Who’s Marking You? Flesh, Spirit, and the Last Days
- Catherine Guillaume-Sackey
- May 1
- 3 min read
I used to be afraid of The Omen. That image of 666 on the back of the boy’s neck stayed with me longer than it should have. As a child, it felt like evil could find you without warning—just for being in the wrong place, or watching the wrong thing.
But the older I got, the more I began to realize:
The mark I really needed to pay attention to wasn’t on the outside.
What if I told you that the number six—biblically associated with mankind—points to something deeper? What if the “beast” we fear isn’t always a figure of the future… but the parts of ourselves we excuse, elevate, or refuse to surrender?
In Scripture, being “marked” by the beast isn’t just about a number—it’s about allegiance. And in contrast, being sealed by the Holy Spirit isn’t about outward signs—it’s about a life led by the Spirit of God.
What Does It Look Like to Be Marked by the Spirit?
The Holy Spirit marks us by shaping our choices, attitudes, and responses. Throughout Scripture, we see people who chose God even when it wasn’t easy:
Joseph could have chosen comfort or revenge, but instead he chose integrity. (Genesis 39)
David had every reason to act on emotion when Saul was hunting him down, but he chose reverence. (1 Samuel 24)
Stephen, in the middle of being stoned, still spoke forgiveness. (Acts 7)
Even Jesus, in the wilderness, resisted every temptation by staying rooted in the Word and the will of God. (Luke 4)
In each of these stories, the Holy Spirit wasn’t just present—it was active. Quietly, powerfully guiding.
And What Does It Look Like to Be Marked by the Flesh?
The Bible also shows us what it looks like when people choose themselves over God:
Cain was warned, but still gave in to jealousy. (Genesis 4)
King Saul let fear of people override obedience to God. (1 Samuel 13 & 15)
Judas let greed distort what should’ve been sacred. (Matthew 26)
Ananias and Sapphira pretended to be generous while secretly holding back. (Acts 5)
These aren’t just stories of failure—they’re reminders. That it’s easy to slip into patterns that seem logical in the moment, but slowly pull us out of alignment with God’s Spirit.
What Do the Last Days Really Look Like?
In Matthew 24, Jesus tells us about signs—conflict, deception, lawlessness. But He also points to something deeper:
“Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
The last days aren’t just about what’s happening around us. They’re also about what’s happening within us.
Each day, we have a choice:
Will we be led by the Spirit or pulled by the flesh?
Will we operate from fear or from faith?
Will we reflect the culture, or the character of Christ?
A Personal Reflection
When I think back to that childhood fear of the number 666, I realize now:
It’s not about a number someone might place on your body.
It’s about who governs your mind and your heart.
The truth is, we’re always being shaped by something. The Spirit. The flesh. The pressure. The culture. The Word.
So instead of asking, “What if I’m marked?”, maybe the better question is:
“Who am I becoming?”
Scriptures to Sit With
Romans 8:5–6 – “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
Galatians 5:22–23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
2 Corinthians 1:22 – “He put His seal on us and gave us His Spirit in our hearts.”
Final Thought
Being marked by the Spirit isn’t flashy. It’s not loud. It’s daily.
It shows up in how we treat people, how we respond under pressure, and how we stay grounded when things get shaky.
And while the last days may look uncertain, the invitation hasn’t changed:
Live by the Spirit. Stay awake. Keep your oil full.
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