Submitting to God and Denying Our Fleshly Tendencies

Part 1: Understanding Submission

The Call to Surrender

Submission to God is not a suggestion for believers—it is the very foundation of discipleship. To follow Christ means more than confessing Him with our lips; it requires yielding every area of our lives to His lordship. James 4:7 tells us, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Notice how submission precedes resistance. Many Christians desire to resist the enemy yet neglect the first command: to bow before God in humility and trust. Without submission, resistance has no power.

Submission is more than obedience to rules—it is surrender of the heart. It is saying, “God, You are not just Savior of my soul, but Lord of my life. You have the right to direct me, correct me, and use me as You please.” This posture of surrender is the same spirit Jesus displayed in Gethsemane, when He cried out, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). In that moment, He modeled for us that true strength is not found in self-assertion but in divine submission.

The world teaches us that submission is weakness, but in the Kingdom of God, submission is strength. When we submit, we are placing our frailty into God’s omnipotence, our confusion into His wisdom, our weakness into His strength. In doing so, we align ourselves with His perfect will, which Paul describes in Romans 12:2 as “good, pleasing and perfect.” To submit is to trust that God knows better than we do, and that His path—even if it is narrow and difficult—is always leading us toward life.

Why Submission is Difficult

If submission were easy, Scripture would not need to command us repeatedly to humble ourselves before the Lord. Our natural tendency is rebellion. Ever since the garden of Eden, humanity has desired autonomy—wanting to decide good and evil on our own terms. The flesh resists submission because it craves control, comfort, and self-gratification. Pride whispers that we know best. Fear tells us that if we surrender, we will miss out. Yet these are lies from the enemy designed to keep us bound.

Submission challenges our idols. It demands that we dethrone self and enthrone Christ. That is why Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The flesh recoils at this command because it wants comfort, not crucifixion. But the cross is not optional—it is the daily symbol of surrendered discipleship. Without the cross, there is no resurrection life. Without surrender, there is no true intimacy with God.

Submission is also difficult because it often requires trust in what we cannot see. Abraham was called to leave his homeland without knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). Mary submitted to bearing the Christ child without fully understanding the cost. Jesus submitted to the Father’s plan of the cross, though it led Him through agony. Each of these examples shows us that submission does not eliminate struggle—it transforms it into worship. Faith is tested in submission, but it is also perfected there.

The Beauty of a Submitted Life

Though difficult, submission to God is beautiful. When we yield our lives to Him, we enter into the very purpose for which we were created. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Peace comes when we stop striving to control everything and instead rest under His authority.

A submitted life also bears fruit. Jesus declared in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” Fruitfulness comes not from striving but from abiding—remaining submitted, connected, and dependent on Christ. When we are submitted, the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control within us (Galatians 5:22–23).

Most importantly, submission brings glory to God. When the world sees a believer walking in humility and obedience, they see a reflection of Christ, who “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). Our submission becomes a testimony that He is worthy, that His ways are higher, and that His kingdom is worth every sacrifice. To live a submitted life is to declare with our actions: “Jesus is Lord.”

Part 2: The War With the Flesh

The Reality of the Flesh

When Scripture speaks of “the flesh,” it does not simply mean our physical bodies. The body itself is not evil—God created it good. Rather, the flesh refers to our fallen, sinful nature that desires to live apart from God. It is the inward tendency toward rebellion, self-centeredness, and indulgence that wages war against the Spirit within us. Paul explains in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”

This war is not imaginary—it is the daily experience of every believer. Even Paul, an apostle full of the Spirit, confessed in Romans 7:18–19: “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” If the apostle Paul experienced this inner battle, then we should not be surprised when we feel it ourselves. The war between flesh and Spirit is the normal battleground of discipleship.

The tragedy is that many believers underestimate the seriousness of the flesh. We often assume that once we are saved, the battle is over. But salvation begins a new war, not the end of conflict. The Spirit gives us power to win, but the flesh will resist until the day we are glorified. To ignore this battle is to risk falling into compromise, apathy, and bondage. Scripture is clear: “Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). The stakes are eternal, which is why we must take the war with the flesh seriously.

The Works of the Flesh

Paul provides a sobering list in Galatians 5:19–21: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” These are not small matters—each represents the corruption of God’s design.

