Our flesh is filled with sin. Lust,
greed, alcoholism, selfishness, debauchery (links with lust), lying, cheating,
adultery (again, lust), murder, coveting. When you think about it, sin is
pretty abundant in our lives. Mark 7:21-22 says, “For it is
from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual
immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice (intentional
meanness), deceit, lewdness (lust), envy, slander (bad report, whether a lie or
gossip), arrogance and folly.” It comes from within us, yet is a part of our
flesh, not the Spirit. In the case of the Spirit and the flesh, we need to
clarify the meaning of each. Romans 8:2-3 declares: “Through Christ Jesus the
law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and
death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son
in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous
requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh,
but according to the Spirit.” It is the last part of Romans 8:3 that sticks out
the most: “…and so he condemned sin in
the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be
fully met in us…” In this sense, there is a clear separation between our flesh
and the Spirit, which comes from God; ultimately, sin is tied to our flesh. Along those lines, John 3:6
says, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives
birth to Spirit,” suggesting that the flesh is separate from the Spirit, and
that the flesh and Spirit cannot coincide with one another. The context of John
3:6 is when Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus about being born again. Although we
are born in flesh (as sinners), we can receive Jesus Christ through the Spirit,
which is something the flesh can have no part in.
With so much sin trapping the very
fabric of our being, who we were meant to be comes crashing down and is
replaced by a monster we never knew could exist. We are reminded in Galatians
5:16 to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the
flesh.” Along with Galatians, Romans 13:14 tells us to “clothe yourselves with
the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the
flesh.” Again, Galatians 5:17: “For the flesh desires what is contrary
to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in
conflict with each other.” The last part of Galatians 5:17 suggests the Flesh
and the Spirit are at war.
So, when we think of sin as falling
under the following categories – lust, greed, alcoholism, selfishness,
debauchery, lying, cheating, adultery, murder, and coveting – we must realize
that sin is anything that opposes God, or the Spirit. If you are uncertain this
is true, the verses above speak volumes of the two. Do you worry? Are you
obsessive over worldly things? Are you prideful? Well, if these things are not
of God, then they must not be a part of the Spirit. If they are not a part of
the Spirit, they are a part of our flesh. If they are a part of our flesh, then
we must not do those things if we are in the Spirit. Unfortunately, worry,
obsession, and pride are forms of sin as well. Fortunately, there is a cure.
There is a remedy
Yes, our flesh is filthy. Our flesh is gross, and
only wants what is opposite of the Lord. So, how can live in the Spirit?
Looking at the verses above, it is clear the flesh is in opposition of the
Spirit. The beauty of this contradiction is that, out of the Flesh and the
Spirit, the latter always wins. As long as we “clothe [ourselves] with the Lord
Jesus Christ (the Spirit),” we win. As long as we abandon our fleshly desires,
we win in Christ.
The next question might be, “How do I ignore such a
big part of my life?” Yes, sadly, our Flesh plays a major role in who we are.
After all, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23
declares.
But, Galatians makes it clear to us. “Clothe
yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, douse yourself with the
love of Jesus (remember? The man who took on the sins of the world?) “Take captive every thought to make it
obedient to Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5 says. Everything we do and say must
reflect Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to work, and do not give over to the
desires of the flesh. Be reminded of who you are in Christ. Commit yourself to
excellence from God’s perspective, not your own. And, the best part, God
promises he will never leave you or forsake you. After all, with his guidance,
what can mere man do to you (Hebrews 13:5)? NOTHING.
It is not easy, but when you begin learning to ignore
the flesh, you walk towards the Spirit. You give proper attention to the
Spirit. Listen to the Spirit, and it will guide you. All you need to do is
clothe yourself with Jesus Christ.