Flesh (4561) (sarx) is used 147 times in the NT (in table below click book title for uses of sarx). A simple definition of sarx is difficult because sarx has many nuances (e.g., some Greek lexicons list up to 11 definitions for sarx!). The diligent disciple must carefully observe the context of each use of sarx in order to accurately discern which nuance is intended. The range of meaning extends from the physical flesh (both human and animal), to the human body, to the entire person, and even to all humankind! Refer to the table below for the 4 basic definitions of sarx as categorized in Strong's Lexicon.
THE NT USES
OF SARX
Sarx - 147x in 126v in NAS. Note that about 10% of all NT uses of sarx are in Romans 8! Therefore this chapter deserves special study if we would truly understand the flesh!:
Mt 16:17; 19:5, 6; 24:22; 26:41; Mk 10:8; 13:20; 14:38; Lk 3:6; 24:39; Jn 1:13, 14; 3:6; 6:51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 63; 8:15; 17:2;
Acts 2:17, 26, 31;
Ro 1:3; 8" class="scriptRef">2:28; 3:20; 4:1; 6:19; 5" class="scriptRef">7:5, 18, 25; 8:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13; 9:3, 5, 8; 11:14; 13:14;
1Co 1:26, 29; 5.5" class="scriptRef">5:5; 6:16; 7:28; 10:18; 15:39, 50; 2Co 1:17; 4:11; 5:16; 7:1, 5; 10:2, 3; 11:18; 12:7;
Gal 1:16; 2:16, 20; 3:3; 13-Gal.4.14" class="scriptRef">4:13, 14, 23" class="scriptRef">23, 29; 5.13" class="scriptRef">5:13, 16, 17, 19, 24" class="scriptRef">24" class="scriptRef">24; 6:8, 12-Gal.6.13" class="scriptRef">12, 13; Eph 2:3, 11" class="scriptRef">11, 14; 5:29, 31; 6:5, 12; Php 1:22, 24; 3:3, 4; Col 1:22, 24; 2:1, 5, 11, 13, 18, 23; 3:22; 1Ti 3:16; Philemon 1:16;
Heb 2:14; 5:7; 9:10, 13; 10:20; 12:9; Jas 5:3; 1Pe 1:24; 18" class="scriptRef">3:18, 21" class="scriptRef">21; 4:1, 2, 6; 2Pe 2:10, 18; 1Jn 2:16; 4:2; 2Jn 1:7; Jude 1:7, 8, 23; Rev 17:16; 19:18, 21
The NAS translates sarx as: (147) - bodily, 1; bodily condition, 1; body, 2; earth, 1; earthly, 1; fellow countrymen, 1; flesh, 129; fleshly, 4; life, 3; man, 1; mankind, 1; nation, 1; personally, 1.
Note that over 50% (75x) of the NT uses of sarx are by Paul. Note the concentration in Romans 22x and Galatians 16x.
Flesh in the moral/ethical or spiritual sense (see analysis of sarx below) as used by Paul in Romans 8:5 (and in many other passages - see box below) describes the outlook orientated toward self, is prone to sin, is opposed to God and which pursues its own ends in self-sufficient, independence from God. Flesh is the ugly complex of human sinful desires that includes the ungodly motives, affections, principles, purposes, words, and actions that sin generates through our bodies. Sarx as used in this manner denotes the entire fallen human being—not just the sinful body but the entire being, including the soul and mind, as affected by sin. To live according to the flesh is to be ruled and controlled by that evil complex. Because of Christ’s saving work on our behalf, the sinful flesh no longer reigns over us, to debilitate us and drag us back into the pit of depravity into which we were all born.
