Jeanie Martin Ministries

Recently, I asked a very wise woman this question, “What is it about the flesh that makes us cater to it?”

Her reply: “We live in it, and we cannot escape it.” – Mrs. C.A.

THE SIN SUIT

When God spoke his desire to make man He said, “Let us make man in our image and our likeness and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth (Gen. 1:26).

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul (Gen. 2:7).

In making man, God chose dirt which is a humbling substance. Man can’t go any lower than dirt unless he’s aiming for hell. Although God gave man total dominion over everything except his flesh, the flesh has a mind of its own and tries to rule over man lest he subdues it. That’s a life-long battle in itself.

The Greek word for flesh is sarx, defined as “the material that covers the bones of a creature. The seat of animalistic, immoral desires and thoughts, such as lust.

Man is composed of “Earth,” the very breath of God, “Wind,” and the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, “Fire.” Being made in the image of God means that we are like God possessing His spirit and mind (1 Corinthians 2:16; 1 John 4:13).

SENSUAL SINS

Sensual sins are the deeds of the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21 explains it this way, “Now the practice of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), Idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and similar things. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”

Because of Adam’s sin, we have a propensity toward sin. We inherited his sinful nature. We entered this world wearing a sin suit, we didn’t choose it, and we cannot change it. As a result, the flesh is hostile towards God and sometimes yearns to do wrong things.

NOT OF THIS WORLD

All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the eye, and the pride. These are not of God but of the world (1 John 2:16 KJV).

“Lust of the flesh”… craving for sensual gratification.

“Lust of the eyes”… greedy longing of the mind.

“The pride of life”… assurance in one’s own resources or the stability of earthly things.

A person without God’s Holy Spirit is flesh. He/she does not have godly spiritual eyes, ears, or a heart to see, hear and comprehend the message that Jesus came to bring. God has the power to judge the living and the dead, and He will. Those who reject Him will suffer His wrath.

THIS MEANS WAR!

Romans 7:14-25 describes Apostle Paul’s past experiences with the Law. Civil war raged between his mind and his flesh. It’s believed that he was hindered from doing the good that he wanted to do and was driven to do the thing that he hated. He was under the Law, trying to come to grips with searching the Law spiritually. The problem he faced was trying to keep the Law that hindered him by internal sin.

When a believer tries to be spiritual by keeping the Law, he becomes more aware of his carnality. His sinful human nature is aroused by the Law. Christians are to live depending on Christ’s life rather than trying to do good works under the Law. The Law is spiritual and could only be kept by one who is perfect spiritually, namely Jesus Christ, the Anointed One.

Therefore, Paul wrote, “I am carnal” (speaking of his life prior to conversion). The natural man is doomed by the Law. The carnal man is defeated by the Law. We know that God’s Law is spiritual, but I am a creature of the flesh [worldly, self-reliant-carnal, and unspiritual], sold into slavery to sin [and serving under its control]” (Romans 7:14 Ampl. Bible).

WHAT MY FLESH WANNA DO!

For I [Paul] do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness – my sinful capacity]. Now, if I habitually do what I do not want to do, [that means] I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good (morally excellent).

So now [if that is the case, then] it is no longer I who do it [the disobedient thing which I despise], but the sin [nature] which lives in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness, my sinful capacity.] For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but doing good is not. For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.

But if I am doing the very thing I do not want to do, I am no longer the one doing it [that is, it is not me that acts], but the sin [nature]. Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and ] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]? (Romans 7:15-24 Ampl. Bible).

For if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you will die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever (Romans 8:13 Ampl. Bible).

THE GLORY OF GOD

We can all relate to what Paul is expressing. The natural man has no power over the flesh unless he subdues his flesh. This is accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one. For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:10a, 23a KJV).”

James 2:10 reads, “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body (James 2:10).

However, the Glory of God is the beauty of His Spirit. This Glory can crown man or fill the earth. The Glory of man is the beauty of man’s spirit, which is fallible and eventually passes away. But the Glory of God is manifested in all His attributes together, they never pass away. His Glory is eternal.

God has made no charges that He has not substantiated. The proof is clear and convincing. There is no appeal and no reversal of the verdict.

IN CONCLUSION

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves” Ephesians 2:8).

The righteousness of God is not a law-righteousness, but a faith-righteousness. It comes by faith in Jesus Christ and is imparted to all believers. Faith is God’s gracious gift. To believe is to respond to God’s generous gift, exercising the faith He offers to all (Romans 3:21-22).

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lust against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the Law (Galatians 5:15-18).

Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love joined with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible love.

If you’re in a battle with yourself and need salvation, click here.

Photos: #1 – Jeanie Martin Ministries; Other Photos Credit Unknown

Resources: The Holy Bible, Amplified Version & KJV; The Complete Bible Library Study Bible;

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