10/3/2018
When I speak of “flesh” I refer to the evil principle in man: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing…” (Roman 7:18). In the bad sense, “flesh” (sarx, Greek) by implication is human nature with all its frailties (physical or moral), its passions — carnality. There are dozens of verses that use the word “flesh,” sometimes meaning the human being, or the sinful nature of the human being.
“Flesh” in a bad sense, is described as having passions (Galatians 5:24), producing evil works (vv. 19-21), dominating the mind (Ephesians 2:3), absorbing the affections (Romans 13:14), seeking outward display (Galatians 6:12-13), antagonizing the Holy Spirit (5:17), fighting against the Law of God (Roman 8:7), reaping corruption (Galatians 6:8), and producing death (Roman 7:5).
Check out these texts regarding the confrontation between the Christian and the “flesh”: it’s a WAR (Romans 7:18-23), it’s CONFRONTATION (Galatians 5:17); the Christian must make no provision for the “flesh” (Romans 13:14), must not love the “flesh” (1 John 2:15-17), not walk in the “flesh” (Romans 8:1,4), not live in the “flesh” (Romans 8:12-13); he must even CRUCIFY the “flesh” (Galatians 5:24). These texts should give my readers a bird’s eye view of what the “flesh” is, how we are to view it, and how it is CERTAINLY AN ENEMY OF OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE!
The “flesh” can also be viewed as an idol. I think we can all agree on this! Jonah 2:8 correctly says, “Those who follow vain idols forsake their true loyalty (to God).” The ESV reads, “Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.” NO HOPE!
Following human “idols” is hubris. Yes, God raises up men and women for us to follow, men and women led by the Holy Spirit who lead us to follow Christ. However, these “dandies” today who want us all to follow THEM in THEIR SINS, are LIARS AND FALSE TEACHERS!!! These rich, selfish humans who live after the FLESH and want us to do the same, have made themselves IDOLS of the FLESH. Those who worship such men and women are STUPID!
It will help us if we remember how deeply the human being is enmeshed in the “flesh.”
The human body itself is also “flesh,” it is literal “flesh” and bones, subject to death and decay.
For sure, EVIL emanates from man. This is why Jesus tells us, “Unless a man is born again, he [or she] cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3,5). Even when we ARE born again, we still have to deal with the “flesh.” We deal with it by obeying Jesus. “Seeing ye HAVE PURIFIED YOUR SOULS in obeying the truth through the Spirit … Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (1 Peter 1:23). This is why we’re told to “Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
So, why do Christians stumble and fall? Christians stumble and fall because they yield to the old corrupt nature that they should have dominion over but fail to keep dominion over.
DON’T YIELD TO THE FLESH!!!
Be vigilant! Sure it is difficult. If all of us would remain vigilant at this, we would not disgrace God and ourselves. I’ll admit, I’ve had my struggles. The Spirit stands in the midst of human turmoil with outstretched hands. Catch hold.
— Gen. Jim, POW