John Piper has an excellent "working definition" on the flesh as "the old ego that is self-reliant and does not delight to yield to any authority or depend on any mercy. It craves the sensation of self-generated power and loves the praise of men...in its conservative form it produces legalism -- keeping rules by its own power for its own glory...we see that the flesh also (in its more liberal form) produces grossly immoral attitudes and acts (as defined in Gal 5:19-21 -see notes Gal 5:19; 5:20; 5:21)...The flesh is the proud and unsubmissive root of depravity in every human heart which exalts itself subtly through proud, self-reliant morality, or flaunts itself blatantly through self-assertive, authority-despising immorality." (Read the full sermon Walk by the Spirit)
Flesh in the moral/ethical or spiritual sense is that urge within us toward total autonomy and rebellion, toward being our own little gods accountable to no one, responsible to no one, obeying no one, respecting no one, and running our own little worlds to suit ourselves. It is that continual tug of self-centeredness and selfishness within each of us that keeps us from being completely His.
Born again believers need to understand that there is still this remnant of the flesh within our physical bodies of flesh. In contrast to the unregenerate man, believers now have the power led by the Holy Spirit to say "yes" to God and "no" to the flesh, whereas before Romans 6 (Ro 6:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11-see notes on Ro 6:1-3; 6:4-5; 6:6-7; 6:8-10; 6:11) took place we had no choice. Paul teaches clearly that the flesh is opposed to Spirit. The unbeliever can live only in the flesh, but the believer can live in the Spirit but can fall back into living according to the Spirit. Paul repeatedly encourages believers to overcome the deeds of the flesh in the only way possible - by living in the Spirit.
Tony Evans quips that our fallen flesh...
is like the structure of a house that has been eaten up by termites. You can paint the inside, put down new carpet, and buy new furniture, but you have not fixed the structural problem. The flesh is like a bad in-law; you can’t get rid of it. It just keeps hanging around....“There isn’t one good thing in my flesh” is Paul’s answer in Romans 7:18. So you may as well mark it down. There is nothing of value to God in your flesh. Your old address has been condemned. That’s why it must die. God doesn’t want it in heaven, and you can’t fix it here on earth. Now if you don’t understand this, you are going to waste your time trying to improve your flesh, whether through New Year’s resolutions or by sheer effort, gritting your teeth and giving it your best shot. It’s true you may be able to make a few minor improvements that way. The authority to do what we’re talking about, however, doesn’t come from you. It comes from the authority of the Holy Spirit in you. But a lot of us are like lion tamers, trying to whip the flesh into shape. It cannot be done. The flesh is totally diseased. It attracts sin like a magnet. Sin appeals to the flesh because sin pleases the flesh. The thing that makes the flesh so bad is that it seeks to serve and please self rather than serve and please God. But your new inner person seeks to please God. (The Promise : Experiencing God's Greatest Gift, the Holy Spirit)
To live according to the flesh is to be ruled and controlled by the flesh. Because of Christ’s saving work on our behalf, the sinful flesh no longer reigns over us, to debilitate us and drag us back into the pit of depravity into which we were all born.
J Vernon McGee has a simple classification for sarx writing that...
it can be used in three different ways. It can speak of the body, the physical body that we have, the meat that is on the bones. It can speak of weakness, meaning that which is psychological. It can also mean that corrupt nature which you and I have, that fallen nature. That is the spiritual meaning. So this word can be used in a physical sense, in a psychological sense, and in a spiritual sense. Paul uses the word flesh in all three senses but more frequently in the sense of the old Adamic, fallen nature. (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
Harry Ironside writes that...
It is not that the flesh (referring to the moral/ethical meaning) is, or ever will be, in any sense improved. The flesh in the oldest and godliest Christian is as incorrigibly evil as the flesh in the vilest sinner...All efforts to reform or purify it are in vain. The law only demonstrates its incurable wickedness. And this explains why the natural man is so completely unprofitable... To say so would be to declare that man is not a responsible creature but is simply the victim of a hard, cruel fatalism. But although he knows the evil and approves the good, the natural man inclines toward the wrong and fails to do the right. Because he is dominated by the flesh, to which he yields his members as instruments of unrighteousness (Ro 6:13-note), he is powerless to change his nature. The natural man therefore cannot really please God." (Romans Commentary online) (Bolding added)
Larry Richards summarizes flesh (specifically the moral/ethical aspect) writing that...
