This morning when you woke up, your flesh was at war with your spirit. While you may not have been fully aware of this battle, it was raging within you, and has been for quite some time.
Even more notably, it will be ongoing as long as you are living in this world. One of the most important aspects of keeping your flesh in subjection to the Holy Spirit is to practice self-control. The Holy Spirit wants to lead us into lives that are pleasing to God, while our flesh wants only to please its own sinful desires.
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to give you greater self-control as you continue to fight for Godly living.
Pray These Verses:
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV)
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Matthew 26:41 (NIV)
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
Pray This Prayer:
Heavenly Father, today I ask that You help me to do a better job of keeping my fleshly desires in subjection to the truth of Your Word. Even on the days that I feel like I am standing firm, I want to be careful that I do not fall prey to the temptation that I face every day.
I know that the things that tempt me aren’t unique to me, and I know that You have promised me a way of escape when I’m confronted with these temptations every day. You are faithful! You are faithful when I am thriving, and You are faithful when I am struggling!
When I face temptation, help me to see the way of escape that You provide for me. My spirit wants to please You, but my flesh is weak. However, I know that the Spirit that You have placed inside me is not one that is weak, it is not powerless, and it is not powerful.
Instead, the Spirit that lives within me is filled with power, love, and self-discipline. Help me to live a life of self-discipline and self-control so I can live a life that pleases You. I ask these things in Christ’s name, Amen.
Thank God:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the ability to put my flesh in subjection. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit that allows me to live a life of self-control. I know that You have given me everything I need to be a more disciplined person. Thank You for creating a way of escape every time I’m confronted with temptation. In Christ’s name, Amen.