Preaching on Mastering Fleshly Lusts

Let us confront a battle that rages within each of us: the struggle against fleshly lusts. We gather today not to condemn, but to equip ourselves with the spiritual armor necessary to conquer these desires, and to walk in the freedom Christ offers.

1. The Danger of Lusts and the Need to Nip It in the Root (Matthew 5:29)

"Wherefore if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members perish, rather than that thy whole body be cast into hell." Jesus's words are stark, a powerful metaphor for the radical action required to combat sin. It is not about physical mutilation, but about the urgent need to address the root of sin, the inner desires that lead us astray. We must eliminate anything that fuels temptation, any thought, any image, any relationship that compromises our purity.

2. Renouncing That Which Causes Us to Fall (Matthew 18:8)

"Therefore if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire." This reinforces the need for decisive action. We must identify and renounce the habits, the environments, and the influences that lead us away from God. Holiness demands a firm and unwavering commitment to resisting temptation.

3. The Old Man Was Crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6)

"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Through Christ's sacrifice, our old, sinful nature was crucified. We are no longer slaves to sin. We have been given a new life, a life of freedom and righteousness. We must continually remember this truth, and refuse to allow the old man to rise again.

4. The Death of the Works of the Flesh by the Spirit (Romans 8:13)

"For if you live after the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Victory over the flesh is not achieved through willpower alone, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. We must rely on His strength, His guidance, and His enabling power to mortify our carnal desires. This is a daily process, a constant surrender to the Spirit's control.

5. Putting on Christ and Not Giving Opportunity to the Flesh (Romans 13:14)

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." We must fill our lives with Christ, immersing ourselves in His word, His presence, and His love. We must avoid situations that tempt us, and cultivate habits that strengthen our spiritual resolve. Our struggle is not merely against sinful actions, but against the very desires and thoughts that lead to sin.

6. Walk in the Spirit So as Not to Fulfill the Flesh (Galatians 5:16)

"But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." When we live in constant communion with the Holy Spirit, His presence guides our steps and empowers us to resist temptation. The Christian life is a walk of dependence, a reliance on the Spirit's power to overcome the desires of the flesh.

7. The Crucifixion of the Flesh with Its Passions (Galatians 5:24)

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Sanctification is a daily decision, a constant renunciation of our sinful nature. We must choose to align our desires with God's will, to reject the fleeting pleasures of sin for the lasting joy of righteousness.

8. Putting to Death the Earthly Nature (Colossians 3:5)

"Therefore put to death your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." Holiness is not an option, but a command. We are called to actively put to death the sins of the flesh, to eliminate the earthly desires that war against our souls.

9. Pilgrims in This World – Turning Away from Fleshly Desires (1 Peter 2:11)

"Beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." We are not citizens of this world, but pilgrims on a journey to our heavenly home. We must live as those who are passing through, not as those who are anchored to the fleeting pleasures of this life. The fight against the flesh is continuous, but we have the victory in Christ.

10. Living for the Will of God, Not for the Flesh (1 Peter 4:2)

"That ye should no longer live the rest of the time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." Our lives should be guided by God's purpose, not by the fleeting desires of the flesh. Our goal should be to please Him in every area of our lives, to live in obedience to His will.

Conclusion

Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us commit ourselves to mastering fleshly lusts. Let us rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, put on the armor of Christ, and walk in the freedom He provides. Let us strive to live lives that honor God, and reflect His glory. Amen.

Preaching on Mastering Fleshly Lusts