Sexual immorality distorts God’s gift of intimacy. Hatred, jealousy, and rage destroy the unity God desires among His people. Selfish ambition elevates the self above the kingdom, while drunkenness and indulgence numb us from the Spirit’s conviction. The flesh always pulls us downward, away from holiness and into destruction. Romans 6:23 reminds us: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Left unchecked, the works of the flesh bring death—spiritually, relationally, and even physically.

The danger of the flesh is that it does not simply show up in dramatic sins; it often works subtly. Pride cloaks itself as confidence. Greed disguises itself as ambition. Lust masquerades as love. Gossip dresses itself as concern. The flesh deceives, promising satisfaction but delivering emptiness. This is why Paul urges in Romans 13:14: “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Victory begins with refusing to entertain its whispers and instead clothing ourselves daily with Christ.

The Crucifixion of the Flesh

If the flesh is so dangerous, how do we overcome it? Scripture provides a clear but radical answer: the flesh must be crucified. Paul declares in Galatians 5:24, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Notice the language—crucifixion. The flesh cannot be tamed, rehabilitated, or negotiated with. It must be put to death.

This crucifixion is both positional and practical. Positionally, when we put our faith in Christ, our old nature was crucified with Him on the cross (Romans 6:6). The penalty of sin was broken, and we were made new creations in Him. Yet practically, we must choose daily to walk in that reality by denying sinful desires as they arise. Jesus calls us to “take up our cross daily” (Luke 9:23). Each day presents opportunities to say no to the flesh and yes to the Spirit.

Crucifying the flesh is painful because it involves self-denial. It may mean ending a relationship that feeds sin, cutting off access to media that tempts us, confessing sins we want to hide, or humbling ourselves when pride wants to win. Yet the death of the flesh is the pathway to life. Jesus said in John 12:24, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” When we allow the flesh to die, new life, freedom, and fruitfulness emerge.

The Hope of the Spirit

Though the war with the flesh is fierce, God has not left us without hope. He has given us His Spirit to empower us. Romans 8:13 says, “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” Notice that it is by the Spirit that we put the flesh to death. This is not accomplished through willpower alone but through reliance on God’s power within us.

Walking in the Spirit means cultivating intimacy with God. It means filling our minds with His Word, praying without ceasing, worshiping in spirit and truth, and obeying His promptings. The Spirit will convict us when the flesh tries to rise up, but we must choose to yield. When we yield, He strengthens. When we resist, He provides escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The fruit of a Spirit-led life is radically different from the works of the flesh. Where the flesh produces destruction, the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). These are not manufactured by human effort—they are the natural evidence of a surrendered life. The war with the flesh is real, but the victory is secure when we walk in step with the Spirit.

Part 3: Walking in the Spirit

The Invitation to a Spirit-Led Life

The Christian life is not meant to be lived in human strength alone. God never intended for us to struggle endlessly in our own power. Instead, He promised us His Spirit—the very presence of God dwelling within us. Galatians 5:16 gives us the key: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Notice Paul does not say, “Try harder not to sin.” Instead, he points us to a relationship: walking with the Spirit.

To “walk” in the Spirit is to live in continual fellowship with Him. Just as walking involves step-by-step movement, so walking with the Spirit means making daily decisions under His guidance. It is not about occasional encounters with God but a lifestyle of communion. Every thought, word, and action is an opportunity to yield to His leadership. The Spirit is not a force but a Person, and He desires to lead us intimately, patiently, and powerfully.

This invitation is not limited to the spiritually “elite.” Every believer is called to walk in the Spirit. Romans 8:14 declares, “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Being Spirit-led is not optional—it is the very evidence that we belong to Christ. To live any other way is to settle for less than the abundant life Jesus promised.

Characteristics of Walking in the Spirit

A Spirit-led life is marked by transformation. First, the Spirit cultivates holiness within us. He convicts us of sin, not to condemn us, but to cleanse us. John 16:8 says, “When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” The Spirit exposes the darkness in our hearts and replaces it with light. A believer who walks in the Spirit cannot remain comfortable in sin because the Spirit continually calls them higher.

Second, walking in the Spirit produces discernment. The world is filled with deception and competing voices, but the Spirit teaches us truth. Jesus promised in John 16:13, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” When we walk in the Spirit, we learn to recognize His voice above all others. He directs our decisions, warns us of danger, and leads us into the will of God.

