Bye, Bye Flesh

The Apostle Paul reveals some interesting news oncerning our flesh...
"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:27)

To bring something into subjection means to rule over; to take authority over; to bring under control; to have dominion over. Paul considered his body/flesh to be and enemy with which he must contend. He does everything possible to subdue his weak body as well as all of its corrupt and carnal inclinations to show that he was not a slave to his body or under the dominion of evil passions, but that he is fully under the dominion of Jesus Christ.

Because Paul was an Apostle does not mean that he was more saved than you or I. It does not mean that he had more authority over his body than you or I over ours. Every believer has the ability to bring his or her body/flesh into subjection in the Name of Jesus. This is not based on shear determination, but an act of the will to submit to God and exercise faith in Christ! James tells us the power that is in our words...

"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." (James 3:1-12)

A look at Proverbs we also see the power of the tongue..
"You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth."
(Proverbs 6:2)
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
(Proverbs 18:21)
In other words, you and I are the rulers of our bodies. We must let the spirit man on the inside rise up and take charge.

Smith Wigglesworth said it this way. “If someone asks, how is Smith Wigglesworth feeling today?” I tell him, I never ask Smith Wigglesworth how he feels, I tell him how he feels.”

A great prayer that you can start confessing over yourself is...
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
(3 John 2) However, do not pray this prayer and blatantly get into debt, abuse your body or do things that you know are appealing to your flesh that you know is wrong. As your soul prospers in the knowledge of Christ and the more you will prosper in other areas of your life which includes walking in divine health. These things will cause your faith to grow. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

There are numerous verses of scripture that believers can confess over their lives, only know this one very important thing, confess the Word in faith!!!