³⁸ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38 NKJV)

Indeed there is a constant battle between our spirit and our flesh. We tend to think about the flesh being weak regarding sexual temptation, however, it goes much further than that. God is drawing a distinction between our human nature (the flesh) and our divine nature (the spirit). We struggle with so many things that are fleshly in nature. We are given to these things because it is sin trying to work its way with us.

This is not to say that some may have such control over their flesh that they can keep their human nature in check. However, that is rare. While we are on this earth our desires will tend toward the human side of our nature. This is why we must, through prayer and supplication, condition our flesh to much like a top athlete conditions their body. We must bring it into submission and take care daily as to its training.

Reflect on: How you use the spirit to condition the flesh.