You Can’t Be a Warrior in the Spirit and Weak in the Flesh
Let’s be honest—too many of us are trying to fight spiritual battles with undisciplined lives. We’re asking God to give us victory over temptation, to strengthen our marriages, to guide our leadership—but we won’t get up early. We won’t fast. We won’t stop eating things that make us tired and lazy. We won’t train our bodies to serve instead of consume.
The hard truth is this:
YOU CAN’T BE A WARRIOR IN THE FLESH IF YOU ARE WEAK IN THE FLESH.
That doesn’t mean the flesh wins. It means the flesh must be TRAINED. CRUCIFIED Daily. DISCIPLINED. Brought UNDER SUBMISSION. If not, our prayers will rise out of lazy lips, and our spiritual fire will burn out under the weight of our own indulgence.
My Flesh Had a Grip on Me
There was a time when I begged God to use me. I wanted to lead. I wanted to teach. I wanted to walk in purpose. But I also wanted to sleep in. I wanted to eat whatever I felt like. I wanted comfort without cost. I didn’t realize my greatest enemy wasn’t Satan—it was my own lack of discipline.
I would read Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:27:
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
And I’d skip over it. I didn’t want to believe that the flesh could disqualify the calling. But it can.
God wasn’t holding out on me. I was just too comfortable to carry the cross.
The Lie of Spiritual-Superiority Without Physical-Discipline
We often think we can grow spiritually while neglecting the body—as if our minds and souls live on a separate track from our habits and health. But the Bible doesn’t separate them. Romans 12:1 says:
“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Our bodies—how we use them, train them, fuel them—are part of our spiritual worship. That means eating matters. Rest matters. Work matters. Laziness is sin. Gluttony is sin. Apathy is sin. And they all weaken us from the inside out.
Paul wasn’t just saying, “Love God with your heart.” Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Mark 12:30). That’s your whole being. Every arena.
Weak Flesh Breeds Temptation
Ever notice how easy it is to fall into sin when you’re tired, unmotivated, or unprepared?
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 26:41,
“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
If you want to win the spiritual war, you can’t neglect the condition of your flesh. You must steward it.
Flesh that is never denied will always desire. And when desire controls you, you’re not walking by the Spirit—you’re being led by the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17).
Training the Flesh for the Sake of the Spirit
The goal isn’t to worship the body—it’s to train the body to serve the Spirit.
Wake up early not because it’s impressive, but because you want to meet with God before the world meets you.
Fast not to look spiritual, but because it kills comfort and awakens hunger for the Holy.
Train your body not to impress others, but so you can live long enough and strong enough to serve with endurance.
1 Timothy 4:8 puts it like this:
“For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way…”
But don’t miss the beginning: bodily training is of some value. It’s not worthless. It’s a piece of the puzzle.
This Is Whole-Life Discipleship
Being a man of God isn’t just about Bible knowledge and spiritual talk. It’s about whole-life obedience.
You can’t keep asking God to give you a warrior’s anointing while living a weak man’s lifestyle.
Discipline your flesh so that your spirit can thrive.
Eat like a man who wants to live long enough to see his children’s children follow the Lord.
Sleep like a man who’s preparing for battle.
Work out like a man who’s ready to carry the weight of others’ burdens.
Fast like a man who’s saying no to the world and yes to the Father.
You’re Not Alone in This
You’re not expected to be perfect. You’re expected to be willing. God supplies the strength when you supply the surrender.
We are TEMPLES (1 Corinthians 6:19). Not amusement parks. Not rest stops. Not trash heaps. TEMPLES.
So let’s build strength not for the mirror—but for the mission.
Let’s put the flesh in submission, so the Spirit can lead.
Let’s rise as warriors—spirit, soul, and body—fit for the Kingdom.
Reflection Questions:
In what ways have you neglected your body and justified it spiritually?
Where do you need to introduce new discipline in your physical life to align with your spiritual calling?
What would it look like for you to become a whole-life steward—not just in word, but in your daily habits?
Action Step:
Start with one area this week—sleep, food, fitness, or fasting—and ask the Lord to help you discipline your flesh as an act of worship.
