I remember the day and the moment that we looked down at that wedding cake and picked up the knife.
Rom 8:12-13 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ESV
It’s impossible for the bride of Christ to truly mortify, to put to death, the deeds of the body, no matter how hard or how many times we try. It simply is not within our power to overcome our flesh in our own strength. There is only one way that can be accomplished.
It “is” within our power to submit to the Holy Spirit for His leading, guidance, and strength within us to put to death the deeds of the flesh. Victory only comes by the Him; the continual death of the flesh and continual life of the Spirit. He will do it all for us if we submit and allow Him the freedom to put the knife to the task.
Just like my bride put her hand on the knife to cut our wedding cake and I put my hand on hers, the process was accomplished by both of us. That’s how it works with the Spirit in doing away with the deeds of the flesh. The problem is that we so often don’t ask Him because we don’t want to deal with whatever He is calling our attention to. Pride can be a difficult wrestling match if we continue to fight it on our own.
As Jesus’ bride we need to look to our Bridegroom, trust Him and allow His Spirit to put His hand on ours as we “put to death the deeds of the body” … and live the life He has given us in Him.