"flesh" is a complex word with many meanings....The NT emphasizes humanity's moral inadequacy. When they are isolated from God, human beings are energized by evil desires and guided by perceptions that distort God's will and His nature. The word "flesh" reminds us that we are caught in the grip of sin. Even a desire for righteousness cannot enable us to actually become righteous. God deals with our flesh in a surprising way. He does not free us now from the fleshly nature. Instead, he provides a source of power that will release us from the domination of the flesh. Jesus has paid for sins generated by our flesh, whether sins of our past or those yet in our future. But Jesus has also provided us with his Holy Spirit. The Spirit lives within us, and He is the source of new desires and a new perspective. Even more, the spiritual power unleashed in the resurrection is made available to us in the Spirit...If we choose to rely on the Spirit and if we commit ourselves to His control, we will experience a resurrection kind of life--now. The limits imposed by our fleshly human nature will no longer contain us, and we will be freed from the mastery of the flesh." (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency) (Bolding added)
William Barclay summarizes sarx...
(i) Sarx (4561) literally means flesh. The most cursory reading of Paul's letters will show how often he uses the word, and how he uses it in a sense that is all his own. Broadly speaking, he uses it in three different ways.
(a) He uses it quite literally. He speaks of physical circumcision, literally "in the flesh" (Romans 2:28). (b) Over and over again he uses the phrase kata (2596) sarka (4561), literally according to the flesh, which most often means looking at things from the human point of view. For instance, he says that Abraham is our forefather kata (2596) sarka (4561), from the human point of view. He says that Jesus is the son of David kata (2596) sarka (4561) (Romans 1:3), that is to say, on the human side of his descent. He speaks of the Jews being his kinsmen kata (2596) sarka (4561) (Romans 9:3), that is to say, speaking of human relationships. When Paul uses the phrase kata (2596) sarka (4561), it always implies that he is looking at things from the human point of view.
(c) But he has a use of this word sarx (4561) which is all his own. When he is talking of the Christians, he talks of the days when we were in the flesh (en (1722) sarki, 4561) (Romans 7:5). He speaks of those who walk according to the flesh in contradistinction to those who live the Christian life (Romans 8:4-5). He says that those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8). He says that the mind of the flesh is death, and that it is hostile to God (Romans 8:6; Romans 8:8). He talks about living according to the flesh (Romans 8:12). He says to his Christian friends, "You are not in the flesh" (Romans 8:9).
It is quite clear, especially from the last instance, that Paul is not using flesh simply in the sense of the body, as we say flesh and blood. How, then, is he using it? He really means human nature in all its weakness and he means human in its vulnerability to sin. He means that part of man which gives sin its bridgehead. He means sinful human nature, apart from Christ, everything that attaches a man to the world instead of to God. To live according to the flesh is to live a life dominated by the dictates and desires of sinful human nature instead of a life dominated by the dictates and the love of God. The flesh is the lower side of man's nature.
It is to be carefully noted that when Paul thinks of the kind of life that a man dominated by the sarx (4561) lives he is not by any means thinking exclusively of sexual and bodily sins. When he gives a list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, he includes the bodily and the sexual sins; but he also includes idolatry, hatred, wrath, strife, heresies, envy, murder. The flesh to him was not a physical thing but spiritual. It was human nature in all its sin and weakness; it was all that man is without God and without Christ. (Romans 8 - William Barclay's Daily Study Bible)
Lewis Sperry Chafer wrote that flesh (the moral/ethical definition) is...
Any aspect of life or conduct which is undertaken in dependence upon the energy and ability of the flesh is, to that extent, purely legal in character, whether it be the whole revealed will of God, the actual written commandments contained in the Law, the exhortations of grace, or any activity whatsoever in which the believer may engage.
Middletown Bible Church has an instructive note on explaining that...
