5:24-26 What does it mean to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts?
5:24-26 What does it mean to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts?
It means to bring our bodies under subjection to God's will; to not yield to fleshly desires.
This can only be done under the empowering of the Holy Spirit (cp V16). One must be completely yielded to the Holy Spirit for this to be accomplished (cp V25 with Ro 8:12-14; 1Cor 9:24-27).
Under the spirit's empowering Paul was able to discipline his bodily impulses to such an extent that he no longer yielded to them, lest in so doing he forfeited his place in heaven.
To walk in the Spirit means simply to live according to God's word. If we order our manner of life according to God's word, we are walking in the spirit and will not yield to fleshly desires (cp Mk 7:14-16; Ro 8:5-11; Ga 5:17; Eph 4:20-32; Col 3:1-11).