“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” — Galatians 5:24–25
When we hear the word crucify, our minds immediately go to Jesus and the cross. Crucifixion meant putting something to death. So what does Paul mean when he tells us that those who belong to Jesus have “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”?
He certainly isn’t talking about physically harming ourselves. He is talking about putting to death the control our sinful desires once had over us.
In simple words, crucifying the flesh means:
“I am no longer going to let my sinful desires be in charge of me.”
Notice that Paul doesn’t say Christians will never again experience wrong desires, thoughts, attitudes, or temptations. We certainly do! But because we belong to Christ, those things no longer have the right to rule us.
The flesh says, “Do what feels good to you.”
The Spirit says, “Do what pleases God.”
And every day we get opportunities to decide which voice we are going to follow.
Maybe the thing we need to crucify isn’t something everyone else can see.
Maybe it’s resentment.
Pride.
Jealousy.
Unforgiveness.
The need to always be right.
Gossip.
Selfishness.
Anger.
The desire for approval.
Or maybe it’s simply wanting our way instead of God’s way.
Crucifying the flesh means bringing that thing to Jesus and saying:
“Lord, this desire doesn’t get the final word in my life anymore. You do.”
But here’s the beautiful part: God doesn’t simply ask us to say NO to the flesh. He gives us Someone to say YES to—the Holy Spirit.
That’s why the very next verse says:
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
We don’t overcome the flesh merely by trying harder. We learn to walk with the Holy Spirit—one decision, one response, one surrendered moment at a time.
So perhaps today we need to ask ourselves a very personal question:
What do I need to crucify?
What keeps trying to climb back onto the throne of my heart?
What am I allowing to control my thoughts, words, attitudes, or actions that Jesus died to free me from?
Whatever God brings to mind, we can bring it to the cross.
And tomorrow, if it tries to rise again?
Take it back to the cross again.
Because crucifying the flesh isn’t about becoming perfect overnight. It’s about continually choosing who gets to be Lord of our lives.
Today, let’s tell Jesus:
“My flesh doesn’t get to lead me. My feelings don’t get to rule me. My desires don’t get the final word. I belong to You. Holy Spirit, help me keep in step with You today.”
HEART CHECK 
What is one thing in my life that I know the Holy Spirit has been asking me to surrender?
Today, instead of feeding it, defending it, or making excuses for it, let’s crucify it—and follow Jesus instead.
PRAYER
Father, show me anything in my heart that I have allowed to have authority that belongs only to You. Give me the courage to crucify the desires of my flesh and the sensitivity to recognize the voice of Your Spirit. Teach me to keep in step with You—not just when it’s easy, but especially when my flesh wants something different. Jesus, You are Lord of my life. Help me live like it today. In your name Jesus we pray, amen.