There are five things that will never happen to the flesh (referring to the moral/ethical aspect):
1) The flesh cannot be changed. The rebellious, non-submissive flesh will never be transformed into submissive, obedient flesh. God’s method of dealing with the flesh is not to change it but to CONDEMN IT (Ro 8:3-note) and crucify it (Gal 5:24-note; Gal 2:20-note and compare Ro 6:6-note).
2) The flesh cannot be reformed. It cannot be corrected or restored to purity. That which is corrupt remains corrupt. That which is desperately wicked remains desperately wicked (Jer 17:9). The Church was reformed (we speak of the Protestant "Reformation") and restored to some degree of purity but the flesh will never have a reformation. Two thousand years ago it did not have a reformation but it had a crucifixion!
3) The flesh can never be trained. The flesh is stubborn. It refuses to change its ways. It’s immutable. You can never teach the flesh how to please God. The flesh is incorrigible--incapable of being corrected or amended. The flesh refuses to change its ways. The works of the flesh always remain the same (Gal 5:19, 20, 21-see notes Gal 5:19; 20; 21).
4) The flesh cannot be improved. It always remains as it is: depraved, corrupt, wicked, sinful, evil, anti-God, rebellious, stubborn, proud, etc.
5) The flesh cannot be reconciled to God. It is always and ever opposed to God (Gal 5:17-note). It will never be at peace with God; instead there is constant war. God can never be brought into harmony with that which is out of harmony with His holy and righteous character.
A Christian has an old nature from his physical birth and a new nature from his spiritual birth. The New Testament contrasts these two natures and gives them various names which are more or less synonyms:
Old
Nature New
Nature
“our old man” (Ro 6:6 note) “the new man” (Col 3:10 note)
“the flesh” (Gal. 5:24) “the Spirit” (Gal 5:17)
“corruptible seed” (1Pe 1:23 note) “God’s seed” (1Jn 3:9)
Dearly beloved of God, be ever aware of the deceitfulness of sin's desire to use our unredeemed flesh to cause us to stray from the highway of holiness. As Spurgeon rightly reminds us...
Corruptions may slumber, but godliness must watch. So long as we live, the corruptions of the old nature will be ready to rise in rebellion, and they must be held down by divine grace working in us continual care. Quaint Berridge wisely says:—
And if the monsters round thy head
Lay harmless down, like sheep,
Yet never once surmise them dead,
They have but dropped asleep.
The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology has a good word regarding one's approach to the study of a word as complex as sarx...
The range of meanings borne by this term in the Bible starts from the literal use denoting the material of which the human body is chiefly constructed, but quickly takes on other senses derived from the writers’ understanding of the created order and its relation to God. Careful attention to context is needed to catch the precise nuance in any given case. (Elwell, W. A., & Elwell, W. A. The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology . Baker Book House)
SARX
Modified from Strong's Lexicon
FLESH: the material that covers the bones of a human or animal body = the meat that is on the bones. (1Co 15:39; Re 19:18-note; Re 19:21-note)
THE BODY
BODY OF A MAN - the physical body as functioning entity.
FLESH can denote the human body in its entirety—the part referring to the whole (Eph 5:29- note; He 9:13-note).
FLESH can denote the opposite where the whole refers to the part, especially when referring to the sexual organs such as the circumcision of the flesh (Gal 6:13; Eph 2:11-note; Php 3:3-note; Col 2:13-note).
ALL FLESH is a comprehensive term referring to all of humanity (Mt 24:22 where "life" is sarx) or including both the human and animal creation (Ge 6:13).
RELATIONSHIP: natural, physical origin, generation or relationship
Born of natural generation - Jesus was related to David with reference to the flesh (Ro 1:3-note)
.
