We started last week looking at three enemies that the growing Christian will face. We looked last time at the world, and the viewpoint that comes along with it. Today we will look at our second enemy, the flesh.
Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against
the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do
the things that you please.
We all have in our flesh a natural tendency toward sin, and toward selfishness. Our flesh keeps us from doing the things we want to do, and makes us do the things that we do not want to do.
Paul goes on in this passage to describe some of the deeds of the flesh:
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the deeds of
the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery,
enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions,
factions,
21 envying,
drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as
I have forewarned you, that those who practice (practice is the word PRASSO, which means to perform repeatedly or
habitually) such things will not inherit the
I’m not really into sorcery, but there are certainly some things on that list that I have been guilty of in the past! Don’t think that this means that if you repeatedly or habitually have outbursts of anger that you will not go to heaven! The beauty of God’s plan of salvation is that even though we may sometimes be controlled by our flesh and our natural sin, God does not take that into account, because of what He has done with our flesh:
Galatians 5:24
24 Now those who
belong to Christ Jesus (that’s you,
{{name}})have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
The problem of our flesh has been crucified, and done away with:
Romans 6:6-7
6 knowing this, that
our old self (that’s our flesh) was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done
away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
7 for he who has
died is freed from sin.
You will never get to a point where you are not tempted by your flesh, or even where you don’t sin! Even Paul had problems related to it. (Romans 7:14-25) Simply realize that your flesh, and all the sins that go along with it, have been taken care of on the Cross of Jesus Christ.
So, don’t be upset when (not if, but when) you do something wrong! Just be glad that you realize it’s wrong! Know that your flesh has been crucified with Him, forget about it, and move on in your Christian walk.