Rising above the weakness of the flesh
Many believers are unaware that the weakness of the flesh is common among their brethren. They often overlook the fact that everyone in the flesh will experience its weaknesses. The strength of the Spirit in a believer does not exempt them from the weakness of the flesh, whether it is mental, physical, or social—it’s still weakness.
However, the strength of the Spirit working within you can transform your weaknesses into strengths. A heightened sensitivity to the Spirit should motivate you to harness this strength.
Jesus experienced weakness but was determined to rise above it. He relied on the power of the Spirit through prayer. When He found His disciples sleeping, He pointed out their failure to recognize both the weakness of the flesh and the strength of the Spirit.
Mark 14:32-38:
“Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.’ He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.’ Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’”
Everyone can experience weakness, but awareness of the Spirit’s strength helps prevent being overwhelmed by temptation. The weakness of the flesh can surround you like a serpent seeking to devour you. It can be a thorn in your side, but awareness of the Spirit’s strength can transform it into sustenance. Elijah, despite his human frailty, prayed and took control of the national course of Israel, leading to the restoration of true worship.
Prayer is the primary means through which the Spirit intervenes in difficult situations. It awakens the consciousness of the Spirit’s strength in you, overpowering weaknesses. Paul was directed in prayer to be sensitive to the Spirit’s strength within him.
Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
The Lord’s response to Paul was clear: focus on the strength of the Spirit within you. This strength is the solution to your weakness. Awareness of it exalts you above your weaknesses, turning them into strengths. By stirring your consciousness of the Spirit’s strength through prayer, you rise above any tide of weakness you may encounter.
Paul’s statement, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10), reflects this principle. The Greek word translated “take pleasure” is eudokeo, meaning “to think well of, approve, or take pleasure in.” It implies an affirmative attitude towards oneself in times of weakness. This is what prayer accomplishes for your infirmities.
In moments of weakness, such as tribulation, distress, nakedness, hunger, persecution, dangers, and violent attacks, prayer allows you to remain steadfast in the love of Christ.
Read Romans 8:35 (MSB):
“Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture.”
Nothing you face can undermine the strength of God within you, but if you do not activate this strength through prayer, you may succumb to the temptation and weakness of the flesh. Paul demonstrated a conscious connection to God’s mighty strength at work in him. You should strive to do the same through prayer.
Read Colossians 1:29 (KJV):
“Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”
The word “striving” here, translated from the Greek word agonizomai, means “to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or generally (to endeavor to accomplish something): – fight, labor fervently, strive.”
This word is also used to describe the labor of prayer in
Colossians 4:12:
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
This indicates that prayer connects you to the superhuman energy at work in you mightily. enabling you to rise above your weaknesses. Though your body is compared to an earthen vessel, the excellence of God’s power is evident through you.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7:
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
Pray for strength in your inner man always. Whenever you sense weakness of the flesh, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the strength that overcomes that weakness. This shows you are striving to manifest the supernatural ability of God at work in you. Gain superior ability by relying on the Spirit’s strength through prayer.
Read Ephesians 3:13-19:
“Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
I call you blessed.