Note 21 at Gal. 5:24: "Have crucified the flesh" is in the aorist tense, suggesting an action that took place in the past. This does not refer to self-crucifixion or self-mortification but rather to Christians identifying with Christ's death. A parallel passage may be found in Romans 6:6, 11 which states, "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin . . . Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (see notes 6-7 at Rom. 6:4 & 6, pp. 777-778).

Victory over the flesh with its passions and lusts has already been provided for us by Christ through His death. We simply have to appropriate this truth by faith instead of self effort.