Want To Conquer Your Flesh-Driven, Destructive Desires In 15 Minutes or Less? (Do This Daily)
Exercise.
Many diverse words probably pop into your head when you think about it.
Fatigue. Strength. Pain. Growth. Discomfort. And if you’re like me, fun.
However, I’ve just created a new definition of exercise that goes MUCH deeper than that:
Exercise: The strategic, physical submission of your earthly flesh and desires to the Spirit of God.
The lust of the eyes. Jealousy. Anger. Envy. Drunkenness, Rivalries and divisions. These are only a few of the various destructive, flesh-driven desires which separate us from God.
They distract us from our higher purpose. They harm our personal relationships. They weaken our individual impact as parents, grandparents, spouses, and friends.
Exercise is a blessing — a tool given by God — you can use to fight against these desires.
When applied at the appropriate intensity, exercise temporarily beats your flesh into submission.
It diminishes the roaring chatter of the flesh so you can more clearly hear the subtle, yet powerful voice emanating from the Spirit of God.
No, you don’t need to torture yourself. Or throw up in a bucket in the corner. Or pass out from exhaustion.
But you MUST push yourself OUTSIDE of your comfort zone.
Once you leave this familiar territory, it’s not only physical growth you will experience. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
This is where spiritual growth can happen too.
You can run. Lift weights. Use bodyweight exercises. Walk. Whatever best fits your personality, age and physical condition. And you can do it in 15 minutes or less each day.
Then, with every single rep, every single step, every single labored breath, you are saying to Satan:
“Flee from me!”
This is why Jesus fasted on a regular basis, including his famous 40 days in the wilderness.
He was submitting His new-found flesh to the will and Spirit of His Father.
I now consider exercise as a type of fasting. Yet, instead of abstaining from food, you abstain from other physical necessities, such as bodily comfort and breathing (even if it’s just for a few tough minutes).
Why is submission of the flesh SO important?
Because whether you believe in God or not, there is one universal truth which is very difficult to deny:
If you have even ONE desire in your life to which you cannot say “no”, then you are its prisoner. Held in captivity. Orange jumpsuit and all.
You may think or feel you are free, but you are not.
Nowadays, many people believe they are truly free when they just do whatever they want, wherever their feelings take them. Just “follow your heart” they say.
However, this is NOT true freedom. It’s the exact opposite.
Because if you’re really honest with yourself, I’m confident you will discover at least ONE desire you cannot stop on your own. No matter how hard you try, it’s impossible. You really don’t have control.
This is where God can intervene and do His best work in your life, if you let Him. He gives us the free will and choice to decide.
Truth is, even for people who do believe, it’s sometimes difficult to hear His directing and comforting words.
We allow the various distractions of earthly life — especially the desires of our flesh — to drown out His voice. The only voice that matters.
I’m guilty too. On many occasions, I have paid more attention to the tempting siren call of business success (and the associated anxiety) than to the flawless, compassionate, wise words of my Savior.
So Thank God He has given us exercise, as one physical tool of many, to beat back our flesh. To hear Him more clearly. To no longer be slaves to our desires, but to be masters OVER them.
THAT is true freedom.
Now hopefully, you have a whole new sense of meaning and purpose for your workouts — even on those days when you don’t feel like getting out of bed.
Now get up, and get moving.
Note: Today’s message is sponsored by Ryan’s “Legs Day” workout. It’s the roughest, toughest day that brings him the closest to God.
