If you’ve been following me on Instagram lately, you will know that I have been doing a 30-day physical, mental and spiritual detox to kick-start the new year.
To say that it has been a little challenging would be an understatement. It involved cutting out a lot of things most people eat every day, like gluten, dairy, coffee, alcohol, and even using the microwave, and focused on fueling your body with different fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains that would flush out whatever system you were detoxing that week.
It was really interesting to learn about the different body systems and what foods specifically affect it and it definitely was eye-opening to see how many “short-cuts” or convenience items I had grown accustomed to (even if they were considered “healthy”).
How Much Do We Indulge Our Flesh?
One of the biggest take-aways I had from the entire month-long experience is how to deny your flesh. This is a phrase used often in scripture to steer Christians away from the things of the world or of their former life and toward their new life.
If you’ve been a Christian for awhile, denying your flesh may not seem like something you struggle with or really regard much anymore because as long as you stay away from the big “no-nos” you probably think you’re fine.
But did you ever consider eating that poptart for breakfast instead of a bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruit as indulging your flesh? What about that extra dessert or skipping your workout class because you were too tired?
Now, don’t take this to the extreme and assume I mean that you should never eat dessert again or you should always start your day with green juice, but if you’re anything like me, my all-or-nothing mentality can turn a little into a lot real quick.
When you really stop and think about how many times a day you indulge your flesh, just in regards to food, it really is shocking! Just start with what you eat for your three meals, were they healthy? Convenient? Fast food?
What about snacks? Were they healthy options that would fuel your body well or whatever you were feeling in the moment? Drinks? Was it good for your body to have that third or fourth cup of coffee this afternoon with lots of sugar and fake cream?
Like I said, when you stop to think about it, it really adds up, and I didn’t even mention the other aspects of your day, like making time to move your body, or whether what you’re watching on tv is good for you or your time on social media.
So much of our world really revolves around our flesh and satisfying those little desires all day long.
What if we used those as opportunities to practice self-control for when it really matters?
What if instead of having a donut at the drive through in the morning, we made breakfast at home that was healthy, and cost less than what we would’ve spent anyways? What if through that one small change, we began to learn self-discipline and denying our desires in the moment?
What if we started making lots of little changes like that every day and eventually, our lives looked a whole lot healthier than they do now? What if that made us feel better and act differently towards those around us?
More importantly, what if it better equipped us to do His ministry?
What if we applied what we learned about preparing our meals ahead of time to taking time to prepare our hearts for the day? What if we feel so much better that we start going out of our way to improve the lives of others and create connection and love where there used to be separation and loneliness? Do you see the trickle effect these small changes can have on our lives?
What about fear or feelings?
What if you could take that same principle of denying flesh that you practiced when you ate a healthy snack over the brownie and learned to apply it to denying your fear or feelings that can’t be trusted?
Galatians 5 talks about how the flesh and the Spirit are always in conflict and you are always being led by one of them.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19-21 nkjv
These things don’t necessarily happen overnight, though. It’s a slow fade to go from what looks like an innocent life on the outside, to doing some of these things that seem terrible, because of the tiny, everyday decisions we make all the time. When we choose to do the right thing in these simple decisions of life, it makes us more resilient to make them when it comes to more serious things.
Galatians 5 goes on to say in verse 22:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:22-25 nkjv
Learning to be ok with not getting what you want in the moment is a powerful lesson to learn and it can have trickle effects on all areas of your life, including your health, your finances, and even your relationships. It really goes back to denying yourself and taking up your cross every day, regardless of what that looks like for you. It echos into loving sacrificially, caring for people and being the hands and feet of Jesus. It’s really amazing what one little decision can do.
