The Stuttering Believer

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

I’ve been reflecting on my journey as a believer, and one thing I struggled to understand was why I continued to experience occasional fits of anger, impure thoughts about the opposite sex, and moments of envy and jealousy. It made very little sense to me. After becoming saved, I began to experience the transformation mentioned in Romans 12:2, which talks about the renewing of my mind. However, there were still times when I lost the battle with my flesh. I felt defeated and disappointed, as the last thing I wanted was to fail to live up to God’s expectations of me.

I understood what Paul meant in Romans 7: 15 where he says “ For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” I grew tired of having to repent for the same sins over and over again. I started to wonder If I was truly saved. The enemy was using my struggles with the flesh to make me doubt my position in the Kingdom. I would make promise after promise to myself that I would overcome these matters of the flesh, but inevitably, I would fall into one of my triggers. This would open the door to temptation, and before I knew it, I found myself wondering why my flesh had triumphed once again. This time, I felt so determined; what could have happened? I had no clue.

Before I accepted Christ, I spent over 40 years relying on my own strength to navigate life. During that time, I made countless inner vows, spoke countless curses over myself, and gave the enemy all the access he needed to keep me a slave to my flesh, living in perpetual sin. As a relatively new believer, I still had lingering tendencies from those years, but I knew I could only be renewed through the work that the Lord was doing in me. In Galatians 5:16-17, Paul says, “16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. ” 

This is the crux of the issue; flesh and Spirit are in conflict with each other. Being guided by one often leads to a desire to act contrary to the other. The key to losing these fleshly cravings, therefore, lies in being led by the Holy Spirit.In Galatians 5:22-23 Paul emphasizes the result of being Spirit led, “22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control….”. Paul drives this point home in Chapters 25-26 where he says “25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.“

Understanding that the battle between the flesh and the Spirit is ongoing brought me both clarity and comfort. As believers, our struggle isn’t a sign of failure; rather, it’s evidence of our new spiritual nature at war with our old, fleshly habits. Knowing this helps us shift perspective—from frustration to determination, from despair to hope. Our victory over the flesh isn’t achieved overnight. It’s a journey marked by daily surrender, ongoing repentance, and continualreliance on God’s grace. Each temptation we face provides an opportunity to reaffirm our dependence on the Holy Spirit rather than relying on self-effort. As Paul beautifully expresses in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” It’s through acknowledging our weaknesses that we invite God’s strength to prevail.

Simply put, overcoming the flesh involves actively engaging in spiritual disciplines. Spending regular time in Scripture, prayer, and worship keeps us spiritually alert and responsive to the Spirit’s guidance. The more we immerse ourselves in God’s truth, the more our minds align with His will, diminishing the strength of the flesh. Psalm 119:11 encourages this approach, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Additionally, accountability within a community of believers is invaluable. Openly sharing struggles and seeking prayer and support from mature believers can break the isolating grip of secret battles. James 5:16 reminds us, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” This mutual accountability fosters spiritual growth and reinforces our resolve to walk in the Spirit. Remember, God’s love and grace extend beyond our failures. Each time we stumble, the Father’s open arms welcome us back into fellowship with Him. Your struggles do not define your identity in Christ—He sees you as righteous because of Jesus. Embrace the journey, trust His process, and let the Holy Spirit continually transform you into the person God has called you to be.