Living in isolation here at the hermitage, away from the chaos and daily troubles of the world, gives me a unique perspective on this passage from Galatians 5:24: “They that are of Christ have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof.” In fact, this perspective would probably be shared by most solitaries or hermits. In this quiet life, I’ve come to understand what it truly means to crucify the flesh and live according to God’s commandments, in the love of Christ.

When we think of the “flesh,” we might think of the more obvious sins—lust, greed, envy, and anger—but it goes much deeper than that. The flesh represents the pull of worldly desires, the temptation to focus on ourselves instead of God, to seek comfort and pleasure instead of holiness. Here, in the silence of my surroundings, I’ve come to see that crucifying the flesh means more than just avoiding sin. It means taming the constant push of selfishness that lives in each of us, replacing it with a life dedicated to God’s will. Out here, there are no distractions from the modern world. No noise, no flashing lights, no busyness. And yet, the battle with the flesh continues. In the stillness, I can hear the temptations that are drowned out by the world’s distractions—meaning that when we are caught up in the busyness, noise, and distractions of the world, we’re not likely to notice certain temptations or sinful desires. These distractions can mask or suppress the inner struggles we face, making it harder to recognize them. However, in the solitude and quietness of the hermitage, where there are no such distractions, these temptations become more apparent and easier to recognize. In stillness, I can hear and face those inner temptations that might otherwise go unnoticed in a chaotic, fast-paced environment. The desire for comfort, the longing for recognition, even the subtle temptation to think I’ve “earned” holiness through my lifestyle—all of these can creep in. That’s why St. Paul the Apostle’s words are a constant reminder that being of Christ means dying to those desires, nailing them to the Cross just as He did.

The crucifixion of the flesh is not a one-time event. My friends, this is a daily struggle. It requires vigilance, prayer, and a lot of humility. I’ve found that the more I surrender to Christ, the more He fills me with His grace, and the easier it becomes to turn away from the passions that try to take root in my heart. I think of our Lord’s words in Matthew 16:24, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” This is the path of a hermit, and of every Christian—to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him, no matter the cost.

Living in this solitude, I also see how much freedom comes with crucifying the flesh. The world teaches its citizens that following desires brings happiness, but here, in the quiet, surrounded by nature, I’ve found the opposite to be true. Real freedom comes when we let go of the passions and lusts that can often drive the human mind. Only then are we free to love fully, free to serve God with all our hearts, and free to live in the peace and joy that come from walking in His ways.

Crucifying the flesh is not an easy task. It can be a painful process, and at times, it can feel like losing part of yourself. But in reality, it’s the key to finding who we really are in Christ.

You don’t have to live in isolation to crucify the flesh. While a hermitage provides a quiet space for this spiritual battle, those living in the world can still tame their desires and passions through daily acts of self-denial and discipline. One way is by intentionally creating moments of silence and prayer, seeking God’s guidance even in the middle of all the noise. Fasting, both from food and from unnecessary pleasures, can help weaken the pull of worldly desires. Practicing humility by serving others and placing their needs above your own helps crucify the selfish tendencies of the flesh. Regular examination of conscience, confession, and engaging with fellow believers can also strengthen your spiritual resolve, keeping your heart focused on Christ rather than on fleeting temptations.

Out here I’ve learned that the more I die to myself, the more alive I become in Him. And that, I believe, is what St. Paul is teaching us in this verse from his epistle to the Galatians. To be of Christ means to let go of the old self, with all its passions and lusts, and to embrace the new life that He offers—a life rooted in His love, His grace, and His peace.