Like Jesus, Paul knew what was the right thing to do, but his flesh was weak. As we rid ourselves of the old nature, God replaces the void with the mind, thinking, and behavior of Christ. He knew what pain and suffering He was going to go through. Everyday we make choices about which spirit will be in control. I tried to quit, I wanted to quit, but I inevitably did the wrong thing. I’d love for you to be the next success story! Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. They want Him to come into their inside world and clean out the red light district but leave the movie houses, gambling halls, and comedy clubs. “The Spirit is Willing, But the Flesh is Weak” We all face the struggle of dealing with our flesh. We all face the struggle of dealing with our flesh. We look forward to sending you encouragement, updates, and testimonies in your inbox! For the man struggling with the powerful pull of sexual temptation, the conflict between the flesh and spirit becomes an even more relevant issue in life. Yet, being fully human, He was distressed over what was going to happen. To pray, pray for, offer prayer. Before long, this man will come to know what it means to become a mature saint: to truly walk in the Spirit. I’ve discovered that every battle with porn shares the same few threads that, once unraveled, release you from the chains of addiction. The spirit indeed is willing.--Better, ready, or eager. indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. The, the definite article. A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Only through His forgiveness can we find redemption. That is why we needed Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. 21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. After telling his readers to walk in the Spirit, Paul goes on to say, “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” (Galatians 5:17) In this verse, we see the daily battle raging inside every believer who wants to please God and yet finds that part of him simply wants to indulge in pleasure and sin. ( Log Out /  Watch. 25 Thank God! Paul said, I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 NKJV). On the night he was betrayed, Jesus and his disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. Undoubtedly, the time will come again where you will be faced with a situation where your “spirit is willing but your flesh is weak.” Your flesh will want to look at porn, masturbate, or engage in some sinful activity that you know is wrong. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you don't enter (Matt. The Apostle Paul felt the same way about sin. Strengthless. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Herein is the key to overcoming life-dominating habits: to walk in the Spirit. Given the choice, our flesh will choose sin every time. I knew what I needed to do. Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He was overcome with grief knowing what He had to go through in the next few hours. The sin living within us is why we can’t break free from addiction. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. He grows into the likeness of Christ only by daily cooperating with God’s work in his inner man. Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. This process takes time and requires the believer to diligently cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. The fact that the flesh is a natural ally to temptation makes spiritual alertness all the more important. From peirazo; a putting to proof (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity.