need to stop rebuking the devil and start rebuking our flesh.
Your flesh will always want what it wants, when it wants it. One of the greatest ways you can conquer your flesh and the temptations in your life is by finding someone that you can be vulnerable with. Notice I said “someone” not “everyone”. You have to have someone you trust that won’t talk about your struggles to others. Someone that will love and support you in the process. Never believe the lie that you are the only one that struggles with temptations, it’s not the truth!
Prayer:
Lord, help me to live my life with control over my flesh. Help me to live according to your word and according to my purpose, not according to my flesh. In Jesus’ name, Amen