(Based on a message by Derek Prince)
There’s something every believer needs to understand clearly:
You have to know what you’re dealing with —
because the remedies are completely different.
There are two battles going on inside of us:
-
The flesh (your old carnal nature)
-
Demons (evil spirits)
Let’s break this down:
1. The Flesh — Your Old Nature
Every one of us inherited a sinful nature from Adam.
Here’s why:
Adam didn’t have any kids until after he rebelled against God.
So every descendant of Adam (that’s all of us)
was born with the nature of a rebel.
The Bible calls this the old man or the flesh.
It’s that pull inside you that wants to do wrong,
even when you know what’s right.
What’s the remedy for the flesh?
Crucify it.
Galatians 5:24 — “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
2. Evil Spirits — Demons
On top of the flesh, we also deal with evil spirits.
These are not just habits or tendencies.
They are actual persons without bodies,
trying to influence and control you.
What’s the remedy for demons?
Cast them out.
Mark 16:17 — “In My name they will cast out demons.”
Now — here’s why this matters:
If you confuse the two, you’ll fight the wrong way.
Derek Prince shared from experience:
He had been battling a spirit of heaviness (depression).
But he tried to handle it like it was the flesh —
He prayed, fasted, tried to crucify it, but nothing worked.
Because you can’t crucify a demon,
just like you can’t cast out the flesh.
You need to know what you’re dealing with.
If it’s the flesh — crucify it.
If it’s a demon — cast it out in Jesus’ name.
This is just a glimpse of what Derek Prince taught on this subject — make sure to check out the full video this blog is based on. It will help you go even deeper and recognize what’s really going on in your life. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zRmOF6F8EfQ