Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

We all carry two sides within us—the strong, disciplined, faith-filled version and the weak, insecure, compromising one. The version that stands in confidence and the one that crumbles under pressure. The Bible describes this as the struggle between the flesh and the spirit.

Even as believers, loving God and striving to live right, the old nature doesn’t simply vanish. It lurks beneath the surface, ready to rise when provoked. Look at Peter—one of Jesus’ most devoted disciples. One moment, he was boldly defending Christ; the next, he was cursing and denying Him. How could the same man be so strong and so weak? Because the battle between the old and new man is real.

When we come to Christ, we are made new—”Old things have passed away” (2 Corinthians 5:17). But the old man doesn’t go down without a fight. If we’re not intentional, he will keep resurfacing. Romans 8 warns us: “If you live according to the flesh, you will die.” That doesn’t just mean physical death—it means our dreams, relationships, and purpose can be choked out by our old nature if we keep feeding it.

This is why discipline matters. “Mortifying the flesh” means keeping it buried—refusing to let it control us. It’s not always easy. It means walking away from an insult when you’d rather respond, choosing integrity when compromise is tempting, studying when you’d rather relax. But it’s in those difficult moments that we grow.

Some people remain stuck—not because they lack talent or favor, but because they keep reviving the old man. Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). Even he had to fight the flesh every single day. If we want to step into our calling, we must do the same. Every time we give in to impatience, bitterness, or indulgence, we strengthen the old man. But every time we resist, we grow stronger in the Spirit.

David’s story with Nabal illustrates this well. After David and his men protected Nabal’s property, Nabal repaid him with insult. Furious, David prepared for revenge—until Abigail intervened, preventing him from making a rash decision. Nabal, in this story, represents the old man—hot-tempered, prideful, and reckless. And just as Nabal eventually died, so must our old nature if we want to fully embrace who God has called us to be.

But here’s the truth: the old man won’t go down easily. Some battles are quick—like David defeating Goliath. Others, like David’s struggle with Saul, drag on for years. Goliath was a momentary victory; Saul was a relentless thorn in his side. Likewise, some struggles in our lives don’t disappear overnight. Whether it’s anger, insecurity, or fear, God gives us grace not just to win in a moment, but to endure over time.

This journey isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about discipline. We often want a quick fix, but real transformation happens through daily, intentional choices. Jacob wrestled with God and was renamed Israel, yet his old nature still resurfaced throughout his life. Our transformation is a process. Even when we stumble, we must remember who we are: redeemed, free, and victorious.

The refining process isn’t comfortable, but it’s necessary. Like wheat on the threshing floor, we are being shaped into the image of Christ. Peter, despite his failures, became the leader of the early church because he refused to stay down. You may have stumbled, but that doesn’t define you. Today, you can draw a line in the sand. Choose to let the old man stay buried. Choose to walk in the new life God has for you.

The battle is real, but so is the victory. You are redeemed. You are free. You are called to something greater. Keep resisting the flesh, keep choosing the right path, and watch as God leads you into the fullness of your destiny.

I pray this encourages you today—stay strong, stay disciplined, and walk in the newness of life!