The Way of Escape: Choosing the Voice God Over our Flesh

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation of the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24 (KJV)

God always provides a way of escape. No temptation, no struggle, no stronghold is so powerful that God has not already prepared a path to freedom. Yet, the enemy is cunning—he, too, provides a way. A counterfeit path. A road that appeals to the flesh, to comfort, to immediate gratification. And if we are not careful, if we are not discerning, that wrong way can feel like a blessing.

Too often, we convince ourselves that what satisfies our flesh must be from God. We choose the easy route, the comfortable way, the temporary relief—and we slap God’s name on it. But in doing so, we are training ourselves not to hear the voice of God. We are training ourselves to listen to our flesh, to heed the whispers of the enemy, rather than the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Renewing Our Minds: Breaking the Cycle

The Bible commands us to “put off” the old man—not just in action, but in conversation. That means the way we think, the way we reason, the internal dialogues we entertain. The enemy is subtle; he doesn’t just tempt us with sin—he tempts us with justifications for sin. He tempts us with thoughts that make compromise seem reasonable.

• “It’s not that bad…”

• “God understands my struggle…”

•“If He didn’t want this for me, He wouldn’t have allowed it…”

• “I feel happy, so this must be from Him…”

This is the “old man” talking—the fleshly mindset that we are called to put off. If we are not intentional, we will mistake these thoughts for God’s voice. But God does not contradict Himself. His Word is our measuring stick. If it doesn’t align with Scripture, if it gratifies the flesh while starving the spirit, if it leads to compromise rather than conviction—it is not from Him.

Taking Thoughts Captive: Shifting the Dialogue

Renewing the mind is not just about stopping ungodly thoughts. It is about starting a new dialogue—one where Christ is at the center.

1. Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Thought Life

Before making any decision, pause. Ask:

“Holy Spirit, is this from You?”

“Does this align with Your Word?”

“Will this draw me closer to God, or is it just feeding my flesh?”

The enemy rushes; God leads. The enemy pressures; God gives peace. The enemy entices with immediate gratification; God builds with lasting transformation.

2. Align Your Desires with the Word of God

Not everything that feels good is from God. Not every door that opens is His provision. The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”(Proverbs 14:12, NKJV). If the direction you feel led to take contradicts His Word, then no matter how good it seems, it is not a blessing—it is a deception.

3. Seek the Peace That Surpasses Understanding

When God is in something, there is a deep, abiding peace—not the kind that makes sense to the flesh, but the kind that steadies your soul in the storm. Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) tells us, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” If you have to manipulate circumstances, silence conviction, or ignore wise counsel to pursue something, it is not from God.

Training Our Trust in God

Every time we choose God’s way over the flesh, we strengthen our ability to hear His voice. We train our spirit to recognize His leading. We build trust—not just in what He says, but in who He is.

Change is uncomfortable. Stepping into the new creation God has called us to be requires faith. It requires silencing old conversations, rejecting old justifications, and surrendering to His will, even when it costs us our comfort. But the reward? A life that is truly led by the Holy Spirit. A life that walks in power, in clarity, in divine direction!

God is always speaking. The question is: Are we listening?

Today, choose to put off the old man. Choose to hear the voice of God. Choose the way of escape He has provided.

We must train our hearts to trust Him, our minds to follow Him, and our lives to glorify Him. The path may be narrow, but it leads to life—and that is a promise worth pursuing. Which I pray that you do, in Jesus mighty name, amen and amen!