Overcoming the Flesh: Walking in Covenant Victory
- Charles
- Aug 12
- 7 min read
The life of a priest in the New Covenant is marked by a continual war, not against flesh and blood in the sense of human enemies, but against the flesh in the Scriptural sense: the fallen nature that resists the will of YHWH. This battle is neither optional nor temporary; it is the lifelong proving ground of those called to reign with Messiah. The Royal Torah reveals the principles of victory, and the witness of the prophets and apostles confirms that overcoming the flesh is inseparable from covenant faithfulness.
The Nature of the Flesh
The word “flesh” in Scripture carries more than the meaning of physical body. It represents the human nature corrupted by sin, a nature inherited from Adam after his disobedience (Genesis 3:6–7). Paul defines this in Romans 7:18:
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.” (NKJV)
Here, “flesh” describes a disposition that inclines toward self-rule and resists submission to YHWH’s covenant order. It is the mindset that says, “I will decide for myself,” echoing the rebellion in Eden.
The Covenant Context of the Struggle
The war against the flesh is not merely personal morality, it is covenantal. The Royal Torah distinguishes between two ways:
The way of life — walking in obedience to the covenant voice of YHWH.
The way of death — exalting human will above divine command.
This was the test given to Adam, to Israel in the wilderness, and to every believer under the New Covenant. The flesh always pulls toward the second path, often disguising rebellion under the appearance of good intentions.
The prophetic word in Jeremiah 31:33, fulfilled in Messiah, promises that YHWH would write His Royal Torah on the hearts of His people. This inner inscription is opposed by the flesh, which clings to independence and resists the Ruach HaKodosh.
The Pattern in Royal Torah
The Royal Torah shows that those who would minister before YHWH must be separated from fleshly defilement. The priests of old were required to wash, to abstain from anything that rendered them unclean, and to keep the fire burning continually on the altar (Leviticus 6:12–13). These outward commands pointed to an inward reality: the priest’s mind and body must be yielded entirely to YHWH’s service.
In Messiah, these requirements are not abolished but fulfilled in their true form. The washing is the cleansing of the heart; the abstaining is the putting away of carnal desires; the perpetual fire is the Spirit-kindled zeal for holiness. The enemy of each is the flesh.
Messiah’s Victory Over the Flesh
Yeshua, the second Adam, entered this conflict as a man and overcame where the first Adam failed. In the wilderness, He was tempted in every area where the flesh is vulnerable:
The lust of the flesh — “Turn these stones into bread” (Matthew 4:3).
The lust of the eyes — “All the kingdoms of the world I will give You” (Matthew 4:8–9).
The pride of life — “Throw Yourself down… the angels will bear You up” (Matthew 4:6).
His victory came through unwavering submission to the written Word of YHWH, wielded in the power of the Ruach HaKodosh. In doing so, He demonstrated the pattern for all who follow Him: victory over the flesh comes by Spirit-empowered obedience to the Royal Torah.
The Flesh and the Spirit in Conflict
Paul’s words in Galatians 5:16–17 summarize the daily battle:
“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (NKJV)
This is not a balance to be negotiated, it is an irreconcilable opposition. The Ruach HaKodosh pulls the believer toward life; the flesh pulls toward death. One will rule, and the other will be subdued.
The works of the flesh are not merely actions but manifestations of a deeper nature: adultery, uncleanness, hatred, selfish ambitions, dissensions, and the like (Galatians 5:19–21). Paul warns that those who habitually practice such things “will not inherit the kingdom of Elohim.” This is covenantal exclusion language, the same standard that kept the unclean from the earthly sanctuary now keeps the flesh-driven from the heavenly one.
Crucifying the Flesh
Overcoming the flesh is not managing it, it is crucifying it. Galatians 5:24 states:
“And those who are Messiah’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (NKJV)
The imagery is deliberate. The crucifixion of the flesh is not painless; it is an execution. The process begins with a decisive act of surrender and continues as a daily putting to death of whatever resists YHWH’s will. This is the covenant act of self-denial that Yeshua spoke of in Luke 9:23:
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (NKJV)
The Role of the Ruach HaKodosh
The Ruach HaKodosh is not merely a helper in this process, The Spirit of the Holy One is the essential power by which it is accomplished. Paul affirms in Romans 8:13:
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (NKJV)
The Ruach exposes the works of the flesh, convicts the heart, and supplies the strength to obey. The Spirit does not negotiate with sin; Sin is revealed and the believer is empowered through the Power of the Spirit to overcome it. This is why grieving or quenching the Spirit is so deadly, it leaves the believer unarmed in the conflict.