Describing a SUPERNATURAL relationship - Adam and Eve (Ge 2:24;), husband and wife (Mt 19:5; Ep 5:31-note)
THE SENSUOUS NATURE OF MAN, "the animal nature" - refers to earthly and natural existence and then to the merely worldly existence of human beings
Without any suggestion of depravity
FLESH refers to the weaker and more transitory aspects of the nature of humankind, including those aspects that are subject to temptation. FLESH is not automatically sinful, but it is weak, limited, and temporal. Because of the weakness of the FLESH it easily comes under the power of sin when not in fellowship with the spiritual power of God. This leads to the moral/ethical use of the term FLESH (see #4 below), which signifies man living apart from God and thus under sin’s domination. Adam and Eve were created as fleshly human beings. They succumbed to the temptations of Satan, who promised them that they would be like God, knowing good and evil (Ge 3:5). The weakness of the flesh is seen in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus found the disciples sleeping. He enjoined them to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation for “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt 26:41; Mk 14:38). (compare Ro 6:19-note) In sum, FLESH as defined in this section implies weakness, frailty or imperfection, each of which can be either in the physical and moral realm (but in these less common uses flesh does not necessarily imply sinfulness as in the much more frequent usage of flesh with the an evil connotation - see section #4 below).
Wiersbe points out that " The flesh is weak when it comes to doing spiritual things (Mt 26:41), but it is very strong when it comes to practicing religious rules and regulations (see definition #4). Somehow, adhering to the religious routine inflates the ego and makes a person content in his self-righteousness." (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)
Hendricksen commenting on (Mt 26:41; Mk 14:38) writes that that "Here, the flesh was not sinful, but rather limited and weak due to fatigue, and easy to succumb to sleep. Flesh,” as here meant, is the human nature considered from the aspect of its frailty and needs, both physical and psychical. This use of “flesh” must not be confused with that according to which “flesh” indicates the human nature regarded as the seat of sinful desire." (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew Grand Rapids: Baker Book House)
In summary FLESH can be a neutral term referring to created humans and animals who are limited and weak or it can refer to humans controlled by sin and its passions (see definition #4)
A LIVING CREATURE (because possessed of a body of flesh) whether man or beast (2Co 10:3-note)
"THE FLESH" is used especially by Paul in a MORAL AND ETHICAL SENSE, or "SPIRITUAL SENSE", always with an evil connotation, implying sinfulness, a disposition or proneness to sin or the seat of sinful passions. Flesh in this sense denotes fallen human nature which is the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence and even opposed to God and godliness. Flesh manifest "self" (remove the "h" and read "flesh" backwards > "self"!). The usual expression of the flesh is through the body, which is itself morally neutral and is but an instrument of either righteousness or unrighteousness (cf Ro 6:12-note). Note that evil tendencies of man are not always referred to as flesh.
FLESH represents human nature which is alienated from God and devoted to sensual self-gratification and pursuit of worldly pleasures and possessions.
FLESH refers to man’s unredeemed humanness, acting apart from Christ, which is subject to the all-encompassing power of sin.
The Law was given, in any of its forms, only and solely because the FLESH exists. There is no need for law if there is no FLESH.
The FLESH refers to the dissipation of life that comes when one is abandoned to doing whatever feels good.
FLESH is the Adamic principle of evil which, apart from the revelation of the Bible, we would never know exists because it continually deludes and deceives us into self-effort, self-interest, self-praise, self-pity, self-admiration, self-centeredness of every kind. Deliverance can come only by the reintroduction into man of a new spirit, who in turn is under the control of the Holy Spirit.
FLESH is the base part of man’s physical life, which causes him to sin. It is the the dominating principle of the corrupt nature in man. The flesh is the base of all "enemy" operations that come from (1) Satan the deceiver and (2) the evil, godless world system opposed to and an enemy of God. These enemies gain foothold by means of flesh.
Vine says "The FLESH is the seat of sin in man."
FLESH is the human nature regarded as the seat and vehicle of sinful desire.
