Devotional Message

Paul declares a past-tense reality for those in Christ: “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Not “should crucify” or “will eventually crucify” but already done—a completed act that happened when you aligned yourself with Christ’s death and resurrection. The flesh here isn’t your physical body but the ego-driven self that operates from fear, control, self-protection, the part of you that insists on its own way and resists divine direction.

This crucifixion isn’t metaphor but spiritual reality. When you belong to Christ, the old way of living—dominated by ego’s passions and desires, driven by what you want rather than what God wills—has been put to death. Not improved or managed but executed. This sounds harsh until you recognize what’s being crucified: not your truest self but the false self that’s been running your life, the ego that’s kept you small and stuck and separated from divine presence.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” moves from declaration to invitation. Because the flesh is crucified and the Spirit gives you life, your work now is alignment—learning to keep in step with divine rhythm rather than forcing your own pace. This keeping in step suggests attentiveness, responsiveness, the willingness to move when the Spirit moves and rest when the Spirit rests. It’s the daily practice of checking: am I operating from crucified flesh or living Spirit, from ego control or divine guidance, from self-will or surrender?

Let’s Pray

Christ, help me live from the reality that my flesh has been crucified with its ego-driven passions and desires. Teach me to keep in step with Your Spirit—to move when You move, rest when You rest, align my rhythm with Yours. When I’m tempted to operate from self-will and control, remind me that the old way is dead and I now live by Your Spirit. Amen.

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