I'm New! What Do I Do?Sample

How to Control the Flesh

Living a New Life

As we start Week Three, it’s good to be reminded that you’re new. You used to be dead, but now you are alive. You are leaving the old way of doing life and learning to live a new life.

What do you do when old habits and ways creep back into your life? First, know that even if you happen to mess up, you’re still saved. Your spirit is born again, but you still live in the same body (flesh) as before. The flesh will war against your spirit and desire the old way of living. The desire will be to please yourself rather than God. The flesh wants the old way.

The Bible calls these activities “dead works.” A dead work is one that won’t give you life; it brings death. Death is separation. Dead works separate us from God, so the Bible tells us to repent from dead works.

Repentance is turning away from the direction in which you were going, with a changed heart and mind, and going in God’s direction. If you mess up, confess it to God and repent; turn away from it and follow God’s way, the way of life!

When your flesh presents an opportunity to do something contrary to God’s will, you need to link your mind with your spirit, turn away from the flesh, and go God’s way.

Prayer

Take some time to reflect and ask God to show you if there are dead works, or things you have done, from which you need to repent (turn away).

“Dear God, I confess these dead works that I have done to You. (List any now…) Please forgive me. I repent and turn my heart and mind to follow Your way. Thank You for forgiving me. Amen.”