Have you ever participated in a tug-of-war? As far as sports go, it’s all about a test of strength. The fortitude of the team you’re on determines whether you win or lose. The strong grip and steadfast grit from each participant is the momentous sway for the winning team.Like a physical tug-a-war that takes place between two opposing teams, a spiritual one takes place in believers’ lives. The difference is that the conflict takes place between our flesh and God’s Spirit within us. When we yield and live by way of God’s Holy Spirit, the flesh is crucified and loses its grip on the things that are not of God. On the contrary, every time we give in to our flesh and dabble in sins of darkness, such as those listed in Galatians 5:19-21, we’re pulled into the pit and realm of darkness and become captive to the enemy of our soul.The two fruits of the Holy Spirit that will help you overcome the desires of the flesh and instead live by way of the Spirit are the fruits of faithfulness and self-control. When you remain faithful to God and exercise the fruit of self-control, you keep in step with the Spirit and walk in perpetual freedom. Every time your soul—mind, will, and emotions—yields to the Spirit rather than giving sway to the flesh, you become spiritually stronger. Fasting and prayer helps you crucify the flesh and experience the fruit of living in freedom.