We are spiritual beings living in fleshly bodies in this world. Like oil and water, spirit and flesh generally resist integration and are antagonistic toward one another. When our spirit joins together with the Holy Spirit, we desire to do God’s will and love Him with all our hearts, which in turn puts the desire to love others as we love ourselves. On the contrary, the mind of the flesh-our emotions and thoughts without the Holy Spirit’s filling- holds us back from the spiritual growth and victories we long to obtain as we attend life’s school on earth.

In Gethsemane, as Jesus Christ struggled with His flesh, He asked the Father to take the “cup of suffering” from Him. Nevertheless, He overcame the flesh by praying His thoughts and feelings to the heavenly Father. The cries that came out of Jesus’ heart to His Father brought the overcoming victory of “not what I will but Thy will be done.”

The disciples’ experience in the garden was quite the opposite. They too were struggling with the flesh manifesting itself through unbelief, confusion, doubt, anger, fear, frustration, sadness, and their desire to run, fight, and sleep. Jesus told them several times to watch and pray so they would be able to overcome, but they did not hear or listen. If they had prayed and shared their thoughts and feelings with the heavenly Father, they would have gained victory over their flesh and found the freedom to be able to do God’s will. Instead, they slept.

When we struggle with the works of the flesh in our lives (Galatians 5:19-21), let us take into account what Christ taught by word and example. Remember that we are spiritual beings connected with God, and because of this relationship, we can pour our hearts out to Him and find release and help in times of struggle and need.

“Keep awake and watch and pray[constantly], that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak: (Mark 14:38).