Live No Lies by John Mark Comer
Week 5: Chapter 6 — The Practices of the Flesh (Fighting Desire with Desire)
Read Chapter 6 of Live No Lies. Key reference: Romans 13:14; Colossians 3:1–17.
Previewing Week 5 of Live No Lies
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 14-week guide when you’re ready.
Comer now gets practical about how we actually resist the flesh — and his answer is surprising: you don't fight desire by suppressing it, but by cultivating deeper, truer desires that crowd the lesser ones out.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Comer argues that the traditional approach of 'just say no' to the flesh is not only ineffective but actually counter-productive — suppression without replacement doesn't work. Do you agree? What has been your default strategy for resisting fleshly desires, and how has it worked?
2.He introduces the concept of 'putting on the Lord Jesus Christ' (Romans 13:14) as a counter-practice to indulging the flesh — actively filling your imagination and attention with Christ rather than just trying to empty it of temptation. What does 'putting on Christ' look like in your daily routine?
3.Comer draws on Dallas Willard's teaching about spiritual disciplines as a training strategy — we practice disciplines not to earn God's favor but to train the body and soul to want the right things. Which spiritual disciplines has he mentioned or implied so far that feel most relevant to your particular flesh-battles?