FLESH is the totally depraved nature dominating the unsaved individual (and as discussed in #4b is still present in born again men and women and capable of exerting its sinister influence)
FLESH IN NON-BELIEVERS
“In the flesh” describes an unregenerate person, one who allow their lives to be basically governed by their sinful human nature. The unredeemed, unregenerate person can operate only in the area of the flesh, the natural and sinful sphere of fallen mankind. Although we sometimes hear someone accuse a believer of being "in the flesh", strictly speaking believers are no longer “in the flesh.” Believers make act "fleshly" (see "4b" below) but their entire sphere of being is no longer solely "in the flesh" for they now have the Holy Spirit and new hearts. A person who lives completely in the realm of the flesh cannot belong to Christ.
J Vernon McGee writes that
"Anything that Vernon McGee does in the flesh, (including "fleshly" works of believers) God hates. God won’t have it; God can’t use it. When it is of the flesh, it is no good. Have you learned that? That is a great lesson." McGee goes on to add that believers "are given a new nature, and that new nature will not commit sin. I assure you that the new nature won’t commit sin. When I sin, it is the old nature (flesh). The new nature won’t do it; the new nature just hates sin. That new nature won’t let me sleep at night; it says, “Look, you are wrong. You have to make it right!” (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
Hendricksen adds that
"To be “in the flesh” means to be basically controlled by one’s sinful human nature. A person so described is not a believer. To be fleshly or carnal, on the other hand, means to be the opposite of what the law is. The law of God is spiritual, perfect, divine. In a sense Paul is unspiritual, imperfect. As 3.1" class="scriptRef">1Cor. 3:1, 3 indicates, such a carnal person can still be a Christian." (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. New Testament Commentary Set, 12 Volumes. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House)
The FLESH serves as a base of operation for sin (Ro 7:8-note, Ro 7:11-note) and thus enslaves a person to sin (Ro 6:15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23-see notes Ro 6:15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23; Ro 7:25-note). This does not imply that flesh is automatically sinful, but its history in Adam shows the weakness of flesh and its strong tendency to yield to the commands of sin.
FLESH refers to the basic nature of unregenerate man that makes him blind to spiritual truth (1Cor. 2:14). FLESH is the nature we receive in our physical birth; spirit is the nature we receive in the second birth (John 3:5, 6).
Warren Wiersbe writes that FLESH (in the moral/ethical or spiritual use)
"The FLESH is the third force that encourages the unbeliever to disobey God. By the FLESH Paul does not mean the body, because of itself, the body is not sinful; the body is neutral. The Spirit may use the body to glorify God, or the FLESH may use the body to serve sin. The FLESH refers to that fallen nature that we were born with, that wants to control the body and the mind and make us disobey God. An evangelist friend of mine once announced as his topic, “Why Your Dog Does What It Does,” and, of course, many dog lovers came out to hear him. What he had to say was obvious, but too often overlooked: “A dog behaves like a dog because he has a dog’s nature.” If somehow you could transplant into the dog the nature of the cat, his behavior would change radically. Why does a sinner behave like a sinner? Because he has the nature of a sinner (Ps 51:5; 58:3). This sinful nature the Bible calls “the FLESH.” ... “The FLESH” is the old nature that we inherited from Adam, a nature that is opposed to God and can do nothing spiritual to please God. By His death and resurrection, Christ overcame the world (John 16:33; Gal. 6:14-note), and the FLESH (Ro 6:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-note; Gal 2:20-note), and the devil (Eph 1:19, 20, 21, 22, 23-note). In other words, as believers, we do not fight for victory—we fight from victory! The Spirit of God enables us, by faith, to appropriate Christ’s victory for ourselves... Satan wants to use our external enemy, the world, and our internal enemy, the flesh, to defeat us. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor) (Bolding added)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the deceptiveness of our fallen flesh and need to fight the fight of faith every moment of every day (1Ti 1:18, 6:12, until we can say with Paul 2Ti 4:7-note)...
