How do I “die to the flesh”? This question causes one to think that they must take certain steps to evoke death to their flesh but we must focus on the positive aspect of living unto Christ. Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 12:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
If I pursue full acceptance to FATHER, my flesh is not being fed in any manner and is weakened to the point of dying. I am removing any and all sustenance to my flesh. As I present my body as a living sacrifice to FATHER’S perfect plan, will, and purpose for my life, I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind. This renewal is accomplished by reading, studying, and hearing FATHER’S Word consistently thus removing unbelief from my midst.
If I change my focus to worldly matters and events, my mind ceases to be renewed and I lose my first Love. The categories of worldly matters are found in the Beloved Disciple’s writing by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 2:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Each one of us has a decision to make on a daily basis- pursue FATHER and HIS Word or pursue “all that is in the world” and lose our first Love. The battle for our focus is in our mind and thus we must discipline our mind by building up our spirit. The most direct way I know of is found in Jude 1 given to us by THE SPIRIT:
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
This is why I emphasized praying in THE SPIRIT daily for this will keep us in the Love of Our Heavenly Father. What a simple solution! When I pray in THE SPIRIT, I build up my faith and at the same time, remove unbelief and die to the flesh… little by little until I arrive at full maturity.
The Old Testament cannot transform our minds in the manner Romans 12:2 refers to. Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 3:
12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—
13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away.
14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.
16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Transformation is accomplished by focusing on the New Testament hence that is why I believe FATHER has me focus on the Gospels and Epistles. We need full transformation and this is primarily done by studying the New Testament. Don’t get me wrong, the Old Testament metaphors and parables primarily point to Jesus Christ and thus we should not discount the Old Testament in any way. However, let us focus on the Words of Jesus Christ and the Epistles given by The Holy Spirit to accomplish the transformation.
Saul was an expert on the Old Testament and he killed. When his mind was transformed and became Paul, he became a man of Agape Love. I trust that each of us has the desire to be transformed where we become mature Sons and Daughters and walk in Agape Love as well. When we have become fully transformed, our flesh will have shriveled up and died.