WHY WE NEED TO OVERCOME THE FLESH

     When the devil wants to derail us or disrupt the momentum of the advancing kingdom of light, the devil has a solid ally that he can always turn to. And that’s his nature “in us”. Which is the trustworthy ally of “the fallen nature”. Which is the nature of “our flesh”.

     For in the same way that one day the Lord will be able to “fully trust” those who will one day rule and reign alongside Him because He trusts “His own nature” in us, the devil likewise trusts his own nature in us too. All the devil needs to do is press the right buttons. For after all, he knows this nature intimately. For it is his own nature.

     For when Adam fell, a different spirit from which he had up until that time been led by then entered into him. Which was the spirit of the serpent who deceived him. Which is the “seed of corruption”. Which is a spirit that both corrupts and is corrupt. Which is the spiritual counterbalance of “the incorruptible seed” of Christ that enters us upon the miracle of spiritual rebirth. Which cannot corrupt or be corrupted. And through that spiritual seed of corruption that entered all mankind at the fall, “the flesh” of ALL men descendent from the line of Adam since that time has always been the devil’s fertile soil and playground.

      For no other reason than to want to thwart the devil (for it glorifies our Father), does it not behoove us to then overcome the flesh? For unless we overcome the flesh, our flesh will always be an ally to the devil. And surely it is for this reason that the Spirit of the incorruptible seed encourages us all to overcome being an ally to the devil? For if you knew that within you resides an ally of the devil, would it not become your mission to deny the devil in all his ways and all his schemes? So does it then not behoove us to overcome the flesh?

     For the LORD our God promises SEVEN things to those who overcome the flesh. And we all know the spiritual significance of SEVEN. Firstly, the LORD promises “the tree of life” to all those who overcome. Which is eternal life. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7).

     The second promise to those who overcome is that you will “not be hurt by the second death”. Which is the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” (Revelation 2:11).

     The third promise is the promise of “hidden manna, a white stone and a new name”. For one thing I desire and seek is to hear the new name that my Father in heaven will one day give me. For when He gives me that new name, that day will be the capstone and the triumph of knowing that I am truly His. “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows except him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17).

     The fourth promise relates to “power over the nations, a rod of iron and the morning star”. Which are the tools he equips us with for ruling alongside Him one day. “And he who overcomes and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ – as I also have received from my Father; and I will give him the morning star.” (Revelation 2:26-28).

     The fifth promise deals with “white garments and the Book of Life”. Which are those garments that are without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). And it’s about having our names indelibly written in the great Book of Life. “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5).

     The sixth promise is the promise of “being a pillar in the temple of My God”. Which is to be “a living stone” of the city of God that supports and strengthens the overall structure of His house. Which is to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life (Psalms 27:4). “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.” (Revelation 3:12).

     And the seventh promise is this: that “we will sit with Him on His throne”. Which He will permit because He will be able to trust His own nature in us. Which also means He can trust His power in us (authority). Which is when the invisible qualities of His eternal power and divine nature shall be clearly seen in us as His sons and daughters (Romans 1:27). “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21). For are we not to ALL pattern ourselves after the order of Jesus? And does it not say plainly here that Jesus likewise “had to overcome” too in order that He may sit down with His Father in His throne?

     So then, choose for yourself this day who you shall serve — either the flesh, and therefore the devil, as his ally — or the leading of the Spirit. “But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” (Joshua 24:15).