Third, the Spirit fills us with power for service. Acts 1:8 reminds us, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” Walking in the Spirit equips us to be bold witnesses of Christ, to minister with spiritual gifts, and to advance the Kingdom with effectiveness. The Spirit does not only sanctify us inwardly but also empowers us outwardly for mission.

Practical Steps to Walk in the Spirit

Walking in the Spirit is not mystical; it is intentional. One way we walk in the Spirit is through prayer. Prayer is conversation with God, and without it, intimacy with the Spirit fades. A Spirit-led believer cultivates both set-apart times of prayer and constant communion throughout the day. Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” This does not mean reciting words endlessly but living in continual awareness of God’s presence.

Another key is filling ourselves with the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word always work together. Ephesians 6:17 describes Scripture as “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” When we read, meditate, and obey the Word, the Spirit uses it to guide and strengthen us. A believer cannot walk in the Spirit while neglecting Scripture. The Word renews our minds (Romans 12:2) and equips us to discern the Spirit’s leading.

Obedience is also essential. Walking in the Spirit requires not only hearing His voice but responding. Too often we quench the Spirit by ignoring His promptings. Paul warns in 1 Thessalonians 5:19: “Do not quench the Spirit.” Small acts of obedience—whether speaking an encouraging word, resisting temptation, or stepping into a new assignment—train us to be sensitive to His guidance. Over time, obedience becomes a rhythm, and our steps align naturally with His.

The Fruit of a Spirit-Led Life

When we consistently walk in the Spirit, the evidence will be undeniable. Galatians 5:22–23 lists the fruit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” These qualities are not manufactured by human effort but are produced supernaturally by the Spirit within us. Just as a tree naturally bears fruit when healthy, so a believer naturally bears the fruit of the Spirit when abiding in Him.

The Spirit-led life is also characterized by freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 proclaims, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Walking in the Spirit liberates us from the bondage of sin, fear, and condemnation. The enemy loses his grip, and we experience the freedom of being sons and daughters of God.

Finally, walking in the Spirit glorifies Christ. The Spirit’s ultimate role is to magnify Jesus in our lives. John 16:14 says, “He will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you.” When we live Spirit-led lives, others see not us but Christ shining through us. Our lives become testimonies of His grace and power, drawing others to Him.

A Final Exhortation

Beloved, the war with the flesh is real, but victory is possible when we walk in the Spirit. The Spirit empowers what our flesh cannot. He strengthens us when we are weak, teaches us when we are confused, and comforts us when we are weary. Walking in the Spirit is not about striving harder but about surrendering deeper.

Today, choose to invite the Spirit into every area of your life. Submit your thoughts, desires, and decisions to Him. Feed your spirit with prayer and the Word. Obey His voice promptly and trust His guidance fully. In doing so, you will not only resist the flesh—you will experience the abundant life Jesus promised.

Let us echo Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This is the life of surrender, the life of victory, the life of walking in the Spirit.

Let's Reflect:

Throughout this journey, we have seen that the Christian life is a daily surrender. To follow Christ means to live submitted to God, to deny the desires of the flesh, and to walk in the Spirit. These are not three separate callings but one unified way of life—a life patterned after Jesus Himself.

Submission reminds us that God is Lord, and His ways are higher than our own. It is humility in action, bowing our hearts before Him and saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

The war with the flesh teaches us that we cannot serve two masters. The sinful nature will always resist the Spirit, but by crucifying the flesh and choosing holiness, we step into the freedom Christ purchased for us.

Walking in the Spirit shows us that victory is not achieved through human strength but through divine empowerment. The Spirit equips us, transforms us, and produces fruit in us that glorifies Christ.

Beloved, this is the narrow road Jesus spoke of—a life of daily surrender. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it. The reward is peace, joy, freedom, and intimacy with God. When we yield ourselves fully, we discover the abundant life Jesus promised: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

A Prayer of Surrender

Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a heart that longs to be fully Yours. Today, I choose to submit my life to You. I lay down my will, my desires, and my plans, and I surrender to Your perfect will. Lord, crucify my flesh with its passions and desires, and teach me to walk in the power of Your Spirit.

Holy Spirit, guide my steps. Convict me when I wander, strengthen me when I am weak, and fill me with Your fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Jesus, thank You for the cross. Thank You for dying in my place and giving me new life. May my life be a reflection of Your glory, a testimony of Your grace, and an instrument for Your kingdom. From this day forward, I choose surrender, I choose obedience, and I choose to walk in the Spirit.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.