The Flesh (the Self)

Let us define ‘the flesh’ – it is man’s own self functioning without Jesus and for his own benefits. Jesus nailed our old man on the cross so that he will not live any more as ‘Satan enslaved man’ in slavery. When a man offers himself to be crucified with Christ, he can enjoy total freedom.

Here we see the difference between God’s way and man’s way. Faith is God’s way to live and Reasoning is man’s way, but ‘Faith’ and ‘man’s ability to reason’ are often in conflict.

Galatians 5:16-17 says “Walk by the Spirit” is to go on (a habitual conduct) living by the prompting power of the Spirit which is the key to conquering sinful fleshly desires. 

The Bible in 1 Peter 4  describes the advantage of suffering in the flesh where “the aspect of Christ suffering” stresses the unjust suffering because one has done good- even as a physical suffering.  In this physical body, believers are to be armed with His willingness to suffer unjustly and to face such abuse with Christ’s attitude and with His willingness to suffer for doing good. 

Such suffering enables one to straighten out his priorities that once seemed important now seem insignificant when one’s life is in Christ.

The following verses describe the battle of the flesh versus the spirit-  

• The Scripture says in  Matthew 26:41, “keep Watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”.  Jesus said that the spirit is willing and the body is weak. In order to keep away from temptation, Jesus asked his beloved disciples to watch and pray. Here the temptation is to be unfaithful in the face of the threatening circumstances confronting them. When the part of man that is his Spirit is under God’s control, it strives against human weakness powerfully.

• (Romans 7:14-20) describes that the “Law had its origin in God”, Paul is describing his present Christian experience even though a believer has the seeds of rebellion in his heart. The phrase “sold as a slave to sin,” is so strong by nature that many refuse to accept it. However it shows that the failure of a Christian to meet the demands of the Gospel is also because of the  persistent nature of sin.”

Some points to check if we are wavering in ‘Walking in the Spirit’ – 

1. Instead of looking at Jesus, they see themselves and their problems so that God’s mighty acts are limited.
2. Instead of trusting in God, they give room for doubts, limiting God’s work. 
3. People love this world and obey Jesus partially. So in the presence of sin we cannot powerfully work for God.
4. Talking and pointing out the  mistakes of others and criticising them always. God cannot work in such cases.