A Kingdom Key Devotional by Bishop Thomas Wesley Weeks, Sr.

The Victory That Is Within

After we gain victory over our flesh, we must live this victory while we are yet in our flesh. Gaining victory over our flesh is not easy or quick. Matter of fact, it is a life-long endeavor. Every time we conquer an area of our life, we quickly discover areas that need to come under subjection to the Holy Spirit. However, as we bring unruly areas of our life into subjection the kingdom of God, we gain new territory, thereby gaining new life.

If you had a drinking problem when you were newly saved but have now rid yourself of this destructive behavior, you have opened the door to areas of your life previously closed because of your destructive, fleshly desire. Relationships that were impossible to form are now possible. You can now engage in those activities that needed your full attention. Responsibilities that you had no desire to carry are easily handled. It was the enemy within that had us bound, but thank God for Jesus who has given us the victory.

If we are ever going to gain the victory, it is through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through Him that salvation is given and will be through Him that our deliverance shall come. Romans 10:13 says, “for ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” If we can ever put our faith in Christ, we will see the desired change in our lives happen. Jesus says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” John 15:7 (NIV). Jesus, in the form of His words and the indwelling of the Spirit, lives within us. Should we not call on the greatest power in this world to do what needs to be done in us and for us?

The Apostle Paul is making this point in Romans 10:8-10 when he says:

“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

Your faith materializes with the word that is in your mouth. This word speaks both death and life; death to your flesh and life to your spirit. Your flesh must die while your spirit must live. Paul says to confess with your tongue that Jesus is Lord. The Bible teaches us that the tongue is the most unruly part of our body. When we can bring our tongue under subjection, we bring the rest of our body under subjection. Our body must be brought under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. How is this done? By confessing with the most unruly part of our body, the tongue, that Jesus is Lord. You then give Him the right to make changes in the way you think and desire. Everyday, submit your body to Him by confessing Him Lord. Paul states in Romans 12:1 and 2 ,

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

You present your body a living sacrifice when you confess that Jesus is Lord. Living sacrifice signifies the dying of the flesh. However, from this death springs life. Romans 10:9 says that God raised Jesus from the dead. Catch the significance of this: Jesus, who is God in flesh, the Son of God, is dead but is resurrected by God. God, speaking to Himself speaks life to that that is covered by flesh, and He gives it life. Are you ready to speak life to the you that has been dominated by flesh but that is now dead and is ready to be resurrected? Use the power of your tongue and speak to the issues in your life. There are some things that must die and there are some things that must live. Note the difference between the two and speak death or life. Next week we we’ll talk about knowing the difference between death and life!