Overcoming Flesh and Being More Spirit Led | S4 E55
In this episode of The Trailblazer Talks, Courtney delves into the themes of discipline, self-control, and the struggle between the flesh and the spirit. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of the flesh in our lives and how it can hinder our spiritual growth. Through scriptural references, she highlights the necessity of being spirit-led and the transformative power of fasting and prayer. Additionally, Courtney discusses the importance of building strong roots in faith to cultivate a disciplined and intentional life.
In a world that constantly caters to the flesh, how do we live by the Spirit instead? In this episode of The Trailblazer Talks, Courtney shares why lasting discipline begins with saying no to comfort-driven impulses and yes to spiritual alignment. From fasting and small daily choices to building a firm foundation in God’s Word, you’ll learn how to anchor your habits in truth. If you’re craving a deeper, Spirit-led life, this conversation will meet you right where you are.
What you can learn in today’s episode:
How Romans 8 defines the difference between living by the flesh vs. the Spirit
What it really means to “die to self” as a Christian
How fasting helps reorder our desires and quiet the noise
Why learning to say no to impulse is an act of love for your future self
The connection between self-control and building a firm spiritual foundation
This solo episode is an invitation to trade chaos for peace, and comfort for clarity. Courtney walks us through practical ways to deny the flesh and stay anchored in truth.
Episode Blog:
Living by the Spirit in a World That Follows the Flesh
We live in a world that constantly tells us to follow our feelings, give in to impulse, and seek comfort whenever we’re stressed or overwhelmed. Whether it’s the scroll of social media, another Amazon purchase, or that “I deserve it” sweet treat, our culture makes it easy to say yes to the flesh without even realizing it.
But Scripture calls us to something higher.
In this week’s episode of The Trailblazer Talks, I’m continuing our series on discipline, intentionality, and self-control by digging into a foundational truth: we cannot live a Spirit-led life if we are constantly following the flesh.
Let’s talk about what that looks like, why it matters, and how we can start realigning our hearts and habits with God.
What Scripture Says About the Flesh
Romans 8 gives us a clear picture of the battle between the flesh and the Spirit. It tells us that those who live by the flesh are driven by its desires, but those who live by the Spirit experience life and peace. It’s not just about behavior. It’s about what rules your life.
As believers, we are called to live by the Spirit of God. This sets us apart. The difference between belief and surrender is this: even Satan believes in God. What separates us as followers of Jesus is that we choose to let Him be Lord of our lives.
Living by the Spirit requires us to recognize that we are made of both body and spirit. And if we don’t intentionally submit our desires to the Lord, our flesh will take the lead.
Why Saying No to the Flesh Builds Lasting Discipline
Here’s the connection to discipline: if your flesh is leading, consistency will be nearly impossible.
The flesh wants comfort. It wants to avoid pain. It wants what feels good in the moment, even if it sabotages your future. When we’re led by our feelings, we are reactive. But when we’re led by the Spirit, we become rooted. We gain clarity. We grow in strength.
Discipline is not about white-knuckling your way through goals. It’s about partnering with the Holy Spirit to train your heart and habits toward what is good, eternal, and life-giving.
And that kind of discipline starts with saying no to the flesh.
Three Ways to Deny the Flesh and Follow the Spirit
1. Practice Fasting and Prayer
Fasting is one of the clearest ways to say no to your flesh and yes to God. When we fast, we intentionally withhold from something—usually food or comfort—so we can lean in more closely to the Lord.
Whether it’s a full fast, a partial fast (like the Daniel Fast), or a sun-up to sun-down rhythm, the goal is the same: to quiet the flesh and seek the Spirit. When we fast and pray, we create space for clarity, surrender, and deeper spiritual insight.
If fasting is new to you, talk with someone at your church or study the biblical examples of fasting. It’s not about performance. It’s about submission.
2. Say No More Often
Little decisions add up. Whether it’s the extra item in your cart or the fifth scroll break of the morning, these small choices shape your life.
We often justify impulse decisions with phrases like, “I deserve this” or “It’s just a little treat.” But when that pattern repeats, it chips away at the long-term life we’re trying to build.
Saying no to your flesh isn’t about being rigid. It’s about being wise. If you can pause long enough to ask yourself why you’re reaching for that thing, you can learn to respond with intention instead of reaction.
3. Build a Firm Spiritual Foundation
The strongest antidote to flesh-led living is a firm foundation in Christ.
This means being rooted in the Word, connected to biblical community, and clear on who God is and who you are in Him. When you know God’s character, and you know what He says about you, it becomes easier to spot the counterfeit lies of the world.
Building that foundation takes time. It takes study, conversation, accountability, and prayer. But it’s worth it. Because when storms come (and they will), your roots will hold.
Subscribe to the show wherever you listen! Connect with me on Instagram at @courthopejones.