The flesh resists this daily humiliation, first by a frontal attack, and later by hiding itself under the words of the Spirit (i.e., in the name of “evangelical liberty”). We claim liberty from all legal compulsion, from self-martyrdom and mortification and play this off against the proper evangelical use of discipline and asceticism; we thus excuse our self-indulgence and irregularity in prayer, in meditation and in our bodily life. But the contrast between our behavior and the word of Jesus is all too painfully evident. We forget that discipleship means estrangement from the world, and we forget the real joy and freedom which are the outcome of a devout rule of life. As soon as the Christian recognizes that he has failed in his service, that his readiness has become feeble, and that he has sinned against Another's life and become guilty of Another's guilt, that all his joy in God has vanished and that his capacity for prayer has quite gone, it is high time for him to launch an assault upon the flesh, and prepare for better service by fasting and prayer (Lk 2:27, 4:2, Mk 9:29, 1Co 7:5)...When all is said and done, the life of faith is nothing if not an unending struggle of the spirit with every available weapon against the flesh. How is it possible to live the life of faith when we grow weary of prayer, when we lose our taste for reading the Bible, when sleep, food and sensuality deprive us of the joy of communion with God? (Ed: Do Bonhoeffer's words prick and sting your heart and your conscience as they do mine? May the Almighty grant this writer and all who read this, enablement by His grace and Spirit to fight the good fight of faith for the glory of His Name in Christ. Amen.) (The cost of discipleship, page 170, go to table of contents and click Chapter 16, scroll down)
The state of the unsaved is “in the flesh” and thus totally under the control of sinful passions (Ro 7:5-note).
McGee writes that
"The Law was a straitjacket put on the flesh to control it. The flesh rebelled and chafed under the irksome restraint of the Law. The flesh had no capacity or desire to follow the injunctions of the Law. The flesh broke out of the restraint imposed by law and therefore brought down the irrevocable penalty for breaking the Law, which is death." (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
The unsaved person does not have the Spirit of God (Ro 8:9-note) and lives in the flesh and for the flesh. His mind is centered on the things that satisfy the flesh.
The unbeliever can live only in the flesh, but the believer can live in a fleshly manner (but as noted below is no longer strictly speaking "in the flesh") or in the Spirit. Paul repeatedly encourages believers to overcome the deeds of the flesh by living in the Spirit.
The mind of the flesh describes that attitude or disposition of heart and mind apart from regenerating grace. (Col 1:28-note)
Legalism appeals to the flesh. The flesh loves to be “religious”—to obey laws, to observe holy occasions, to fast, etc. Certainly there is nothing wrong with obedience, fasting, or etc, provided that the Holy Spirit does the motivating and the empowering. The flesh loves to boast about its religious achievements
Flesh-driven people are the children of wrath (Eph 2:3-note). They cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Co 6:9, 10; Gal 5:19, 20, 21-see notes Gal 5:19; 20; 21; Ep 2:11, 12-note; Eph 5:5-note).
FLESH IN BELIEVERS:
FLESH describes the moral and spiritual weakness and helplessness of human nature still present even in redeemed souls. Even though the old man (FLESH) indeed has been hanged upon the tree of Calvary with Christ, yet he still has the ability to influence you, distract you, tempt you, and even defeat you. There will be times when you will allow the FLESH to control you, but it is always your choice. The FLESH cannot control us anymore on it’s own, as Paul explains in Romans 6:1-11 (see notes Ro 6:1-3; 6:4-5; 6:6-7; 6:8-10; 6:11).The answer to FLESH is not to try to repress these influences by your will power. We must realize that our defense against the intrusion of the FLESH into our thinking is not our will power or our determination not to permit these things, but it is rather a quiet resting back upon the power of the Holy Spirit to meet the FLESH whenever it appears and a dependence upon the Spirit to do so.
