Galatians 5:17

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.

• Flesh
• Spirit
• Struggle
• Obedience
• Sin

Have you met people with multiple personality disorders like the story character Jekyll and Hyde? Two splitting personality types in one person struggling for outward expression and thereby confusing others. This description is typical of the ongoing struggle within a man. This tug of war seems to have always existed right from the beginning of human existence, it is a struggle for the soul of man between God and our flesh.
The weakness of man's flesh by his sinful nature has made it impossible for him to know and do right according to God’s standards. Man became subject to gratifying his sinful cravings and desires at all costs at the expense of his spiritual nature. The devil takes advantage of the desires of man's flesh to keep him under the dominion of sin. When one gives his life to Christ, the Spirit of God takes charge of his spirit. However, because the flesh cannot do God's will, man has to consciously subdue the motions of the flesh if he is to express the new life of Christ which he has accepted. Because the devil does not let his captives go easily, the struggle to win back the soul and cause him to sin taking advantage of the desires of his flesh begins. Man is between two influences and he must consciously decide who he wants to serve - his flesh or God.
This struggle is ongoing in the soul of every genuine believer- in order to overcome continuously, one must learn to resist the temptation of giving into our sinful cravings and renew one's mind through the power of God's word and by submitting to the instructions of the Spirit.

• sexual sin

• Prayer for Strength and Encouragement

• commandment