Spirit vs Flesh

Opening Scripture

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)

There is a war inside every believer. The spirit wants God, but the flesh wants comfort. Many people try to grow spiritually but find themselves stuck in the same patterns. This inner conflict is real, and if we don’t deal with it, we’ll keep losing ground.

The good news? Victory is possible. But it takes a decision to feed the spirit and deny the flesh.

You Can’t Grow If You Keep Feeding the Flesh

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another…”
Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)

Your spirit and your flesh are fighting for control. Whichever one you feed will dominate your life. If you spend all your time in entertainment, comfort, and distractions, don’t be surprised if your spirit feels weak and your passion for God fades.

But when you spend time in the Word, in prayer, and in worship, your spirit grows stronger. Temptations lose their grip. You start to walk in victory.

You don’t win this battle by accident. You win it through investment.

Time Is the Currency of the Spirit

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed…”
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

God gives each of us the same 24 hours. What you do with your time reveals what matters most to you. In the spiritual realm, time is more valuable than money. Time is what you spend to grow. Time is what you sow to see change.

If you spend no time with God, don’t expect spiritual strength. But when you invest time with Him daily and consistently, you begin to change. You become like the One you spend time with.

If you want to see God’s power in your life, start by guarding your time.

Don’t Let the Flesh Pull You Out of God’s Presence

“In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

Whatever pulls you away from God’s presence is hurting your growth. The enemy doesn’t always use obvious sin. Sometimes it’s just busyness, entertainment, or constant noise. Over time, your spirit grows dull.

You need God’s presence more than you need anything else. That’s where joy, peace, and power come from. Fight to stay close to Him.

Final Call: Feed the Spirit and Starve the Flesh

Every choice you make is either feeding your spirit or feeding your flesh. You won’t grow by chance. You grow by choice.

This is your call to shift your priorities. Wake up early to pray. Cut off distractions. Read the Word with hunger. Invest time with God like your life depends on it, because it does.

If you want to walk in victory, feed the spirit. Don’t let the flesh win another day.

Closing Scripture

“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16 (NKJV)

Fix Your Mind on God

Opening Scripture

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” — Isaiah 26:3–4 (NKJV)

At the most recent Band of Brothers meeting, the group came together to address a deeply serious issue: the rising number of suicides among men. This conversation was not just about statistics; it was about souls, about real men fighting quiet battles in isolation, and about the urgent need for spiritual and emotional support. The gathering highlighted the power of Christian brotherhood, the necessity of consistent spiritual disciplines, and the reality that peace and purpose can only be found when we fully surrender our thoughts and lives to God.

Here is a detailed summary of the key points discussed in the meeting:

1. Confronting Alarming Suicide Statistics Among Men

The meeting began by acknowledging hard truths: suicide rates are especially high among men. Many are overwhelmed by silent pain, isolation, and hopelessness. The group recognized that without spiritual health, even the strongest men can fall. This is why brotherhood, prayer, and time with God are not just beneficial they are essential.

“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18 (NKJV)

2. The Importance of Community and Brotherhood

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
— Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV)

Men were reminded that God designed us for community. Weekly meetings like these aren’t just for fellowship; they are spiritual lifelines. The group celebrated their consistency: over the past four years, they have met faithfully equivalent to 26 full days spent pursuing God together. That time has built strong spiritual foundations, accountability, and genuine relationships.

3. Peace Comes from Focused Trust in God

The key verse for this meeting, Isaiah 26:3–4, clearly shows that perfect peace is not a feeling that comes and goes; it is the result of a disciplined mind that stays focused on God. Trusting in the Lord brings inner stability. The group was reminded: peace is not something you wait for it is something you fight for by choosing where your thoughts rest.

4. The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
— Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)

There is a war happening inside every believer. The flesh wants comfort, sin, and shortcuts; the Spirit calls us to holiness, discipline, and truth. The group discussed how victory in this battle comes through spiritual investment: prayer, fasting, Scripture, and worship. Feeding the flesh leads to death; feeding the Spirit leads to life and peace.

5. Investing Time: The Cost of Growth

Brothers shared a practical reflection: time is either spent on things that distract or on things that build. Spiritual growth requires time real, intentional time. That includes daily prayer, reading the Bible, fasting regularly, and setting aside distractions. These practices are not burdens; they are the price of spiritual power and deep relationship with God.

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
— Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)

6. A Challenge: Commute in Prayer

The group was challenged to redeem their daily routines by praying during their commute to work. Whether it is 10 minutes or an hour, this time can be transformed into spiritual preparation. The goal: start the day in conversation with God, intercede for others, and set your heart on Him before any other voice has a chance to speak.

