“The Flesh”

“Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:12-14)

Where is this battle with “sinful nature” fought? What are our obligations in regards to the price Jesus paid upon the Cross of Calvary?

In Romans 8:12 the apostle moves from instruction to exhortation, from what God has done through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, to what is expected of the child of God in response.  The obligation is to God, who created man’s body, mind, and spirit. He gave His one and only Son for the redemption of sinful mankind. The obligation is also to Jesus Christ who purchased God’s chosen with His own blood.

“Obligation” (Greek – opheiletes) means to be bound by a duty.  Because of the price that Christ paid for the Christian’s soul the child of God is obligated to surrender his mind, heart, tongue, and literally every part of His body to the will of God.

Before any battle can be won, there must be the recognition of an enemy.  The most continually aggressive enemy the Christian has is the “sinful nature,” also known as the “flesh.”  The “flesh” (sarx) has been compared to cancer.  It lies deep, always looking for its opportunity to grow and cause more damage.  Matthew Henry wrote, “Sin is a brat which nobody is willing to own up to, a sign that it is a scandalous thing.”  The apostle Paul writes about the character of the flesh in Galatians 5:17, “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” The psalmist wrote, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” (Psalms 51:5)

The Bible tells us the fruit that comes out of people’s lives as the results of the “sinful nature.”  They are “…sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit [heaven].” (Galatians 5:19-21) Romans chapter one also contains a list of sins that come as one lives according to the “flesh.” There is homosexuality, greed and depravity, strife, deceit and malice. People surrendered to the “flesh” become gossips, slanders, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful, they invent ways of doing evil, they disobey parents, are heartless and they approve of people who practice and invent ways of committing these sins. (Romans 1: 26-31)  This enemy attacks all ages and nationalities of people.  No one can defeat this powerful enemy that continually draws people into its death hold.

The first step to “Victoriously Living Over the Flesh” is to agree with God that you have a sinful nature living in you.  Through repentance you can call upon Jesus Christ for forgiveness.  He will then make a way for you to be victorious over the “flesh.”