Ray Stedman in The Enemy Within (from his book Authentic Christianity which I highly recommend) has an interesting diagram (realizing that any diagram cannot fully explain profound spiritual truths) that may help you see how the FLESH and the SPIRIT operate in a believer's life. In the schematic below, the chair represents the "throne" in a believer's heart, "E" represents the "Ego" (FLESH) and the Cross represents the Holy Spirit "invading" and controlling various aspects of our everyday life. (click here and scroll down the page for a complete explanation of the diagram below and other diagrams)
FLESH is the principle of human frailty, especially our sinful selfishness, which remains in believers after we are saved and until we are glorified and receive our new bodies. It is possible, of course, for believers to fall back into some of the ways of the FLESH, which occurs whenever we sin. Don't say "the devil made me do it!" He and this godless world system may have influenced you, but the FLESH made you do it beloved. Although believers can never again be "IN THE FLESH", the FLESH is still in them and is able to manifest itself in the believer.
Illustration of Flesh - When asked to account for the sleeping giant Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines(600 yrs), a research scientist from the Philippines Department of Volcanology observed, "When a volcano is silent for many years, our people forget that it's a volcano and begin to treat it like a mountain." Like Mount Pinatubo, the fallen flesh always has the potential to erupt, bringing great harm both to ourselves and to others. The biggest mistake believers can make is to ignore the volcano and move back onto what seems like a dormant "mountain." Never forget, the flesh is a Volcano…not simply a mountain! And it will always be a Volcano until we are glorified!
Be aware that the desire of the FLESH is to be religious in a manner acceptable to the world and to conduct its business along the principles of the world. FLESH is not a believer's friend, as many have been lulled into thinking but in fact is our enemy. Ray Stedman feels that "perhaps nothing has contributed more to the present weakness of the church than a failure to understand the nature and character of the FLESH"...the primary characteristic of the FLESH (is that) it is self-serving. It is God's life, misused. It can have all the outward appearance of the life of God--loving, working, forgiving, creating, serving--but with an inward motive that is aimed always and solely at the advancement of self. It thus becomes the rival of God--another god! This is why fallen human beings, working in the energy of the FLESH, can do many good deeds--good in the eyes of themselves and others around them. But God does not see them as good. He looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance, therefore he knows they are tainted right from the start. (read Two Splendors)
Here are a few quotes related to the flesh as manifest by our old sinful nature...
We all carry about with us material that Satan can work upon. (Most of the quotes are from John Blanchard's highly recommended compendium of Biblically sound quotations - The Complete Gathered Gold: A Treasury of Quotations)
Our sinful natures are neither removed at our regeneration nor refined by our sanctification. -- John Blanchard
Ourselves are the greatest snares to ourselves. - Richard Baxter
In the conversion of man, the properties of our original nature remain entire. -- John Calvin
In youth, mid-age, and now after many battles, I find nothing in me but vanity and corruption. -- John Knox
I more fear what is within me than what comes from without. -- Martin Luther
Original sin is in us, like the beard. We are shaved today and look clean, and have a smooth chin; tomorrow our beard has grown again, nor does it cease growing while we remain on earth. -- Martin Luther
It is one thing for sin to live in us; it is another for us to live in sin. - John Murray (Ed comment: The former is true of the genuine believer, while the latter is not likely to be a true believer!)
I find not one corruption of my vile heart is dead, though some seem now and then asleep. --John Newton
I have a vile heart, capable of every evil; and I, in myself, am as prone to change as a weathercock. --John Newton
The flesh is radically and wholly evil. -- A. W. Pink
There is far more wickedness in all our hearts than we know. -- J. C. Ryle
The Christian does not have to live in defeat, but he does have to live all his life with the sin nature... and... because God has not made flesh any better in the believer, because it has not been refined, it is a powerful enemy with which we have to live. -- Charles Ryrie
Impress the young convert from the very beginning with the conviction that God has called him into his kingdom to struggle with the corruptions of his heart. -- William B. Sprague
All the devils in hell and tempters on earth could do us no injury if there were no corruption in our own natures. -- C. H. Spurgeon
Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us. -- C. H. Spurgeon
The saints are sinners still. -- C. H. Spurgeon
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