Crucified Desires
10/07/2025
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
- Galatians 5:24 (NIV)
When Paul wrote to the Galatians, he was addressing believers who were tempted to live by both grace and the law, to mix freedom in Christ with old ways of self-effort. But here, Paul draws a sharp line of transformation: to belong to Jesus is to be different. It’s not just believing in Him; it’s dying with Him.
To “crucify the flesh” means we have made a decisive choice to turn away from our old sinful nature. The cross wasn’t a comfortable symbol, it represented finality. When something was crucified, it was finished. Paul is saying that when we surrendered to Christ, our selfish desires, those that once ruled us, were nailed to that same cross.
This doesn’t mean the temptations disappear overnight. The flesh still whispers, still wants control. But every day, we are called to reaffirm that decision: “No longer I, but Christ lives in me.” Like a gardener pulling weeds before they choke the fruit, we must daily pull up anything that threatens to strangle the Spirit’s work in us, anger, envy, lust, pride, selfish ambition.
Think about an athlete training for a race. They deny themselves things that will slow them down, not because they hate those things, but because their goal is greater. In the same way, we don’t crucify the flesh because we hate life, we do it because we’ve discovered a better one. The Spirit gives us power not only to resist sin, but to replace it with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Action Steps:
Ask God to reveal one “old desire” that still needs to be surrendered to Him.
Write it down and pray over it, symbolically placing it at the cross.
Replace that desire with a spiritual discipline that feeds your spirit instead of your flesh.
Today’s Challenge:
Whenever temptation arises, whisper this declaration: “I belong to Jesus, and this desire has been crucified with Him.” Let that truth set the tone for your choices today.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the power of the cross. Help me to live each day as someone who truly belongs to Jesus, crucifying my old ways and walking in Your Spirit. When my flesh tries to rise again, remind me of the victory that was already won on Calvary. May my life reflect Your freedom and fruitfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
- Galatians 5:24 (NIV)
When Paul wrote to the Galatians, he was addressing believers who were tempted to live by both grace and the law, to mix freedom in Christ with old ways of self-effort. But here, Paul draws a sharp line of transformation: to belong to Jesus is to be different. It’s not just believing in Him; it’s dying with Him.
To “crucify the flesh” means we have made a decisive choice to turn away from our old sinful nature. The cross wasn’t a comfortable symbol, it represented finality. When something was crucified, it was finished. Paul is saying that when we surrendered to Christ, our selfish desires, those that once ruled us, were nailed to that same cross.
This doesn’t mean the temptations disappear overnight. The flesh still whispers, still wants control. But every day, we are called to reaffirm that decision: “No longer I, but Christ lives in me.” Like a gardener pulling weeds before they choke the fruit, we must daily pull up anything that threatens to strangle the Spirit’s work in us, anger, envy, lust, pride, selfish ambition.
Think about an athlete training for a race. They deny themselves things that will slow them down, not because they hate those things, but because their goal is greater. In the same way, we don’t crucify the flesh because we hate life, we do it because we’ve discovered a better one. The Spirit gives us power not only to resist sin, but to replace it with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Action Steps:
Ask God to reveal one “old desire” that still needs to be surrendered to Him.
Write it down and pray over it, symbolically placing it at the cross.
Replace that desire with a spiritual discipline that feeds your spirit instead of your flesh.
Today’s Challenge:
Whenever temptation arises, whisper this declaration: “I belong to Jesus, and this desire has been crucified with Him.” Let that truth set the tone for your choices today.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the power of the cross. Help me to live each day as someone who truly belongs to Jesus, crucifying my old ways and walking in Your Spirit. When my flesh tries to rise again, remind me of the victory that was already won on Calvary. May my life reflect Your freedom and fruitfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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