CRUCIFYING THE FLESH

Scripture:

Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” — Galatians 5:24

Message

The flesh does not retire—it resists. It does not mature into righteousness; it competes with it. The flesh seeks expression through comfort, recognition, control, self-preservation, and independence from God. Even after salvation, its impulses attempt to reclaim influence.

Inner transformation requires more than managing impulses; it requires crucifixion. Management restrains behavior temporarily. Crucifixion removes authority permanently. The flesh is not reformed—it is dethroned.

Crucifixion is decisive. It is not negotiation but execution. There is no treaty between the Spirit and the flesh. The flesh will always argue for compromise: “Just this once.” “You deserve this.” “Protect yourself.” But the Spirit calls for surrender. When we say yes to the Spirit, we simultaneously say no to self-rule. Every act of obedience is an act of dethroning the flesh.

To crucify the flesh means refusing to let desires dictate direction. Desires are not evil by default—but when they operate outside God’s order, they become destructive. The flesh magnifies feelings and minimizes consequences. It demands immediate gratification and resists delayed obedience. Crucifixion interrupts that cycle.

This process is daily. Jesus said, “Take up your cross daily.” Yesterday’s victory does not eliminate today’s decision. Each day presents new opportunities to surrender pride in conversation, control in leadership, indulgence in private moments, retaliation when offended, and self-exaltation when praised. Crucifixion often happens in unseen places.

Crucifying the flesh also involves exposing it. The flesh thrives in secrecy and justification. When its motives are brought into the light of Scripture and the conviction of the Spirit, its influence weakens. Many believers struggle not because the flesh is too strong, but because it is too protected.

There is also a cost. Crucifixion is uncomfortable. It wounds pride. It silences ego. It refuses applause. It chooses humility when recognition is available. It forgives when revenge feels justified. It gives when selfishness feels reasonable. The cross always confronts self-interest.

Yet crucifying the flesh creates space for spiritual fruit. The Spirit does not produce fruit in soil dominated by self-rule. Love grows where pride dies. Patience increases where irritation is surrendered. Gentleness appears where harshness is denied. Peace flows where anxiety is released into God’s sovereignty. The removal of the flesh makes room for the life of Christ.

Though crucifixion sounds severe, it leads to freedom. What dies is bondage. What lives is Spirit-empowered purpose. The flesh promises pleasure but produces captivity. The Spirit requires surrender but produces life. True freedom is not the ability to do what you want—it is the power to live beyond what enslaved you.

When Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ,” he revealed a mystery: crucifixion is not self-destruction; it is identification. We die with Christ so that His life may be revealed through us. The cross is not merely something we admire—it is something we apply.

Beloved, every day you choose who rules—self or Spirit. The cross is not an event behind you; it is a decision before you.

Golden Nugget

Freedom begins where self-rule ends.

Further Study

Luke 9:23Romans 8:13

Galatians 2:20

Prayer

Father, I choose daily surrender. Teach me to deny the flesh and walk by the Spirit. Strengthen me where I feel weak. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Activation

In one difficult decision today, consciously choose obedience over comfort.