7. The Power of Consistent Meetings and Testimonies

Several brothers shared personal testimonies about how the group has helped them stay strong in their walk with Christ. Many expressed deep appreciation for the steady support, accountability, and spiritual encouragement they’ve received over the past four years. These testimonies served as a powerful reminder: consistency in fellowship brings lasting transformation.

8. Slow Mornings: Starting the Day with God

The group discussed the value of “slow mornings.” In a culture that glorifies busyness, starting the day quietly with God reading Scripture, worshiping, and praying was emphasized as a life-giving discipline. Mornings spent with God strengthen the soul and prepare the heart for everything that comes later in the day.

Key Scriptures Referenced During the Meeting

  • Hebrews 10:25 – The importance of gathering with other believers
  • Psalm 34:18 – God is close to the brokenhearted
  • Isaiah 26:3–4 – Peace comes through a mind fixed on God
  • Galatians 5:17 – The internal war between flesh and Spirit
  • Psalm 119 – God’s Word is our spiritual defense
  • 2 Corinthians 3:18 – God transforms us as we behold His glory
  • Hebrews 4:16 – We can boldly approach God’s throne for help
  • Psalm 22:3 – God inhabits the praises of His people

Final Thoughts: Spiritual Growth Requires Sacrifice

Every man must decide where to spend his time and energy. The message from this meeting was clear: if we want to grow spiritually, we must make God the priority. That means giving Him our mornings, our drives, our decisions, and our struggles.

Peace comes through focus. Strength comes through discipline. Hope comes through brotherhood.

If you are struggling, do not suffer in silence. Reach out. Speak up. Pray. Stay in fellowship. Make time for God every day, because your life, your eternal soul is worth fighting for.

You were not made to walk alone. God is calling. Now is the time to answer.

Break Free and Walk in the Light

Opening Scripture:

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
Galatians 5:1 (NKJV)

There is a real battle happening in the spirit; one that affects families, minds, and entire generations. Many people are unknowingly walking in spiritual darkness, bound by beliefs, practices, or traditions that oppose the truth of God’s Word. But Jesus came to set the captives free. This is not just a message for unbelievers; it’s a warning and a call to God’s people to wake up and walk in the full freedom they’ve been given.

God Leads the Blind, But We Must Follow

“I will bring the blind by a way they did not know… I will make darkness light before them…”Isaiah 42:16

God knows we are blind without Him; He doesn’t condemn us: He guides us. But He only leads those who admit their need. Pride keeps people stuck. When we think we see clearly but are actually blind, we reject the very help God offers. Ask the Lord to open your eyes. His light will show you where your path is crooked and He will make it straight.

Hidden Darkness Must Be Exposed and Renounced

Spiritual bondage can hide in plain sight through family traditions, mystical practices, or ungodly covenants made in ignorance. These are not small things. Scripture says:

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”Hosea 4:6

Freedom begins when we expose what is hidden and break agreement with darkness. That may mean rejecting family idols, renouncing witchcraft, or disconnecting from ungodly spiritual activities. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil; not to coexist with them. Freedom means separation.

Your Identity in Christ Is Everything

When you are born again, you become a new creation part of God’s royal family. But if you don’t understand your identity, you’ll live as though you’re still in chains. Satan’s goal is to keep you ignorant and afraid.

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”Matthew 28:18
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”John 8:32

You are no longer under any curse. You have authority in Christ. But you must walk in it—by faith, with knowledge, and through obedience.

Don’t Go Back to Bondage

The world is full of distractions that look innocent; sororities, secret rituals, spiritual movements, and philosophies that sound good but are rooted in deception. These things pull people back into bondage. Once you are free, do not return.

“Do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”Galatians 5:1

Guard your heart. Test everything against Scripture. The enemy is subtle, but God is faithful. The Spirit will reveal the truth if you ask and listen.

The Narrow Path Is Hard, but It Leads to Life

“Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”Matthew 7:14

Many are on the broad path because it’s easy, popular, and feels safe. But the broad path leads to destruction. The narrow way; God’s way is costly. It demands surrender, purity, and obedience. But it leads to eternal life.

Do not fear rejection or difficulty. Fear God alone, and walk the narrow road with joy. Jesus walks it with you.

Final Call: Humble Yourself and Seek God’s Truth

This is not the time for pride, compromise, or spiritual laziness. We must humble ourselves before God, seek His truth in every area, and lead our homes with clean hands and pure hearts. Let God search your life. Let Him tear down every stronghold and rebuild your life on Christ alone.

Let Him open your eyes. Let Him straighten your path. Let Him set you completely free.

The time is now.

Closing Scripture:

“Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”Ephesians 5:14