Journey to Easter – 40-Day Creative Lent Devotional – Day 14: The War Within: Spirit vs Flesh

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fight between spirit and flesh

 

Day 14: The War Within: Spirit vs Flesh

Opening Prayer

opening prayer

Heavenly Father, as we turn our hearts and minds to consider the internal war between the flesh and the spirit, we ask for Your guidance and wisdom. Search our innermost beings, shining light into the dark places where sinful desires still hold control.

Reveal to each of us through Your Word and Spirit the strongholds and old patterns of thought or behavior that resist full surrender. We acknowledge the daily struggle with selfish passions and temptations of this world. Strengthen us when we feel weak or give in to temptation.

Fill us afresh with Your presence, that the flesh may decrease as Your Spirit increases within. Help us grow in holiness, sanctifying every part of our being through obedience to Your truth. Renew our minds to align fully with Yours, O God, so we walk not according to selfish impulses but by faith.

May this time of reflection draw us into deeper intimacy with Christ, who alone overcame sin completely. In His victorious name we pray, Amen.

Scripture Reading and Reflection

flesh against spirit

Galatians 5:16-17 KJV

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Reflection:

Within each believer lies an internal struggle – a war between the desires of the sinful flesh and promptings of the Holy Spirit. On one side stands our human nature inclined toward selfishness, shortsighted cravings and instant gratification. But the Spirit living within calls us higher, to holiness, self-control and Christlikeness. This tension dates back to the Fall, when sin corrupted our nature and bent us outward from God. Ever since, we wrestle between living for our desires or responding to the Spirit’s leading. Even after coming to faith, old patterns and habits resist full surrender. So we regularly find ourselves torn, unsure whether to follow flesh or Spirit in any given moment. The apostle Paul vividly depicts this inner battle in Romans 7. Though desiring to obey God, he finds another law at work, waging conflict within. Thankfully, Romans 8 clarifies that through Christ we have been liberated from sin and death’s power. Yet the struggle persists daily as we resist temptation and choose righteousness instead.

Hymn:

The Flesh Lusteth Against the Spirit

1 Strange and mysterious is my life; What opposites I feel within! A stable peace, a constant strife; The rule of grace, the power of sin; Too often I am captive led, Yet often triumph in my Head.

2 I prize the privilege of prayer, But O what backwardness to pray! Though on the Lord I cast my care, I feel its burden every day; I’d seek his will in all I do, Yet find my own is working too.

3 I call the promises my own, And prize them more than mines of gold; Yet though their sweetness I have known, They leave me unimpressed and cold; One hour upon the truth I feed, The next I know not what I read.

4 Thus different powers within me strive, And grace and sin by turns prevail; I grieve, rejoice, decline, revive, And victory hangs in doubtful scale; But Jesus has his promise passed That grace shall overcome at last.

Lyrics: John Newton, Music: William B. Bradbury

Creative Activities: 1. Scripture Writing

scripture writing   Write out Galatians 5:16-17 in your best handwriting on the Scripture writing page which you can download below. Please download the Scripture Writing Page below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Scripture Writing Page

scripture writing printable day 14DOWNLOAD NOW

Creative Activities: 2. Bible Journaling

bible journaling

  • Reflect on where you see evidence of this struggle playing out in your own life. Which areas do you continually wrestle – pride, lust, greed, anger, comparison? Take time to confess these privately to God.
  • Read through the passages again slowly. Underline or highlight parts that stand out. Consider writing out key verses that speak to your situation. How does God’s truth apply?
  • Pray specifically for strength against temptation in your areas of weakness. Ask God to reveal any lies, thoughts or habits still holding dominion that need renewing. Invite His Spirit to transform and sanctify these places.
  • Write out a prayer surrendering these struggles fully to Him. Commit to cooperating with His work instead of giving in. Determine to walk by the Spirit daily.
  • Thank God for His victory over sin through Christ. Meditate on what this means for your ability to change. Declare scriptures of freedom and new life over areas bound.
  • Draw or journal any reflections, promises claimed or insights received during your time listening to God and reflecting on his Word. Renew your resolve to follow Jesus above all else.

Creative Activities: 3. Doodling

doodling

  As you reflect on the internal war between flesh and Spirit, use imagery and symbols to reflect various aspects:
  • Draw a figure wrestling or two forces pulling in opposite directions
  • Use slash marks, x’s or strike throughs to depict putting sinful thoughts/desires to death
  • Sketch a heart with God’s truths renewing old patterns of selfishness
  • Doodle vines, branches or ropes untangling and falling away to picture freedom
  • Scribble chaotic lines calming into waves as the Spirit brings peace
  • Sketch the cross, a throne or crown to represent Christ’s victory over sin
  • Scribble then erase sections to depict areas being sanctified and made new
  • Color, shade or highlight parts of images based on strength felt in different areas
  • Jot prayers, Bible verses or key phrases beside or within your doodles and sketches
Relax and let your mind wander as you draw. See what visuals come to express this battle and dependence on Christ for strength. There are no wrong answers – simply process before God.

Please download the Doodle Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only.

Commercial use not allowed.

Download Doodle Printable

doodle printable day 14DOWNLOAD NOW

Creative Activities: 4. Journaling

journaling

 

Reflect and Journal:

  • Reflect on where you have seen evidence of the internal battle between your selfish flesh and God’s sanctifying Spirit coming to the surface recently.
Please download the Journal Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Journal Printable

journal printable day 14DOWNLOAD NOW

Applying and Taking Action

applying and taking action

  How can you implement what you have learned from reflecting on the battle between flesh and Spirit? Consider these actions:
  • Prayer walking areas where you struggle, declaring truth over strongholds
  • Fasting from specific indulgences to weaken fleshly pulls
  • Memorizing empowering promises to recall when tempted
  • Accountability – sharing struggles with trusted friends for support
  • Daily time alone with God through His Word and in prayer
  • Identifying triggers for certain sins to avoid or respond to differently
  • Volunteering/serving others instead of nurturing selfish cravings
  • Cutting off entangling relationships/habits prolonging old mindsets
  • Filling your mind with things of God through worship music, sermons
  • Stepping out in faith to share your testimony with others
Reflect on steps of obedience the Spirit is calling you to that you can start today. Determine to walk fully by His power going forward rather than the selfish will of your flesh. Continually surrender control to your good, good Father.

Closing Prayer

closing prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this time of reflection on the ongoing battle within. Search our hearts and know our struggles, desires, and areas of both victory and defeat. Grant us wisdom and strength to continually choose obedience to Your Spirit.

As we go forward, be with us by Your empowering presence. Give grace to cooperate fully with Your sanctifying work. Where we are weak, increase Your strength within us. Where temptation lurks, provide a way of escape.

Help us stand firm against the schemes of the enemy meant to pull us from Your path. May we walk each moment by the Spirit rather than surrendering to the selfish demands of our flesh.

Fill us afresh now with hope in Christ’s victory over sin and death. Through Him, we have power to walk in newness of life. We praise You for Your great mercy and faithfulness even through our failures.

Our prayer is that the fruit of holiness would grow abundantly as we cling to You, our saving God. May You alone receive glory as You continue transforming us into the image of Your beloved Son. We ask this in His powerful name, Amen.

 

If you have been blessed by this Creative Lent Devotional, please share it with others. Many thanks. God bless you!

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