"Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you." Romans 8:8
My earth suit is my biggest problem, and it is yours too. Why? Our flesh is prideful and selfish to the core. The great news for those that have been transformed by God's power, our flesh is NOT the real us!
As a follower of Christ, I must take responsibility for my flesh and crucify it daily. Every morning when my alarm clock goes off, it is my reminder that Jeff Pokone must die today that Christ might live through him. "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
What is the flesh?
The New Testament uses the term flesh (Greek—sarx) in three ways.
1. To refer to the physical body or earthly existence. (1 Corinthians 15:39; 2 Corinthians 4:11). Which we have until we die!
2. To refer to the "sinful programming" of the body as orientated away from God through my sinful nature, leading to individual struggles and desires of the flesh. (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:13,19) Which we are still struggling with!
3. Scripture uses this term in a morally evil sense to describe man's unredeemed humanness and desires (Romans 6:6; Rom. 8:8; Eph. 2:3). Which we no longer are!
The Apostle Paul gives us a personal account of his struggle between his new man that has the godly desires and the reality of desires that come from the flesh (Romans 7:14-8:6). Paul further explains that our sinful nature has been replaced by a new nature. This letter is foundational to understand the transformation God has brought us!
What are some realities regarding the flesh in our life?
• The flesh is a part of us, but it is NOT the real you if you are in Christ.
•. The flesh causes us to have a way of life apart from God and can't keep God's law.
• The flesh is hardwired into our physical being until our body dies.
• The flesh is self-reliant and self-focused rather than God-dependent and focused on loving others.
• The flesh has selfish desires, instead of what your new heart and Christ desires.
Six important scriptures regarding our flesh that we can personalize.
1. It is crucial to put on Jesus Christ by living out of our new heart in Christ. Romans 13:14, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
2. We can daily live our lives being filled and led by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
3. We have the freedom to live our lives in Christ but need to be aware of the flesh's temptations. Galatians 5:13, "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh…"
4. Our Christian growth comes through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, not through self-effort. Galatians 3:3, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"
5. Genuine faith in Christ brings about a transformed life. Galatians 5:24, "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
6. We live in a world with fleshly lusts all around us, but we can live above the fray of fleshly desire in this life. 1 Peter 2:11, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul."
Sadly, most Christians define their identity in Christ, and how Jesus views them by how they react in the flesh and their struggle with sin. One of my greatest joys in ministry is helping clients overcome condemnation and learn to live out of their transformed selves. We all need people around us to affirm our new heart in Christ that desires to please God!
May the grace of God strengthen you in these difficult days!
Jeff