Renewing the Mind
The battleground of the flesh is the mind. The outward acts of sin are the fruit of inward thoughts and desires. Paul writes in Romans 12:2:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (NKJV)
Renewal comes as the mind is saturated with the Word of YHWH, replacing fleshly reasoning with covenant truth. The Royal Torah becomes the pattern of thought, and the Ruach HaKodosh brings it to remembrance in the moment of decision.
Presenting the Body as an Offering
Overcoming the flesh is not only about resisting sin—it is about offering the whole self to YHWH. Romans 12:1 calls us to:
“…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to Elohim, which is your reasonable service.” (NKJV)
This language ties directly to priestly service. The body, once an instrument of sin, becomes an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:13). Every faculty, eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, is yielded to YHWH for His purposes.
The Hope of Resurrection
The struggle with the flesh is temporary. Paul comforts the believer with the promise that the mortal, corruptible body will be transformed:
“The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.” (1 Corinthians 15:42 NKJV)
The flesh as a nature will be finally and fully destroyed when the corruptible puts on incorruption. Until then, the believer fights not as one uncertain of the outcome, but as one assured of victory through Messiah.
Guarding Against Subtle Forms of the Flesh
The flesh is not always crude and obvious; it often dresses in religious clothing. Pride in spiritual gifts, dependence on human effort, or clinging to tradition over truth are all fleshly in nature. Yeshua’s sharpest rebukes were reserved for those who outwardly appeared righteous but inwardly were driven by self-glory (Matthew 23:27–28).
The covenant priest must therefore discern not only blatant sin but also hidden motives. The question is not merely, “Is this action wrong?” but, “Does this proceed from the Spirit or from the flesh?”
The Flesh and the Community
Overcoming the flesh is not a solitary pursuit. The New Covenant priesthood is a body, and the health of one member affects the whole. Paul warns in Galatians 5:15:
“But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (NKJV)
Strife, division, and envy are works of the flesh that can fracture covenant fellowship. The antidote is the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
Practical Steps for Overcoming the Flesh
Daily Surrender — Begin each day by yielding to the will of YHWH, acknowledging your dependence on the Ruach HaKodosh.
Scripture Saturation — Fill the mind with the Royal Torah and the witness of the prophets and apostles.
Prayerful Watchfulness — Ask the Ruach to reveal areas where the flesh is rising, and respond quickly in repentance.
Fellowship Accountability — Walk with others who will speak truth in love and call you to faithfulness.
Fasting and Discipline — Train the body to submit to the Spirit through intentional acts of self-denial.
The End of the Matter
Overcoming the flesh is the proving of covenant loyalty. It is the daily choice to align with the voice of YHWH against the pull of self-rule. It is the outworking of the promise that those who belong to Messiah will be conformed to His image.
The call is not to partial victory but to complete consecration. As Paul declares in 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24:
“Now may the Elohim of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Master Yeshua Messiah. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (NKJV)
Here lies the confidence of the covenant priest: the One who began the good work will bring it to completion, and the flesh will one day be no more.
Inductive Bible Study
Observation — What Does the Text Say?
According to Romans 7:18, what does Paul say about the nature of the flesh and its ability to do good?
In Matthew 4:1–11, what specific temptations did Yeshua face, and how did He overcome each one?
What does Galatians 5:16–17 reveal about the relationship between the flesh and the Ruach HaKodosh?
Interpretation — What Does It Mean?
Why is overcoming the flesh more than a moral effort and instead a covenant requirement?
What does it mean to “crucify” the flesh as described in Galatians 5:24?
How does the hope of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:42 strengthen our resolve in this struggle?
Application — How Should I Respond?
What is one area of your life where the pull of the flesh is strongest, and what Scripture will you stand on to fight it?
How can you invite the Ruach HaKodosh to actively expose and remove hidden works of the flesh?
This week, what is one practical way you will present your body as a “living sacrifice” in service to YHWH?
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Inductive Bible Study Worksheet
How to use it:
Begin with the Observation section; reflect on the biblical text.
Move to Interpretation, discerning deeper meaning and covenant implications.
Finish with Application, committing specific responses in your context.
Answer Key (Answers + Verse References Only)
How to use it:
After working through the questions, refer here for concise answers and accompanying Scripture references.
Perfect for leaders preparing for group discussions or self-verification.
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