We are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:3

The one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:8

These are opposed to each other, so that you don't do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:17—18

The one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

We learn to be victorious by surrendering our lives completely to the Spirit of God, not by gritting our teeth and trying harder.

The Holy Spirit who resides in us supplies abundant power not only to recognize the right thing, but to do it!

Here's a rule of thumb for the thought life that will be a catalyst for victory in all parts of life: starve the flesh and feed the spirit.

But a heart that refuses to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit will not change, no matter how hard you pray.

Know that once we have received Jesus, we can't continue to live our old sinful lifestyle. Now that we have His Holy Spirit living in us, guiding us, and transforming us, we have no excuse.

During the first 14 of the 40 years Michael and I have been married, we experienced great strife and misery because we tried to do things in the flesh and not in the spirit.

1. List your own top three lust triggers. How can you avoid them? 2. What time of day or week are you most tempted by lust? What can you do to prepare for those times? 3. Which locations are the most tempting for you? How can you limit your time in those places? 4. What five little battles do you need to be fighting more faithfully? Describe in detail what it looks like for you to fight—and win—these battles.

We can't change by fancy methods. We can't change by mere willpower. But God's Spirit working in us can help us to "will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13).