Crucify your flesh is a process of reformation. It is not done by miracle but through commitment. It is not a third-party intervention but your personal decision.

“I couldn’t stop myself doing it,” said Jones. “It” was his lust, which he satisfies regularly. “I lost control of it,” said Janet. What she lost was control of her tongue, which she always uses to pull down people with toxic insult. Similar instances are listless, but my question is should we continue these regrets or to crucify the flesh?

What Does Crucify Your Flesh Means?

Paul told the churches of Galatia that those who have come to faith in Christ have “crucified the flesh.”

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

More than anything else, “crucifying the flesh” is Paul’s description of a radical repentance that must take place in your life.

The conventional crucifixion causes physical suffering, but to crucify your flesh involves psychological suffering as you turn your back on the old way of life.

Criminals nailed to the cross did not survive. So, your old nature must be on the cross and no more survival of the old self in you.

Your crucified flesh means your sinful old desires are separated from you and are dead.

Note: Crucifixion is painful, so get prepared for unpleasant moment when nailing your sinful desires on the cross.

Crucifying the Old Man for New Life

To receive a new life from the LORD, you have to put off the “old man” who is your old life without godliness.

“If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesian 4: 21-24

Your “old man” is your mindset before given your life to Jesus Christ, where you allowed sin to rule your life. Your old life did not make a conscious decision to resist sin but instead gave in to temptation.

There is no way you can stop sinning if your “old man” continues to be active in your life. So, you we will need forgiveness for the same sins you commit every day.

To believe some church doctrine that you can get victory over sin without putting off the “old man” is deception from the kingdom of Devil. If you want spiritual progress after given your life to Jesus Christ, then you have to crucify or put off, your “old man.”

Crucifying the “old man” is a decision you make by faith to put off your old mindset (which willingly gave in to sinful actions) and put on the “new man”. Your new man is a new mindset with a strong determination to resist sin and to live a crucified life with Jesus Christ.

When you crucify your flesh then your new mind no longer serves sin, but instead declares a resounding “No!” when you are tempted. This is a powerful decision of faith, which takes place in our mind.

Appetites of the flesh

Despite given your life to the LORD, your flesh may crave for the following appetites, but you must remember that your old man is crucified. Say a Big NO! to the following:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” (Ephesians 5: 3-5)

“Therefore, put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience…” (Colossians 3:5-6)

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

7 Benefits when you Crucify Your Flesh

Your Flesh is referred to as the old man, the sinful desires and the unholy thoughts. The only way to receive a righteous peaceful life is to imitate the act of Jesus. How? Crucify your flesh!

The Benefits of killing your flesh on the cross include:

1. Acquisition of a New Life

2. Jehovah, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit will come into your heart

3. When sinful thoughts come, you would overcome the temptation

4. Your name is written in the Book of Life

5. You will have Peace everyday

6. You won’t misbehave because every decision is approved by God

7. Your status will change permanently from sinner to Child of God

7 Ways to Crucify your Flesh

Don’t worry if you have to follow the steps below every day, because His Grace is available. Very soon your lifestyle will adjust completely to the standard of the Lord.

1. Pray with all your heart

Prayer is a means of communicating with God. This is the time you put everything before the LORD. Ask for victory and forgiveness. You will gain strength, clarity, peace, and comfort through prayers.

2. Read your Bible

No child of God can survive without studying the Word of God daily. The Word of God helps true repentance and transformation. Reading the Bible with an open willing heart does wonders for your mind and soul.

3. Genuine Repentance

Repentance is turning away from sin. To crucify your flesh is to turn away from your sinful nature. Make a commitment not to go back to those wrong doings. Stay away from people that may lure you into the mess again!

4. Make GOD the First

Do not take any action without getting God’s consent. God dwells in the heart of the believers. His Spirit is your Counsellor. Don’t take any action because 99 percent of the people around you are doing the same thing.  

5. Always Activate your Mind

Always fill your heart with; the promises of the LORD, His commandments and His instructions. Listen to good gospel music that inspire your soul. Read books and websites that connect you to the spiritual things of the Lord. A passive mind is a sinner’s mind.

6. Obey the Word

The difference between the old man and the new man is obedience to the word of God without compromising. Your crucified flesh will always be doers of the Word and not just hearer. Your flesh would be crucified if you don’t argue with the Holy Spirit.

7. Be Steadfast

When you neglect your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it becomes easier to backslide and fall into your sinful nature. But steadfastness brings about holy mind set and spiritual growth.

The steps above are scriptural guidelines to crucify your flesh. I followed the steps and my flesh was crucified. Obey the steps and you will have freedom from bondage of sin.