One morning, I woke up with an unusual craving; I wanted coffee. Not just any coffee, but one from a well-known brand. The urge felt so strong it seemed I wouldn’t have peace until I had it.

I was ready to go get it when I realized what was happening. My flesh was crying out; loudly; demanding to be satisfied. It wasn’t about coffee anymore; it was about control.

That moment became a mirror.

I saw how often this same battle plays out in different areas of life; the fight between flesh and Spirit. The flesh insists, “You need this!” or “You’ll miss out if you don’t!” But the Spirit gently whispers, “You already have everything you need in Me.”

Victory begins with recognizing the voice that’s speaking.

I’m not even a big coffee drinker. Yet the moment I sensed the Holy Spirit saying no, that “no” awakened a stronger craving. Isn’t that what happens to us? As soon as we’re advised to stop, reduce, or avoid something; even something we don’t usually want; our flesh suddenly desires it intensely.

It’s not about the thing itself. It’s about the battle for authority. The flesh doesn’t want to lose its grip.

Even good things; success, comfort, approval; can become tools of the flesh when they compete with God’s will. What seems harmless can become sin if it takes the driver’s seat.

God doesn’t aim to deprive us but to protect us, to lead us into freedom where joy isn’t tied to external satisfaction.

That morning, I didn’t buy the coffee. Instead, I reminded my flesh: “You don’t lead me, the Spirit does.” And with that decision came peace.

• Pause and name the desire.
• Ask, “Who’s leading, flesh or Spirit?”
• Choose the ways of the Spirit with a small, concrete “yes” to God and "no" to your flesh.

Small choices train the heart for larger battles.