Overcoming The Desires of Our Flesh

“I’m not sure what gifts He has given you but I know you have many and I know if you use them to serve others you will be fulfilled like never before.”

“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Romans 13:14 (NIV)

Paul gives us guidelines in Romans to help Christians who are living in a fallen world. One of these guidelines is to “clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ”. Seems a little strange at first, right?

What does that mean? How do we do that?

What Paul is saying here is that we need to exemplify the qualities of Jesus. We need to spiritually clothe ourselves. Some qualities of Jesus that stick out to me the most are love, forgiveness, kindness, gentleness, patience, self-control – I could go on and on! If we spiritually clothe ourselves, that means turning away from the things that don’t truly gratify or fulfill us – the desires of our flesh.

Do you follow influencers on Instagram? Every time I’m scrolling, I’m reminded of the clothes I don’t have that I wish I did. I’m envious of “her” clothes and shoes, “her” hair and nails, “her” home and car. This prompts me to quickly swipe and buy whatever it is that will instantly gratify my flesh.

But honestly mom friend, am I ever truly fulfilled? No, I’m not, because you know what happens the next time I’m on Instagram? I swipe and buy, swipe and buy and the pattern continues. The real scary thing that is happening behind the scenes is my heart’s focus. When I’m consumed with self-gratification, that is my focus – me.

Paul invites us to be like Jesus and we can do that by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12). Rather than clothing ourselves with our desires, look in the mirror and think of the many gifts He has given you and how you can use them to serve others. I’m not sure what gifts He has given you but I know you have many and I know if you use them to serve others you will be fulfilled like never before.

Action Steps:

• How can you use what God has already given you to bless others today?

• Pray: Heavenly Father, I pray we would not be envious of what other moms have or what other moms are wearing but that we would put our old “clothes” to the side and put new spiritual clothes on. Please change our hearts to focus on You and You only. I pray the sinful desires of our flesh would quickly be overcome by the desire to be more like You. Amen.

Written by Rachel, mom of 2 boys, clothed in Jesus