5 Key Steps to Overcoming the Flesh Through Prayer (Genesis 6:3)
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“My spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh; his days shall be a hundred and twenty years” (Genesis 6:3, KJV)
This verse points to the inherent weakness of the flesh. Before the fall, God created humanity with a perfect balance of body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). However, after the fall, this harmony was disrupted, leading to a life dominated by fleshly desires. This imbalance is the root of many spiritual struggles, and overcoming them requires a deliberate and prayerful approach. Let us explore five key steps to overcoming the flesh through prayer for “men ought always to pray and not faint” (Luke 18:1).
Step One: Quench Panting Soul
The flesh, in its fallen state, damages the soul and spirit, leading to two distinct spiritual conditions: the panting of the soul and the groaning of the spirit. Psalm 42:1 vividly describes the condition of the soul, saying, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” The imagery of a panting deer reveals a soul that is weary and desperate for refreshment.
Just as a deer pants due to thirst or the need to regulate its body temperature after fleeing from danger, our souls pant when they are disconnected from the life-giving presence of God. The panting soul is a sign of spiritual dehydration. In the hustle of life, we often find ourselves spiritually exhausted, longing for the refreshing presence of God. This condition calls for earnest prayer, seeking the breath of God to restore and revitalize our weary souls.
Step Two: Attend to the Groaning of the Spirit
Romans 8:20-22 provides insight into the groaning of the spirit: “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” This groaning reflects the deep longing of the spirit for liberation from the corruption of the flesh and the world.
The spirit groans, and broods (Genesis 1:2) and travails as a woman in labor (Isaiah 66:8) under the weight of a fallen world and the bondage of the flesh. It yearns for the redemption and renewal that comes through Christ. This groaning is a call to believers to engage in prayer that seeks the transformation of the spirit, aligning it with God’s will and purposes. Through prayer, the spirit finds its strength and freedom from the flesh’s corruption.
Step Three: Seek the Breath of God
The solution to both the panting soul and the groaning spirit is the breath of God. The first breath is the breath of like described in Genesis 2:7, “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” This breath of life signifies the initial impartation of God’s life-giving spirit into humanity. It is the breath that animates and sustains the life of the soul.
The second breath is the breath of the Holy Ghost described in John 20:21-22, “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that, he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.'” This second breath represents the impartation of the Holy Spirit, empowering the disciples to overcome their weaknesses and fulfill their divine mission.
The opposite of prayer is not prayerlessness but fainting—life is spiritual, and prayer is like inhaling and exhaling (Luke 18:1). If you refuse to inhale and exhale, you will spiritually suffocate, just as physical life would cease without breathing. This concept is vividly illustrated in Lamentations 3:56, where prayer is called breathing—” Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.” (KJV)
Step Four: Engage in Persistent Prayer
Persistent prayer is crucial in the battle against the flesh. The disciples’ experience in the Garden of Gethsemane highlights the importance of prayer in overcoming weakness. In Matthew 26:40-41, Jesus found His disciples sleeping and said, “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Persistent prayer strengthens the spirit and subdues the flesh. It is through continual communion with God that we receive the grace and strength needed to resist fleshly temptations. Just as the disciples were empowered in the upper room after receiving the Holy Spirit, we too can be empowered through persistent prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Step Five: Pray for Grace and Strength
Finally, overcoming the flesh requires praying for grace and strength. Grace is the unmerited favor of God that empowers us to live according to His will. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God assures Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This grace is available to all believers who seek it through prayer.
Prayer for strength involves acknowledging our dependence on God. Isaiah 40:29-31 reminds us, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Through prayer, we tap into the divine strength that enables us to overcome the flesh.
In conclusion, Genesis 6:3 reminds us of the limitations of the flesh, but through prayer, we can access the unlimited power of the Spirit. Overcoming the flesh is a spiritual journey that requires intentionality and persistent prayer. Let us commit to these steps and embrace the transformative power of prayer in overcoming the flesh.
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