What does it mean to die to the flesh?
To die to the flesh means to crucify the flesh. It means saying no to the desires of the flesh and yielding instead to the power of the Spirit. It is not a literal death, but a spiritual reality.
This concept comes from the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that just as Jesus was crucified, everyone who believes in Him has also died to the flesh and now lives by His Spirit. Jesus’ flesh was nailed to the cross, and in the same way, our sinful and carnal desires are to be put to death. (Romans 6)
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…” Galatians 2:20.
The moment you accepted Christ, your old man was crucified with Him. You received the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit, and now you are in Christ.
“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with…” Romans 6:6.
This means that the status of the believer is already crucified with Christ. We are not trying to die to the flesh because, spiritually, we are already dead to sin.
“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3.
This is why a genuine believer can no longer be fully comfortable living in sin. The things that once felt normal begin to trouble your spirit because that old nature was buried with Christ.
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24.
However, although our position in Christ is that we are crucified with Him, we are still living in this world and in this human body. Because of this, we must continually mortify the deeds of the flesh and daily choose the Spirit over the flesh.
“For if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13.
Anyone who consistently fellowships with God will begin to notice that worldly desires start losing their grip. Fleshly appetites begin to weaken because the more you yield to the Spirit, the more you walk in the reality of your crucified life in Christ.
“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16.
So, the focus is not merely on trying to die to self. The focus is on abiding in God. The more time you spend with Him, the weaker the flesh becomes and the stronger your spirit grows.
“Abide in Me, and I in you… for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5.
This is why constantly saying no to the flesh becomes difficult when there is little fellowship with God. Victory over the flesh is not sustained by human effort alone, but by intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
Christian to Christian!! How do I die to flesh?