“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Galatians 5:24
What does it mean to crucify the flesh and live to God?
According to the scriptures in Galatians 5:24, was Paul really referring to killing our flesh and going to Heaven to be with God?
Oh, that wouldn’t be the right thing, of course. Crucifying the flesh does not mean to die literally, although death is still involved, not just physical death. To live to God is to live a life that pleases him.
God loves full ownership of the life of his children. This is why he will not share his temple with another god. Jesus also said that whoever will follow him should deny himself and take up his cross (Matthew 16:24).
Crucify the Flesh- What it means
The word crucifies means to kill or mortify. Man is spirit. Therefore he ought to work according to the guidance of the spirit.
The flesh is referred to as the works that are pleasurable to the flesh. These are mentioned in Galatians 5:19. The flesh is mostly used for actions against the Spirit of God. Crucifixion is used by Apostle Paul in respect to the cross of Jesus. That is to nail every work of the flesh to the cross.
In Romans chapter 6, he explains that whoever is born again identifies with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the significance of baptism.
To be buried with Christ is the death to the flesh and the resurrection is the newness of life received. The new man that resurrected with Christ is now like Christ and lives unto God. Ultimately, crucifying the flesh and living to God means that you have overcome sin and the cravings of all its characteristics. You are now focused on living a life that makes God proud.
How to Crucify the Flesh
The following are a few steps to take in other to crucify the flesh;
- Understand what the flesh is
How do you crucify the flesh if you do not understand what the flesh signifies? Everything that is not in accordance with the will of God is flesh. Also, things that you find pleasure in doing but do not give glory to God are works of the flesh.
- Renew your mind with the word of God
The Bible contains the guide to a Christian lifestyle. How to live and how to behave are directed by the word of God. As you study the word of God daily, your mind is learning what is right and unconsciously aligns with what it says.
- Pray constantly
Prayer is a spiritual weapon. You can use it to fight any spiritual war. The works of the flesh is a war against your ordained destiny in Christ. With prayer, you can crucify the flesh. It will definitely be difficult for you to ordinarily crucify the flesh. But in prayers, you will receive the help of God.
- Starve the desire to keep the flesh alive
You need to starve the cravings and the efforts to keep the flesh alive and make time out for God. It might be a company where you used to belong to where the light of God is not seen. You can starve it by expelling yourself from such a group and never to return again. Or if it is something you just to do randomly, you need to think of what propels the action and starve it.
As you starve these desires, you must get a new desire. The new craving has to be that which gives God glory and makes him proud. Like the Psalmist David, let God be the desire of your heart so that you now long for him every time.
After you have crucified the flesh, you begin to live to God. That is a life that glorifies God. The pursuit of God with your whole life and all that you have, like Jesus said, love the Lord with all your heart and with all your might and with all your soul.
As you draw nearer to him in the knowledge of the scriptures, your desires become to please him.
Faith is the way to live to God.
“But without faith, it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith means believing and trusting in him to direct and guide you. Paul also describes a son of God as one who is led by the Spirit of God. To live to God implies letting him lead you, guide you and teach you.
Literally, before you take any action or before you respond to life situations, you need the counsel of God and his direction to take any step. This makes you conscious of the Spirit of God that is inside of you. In Galatians 5:22, living to God means to portray the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Show love to others, be joyful, make peace with your neighbors everywhere, be honest, gentle, tolerable, patient, etc.
Importantly, living for God means that you are no longer interested in what the world has to offer you. Your gaze is fixed thoroughly on Jesus and in him lays your hope and reward. When this is in place, obedience to God will be easier for you. It also includes total surrender to God and his rules. Now check your life; what is it that you ought to crucify in others to live for God? It is worth it.
A relationship with God is worth anything you can think of. Commit yourself to crucify the flesh so as to live for God. Remember that God can make all grace abound towards you. He will give you the help you need for this.
