Keith Mack
The Bible's teachings on the relationship between the flesh and the law are complex. In Romans 8:3-7, it is written that God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. This suggests that following the flesh is weak and that God's law should be followed instead. However, Paul's letter to the Galatians reminds them that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. This contradiction has led to much analysis and interpretation of the role of the flesh and the law in Christian life.
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What You'll Learn
The conflict between the Spirit and the flesh
Paul describes this inner conflict in Romans 7, where he acknowledges the tension between his desire to do what is right and his fleshly impulses that lead him astray. He recognizes that his fleshly desires are at odds with the law of God and can lead to sin and corruption. This conflict is not merely about external acts of sin but also involves our thoughts and motivations.
The flesh, in this context, represents our human nature, with its weaknesses, desires, and inclinations towards sin. It is deceptive and often leads us to believe that we can achieve righteousness through our own efforts and obedience to the law. However, as Paul writes, we are not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. The law, therefore, exposes our weakness and inability to attain perfection on our own.
In contrast, the Spirit represents the divine nature that indwells believers through their faith in Christ. It enables us to live according to God's will and to find peace and freedom. When we follow the Spirit, we set our minds on spiritual things, and our behavior reflects our obedience to God's commandments.
To resolve this conflict, Christians are called to admit their inability to obey God's laws in their own strength and to surrender to the leading of the Spirit. By doing so, they can experience the peace that comes from walking in step with the Spirit and trusting in God's grace. This does not mean that obedience to the law is unnecessary, but rather that it is through faith and the work of the Spirit that we are empowered to obey and live according to God's standards.
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The weakness of the law
Paul wrote to the Galatians, reminding them that they are not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16, 20). He emphasizes that living by the law is living by the flesh, and such works are worthless and corrupt from God's point of view. This is because attempting to live by the law mocks God, as it deviates from His plan for Christians to live, mature, and serve through the Spirit.
The flesh can lead to fleshly behavior, which is not limited to external sins and temptations but also includes a self-centered focus on pleasing others and increasing self-confidence. This can result in wild vacillations between emotions such as discouragement, arrogance, and jealousy. Thus, the weakness of the law is the flesh, and freedom is found only in Christ, who fulfills the law in us through our union with Him.
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The flesh and external sin
Paul's writings, particularly in Romans and Galatians, provide a profound exploration of the flesh and its relationship to the Spirit. In Romans 7, Paul describes the inner conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, acknowledging that the flesh can lead to actions contrary to one's desires. This struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is a central theme in understanding external sin. The flesh can be deceptive, leading individuals to attempt to obey laws or commandments that may be unattainable or even counterproductive to their spiritual growth.
In Galatians, Paul emphasizes that living by the law is not sufficient for salvation. He writes, "a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ" (Galatians 2:16). This idea challenges the notion that following external rules or laws alone is enough to please God. Instead, Christians are called to live by the Spirit, following the lead of Christ, and recognizing the promises made in Christ. By doing so, they can be freed from the dominance of the flesh and find peace.
The flesh, in this context, can be understood as a metaphor for human fallibility and the tendency to succumb to temptation. It represents the part of humanity that is prone to sin and is in conflict with the Spirit, which is associated with Godliness and righteousness. This interpretation highlights the ongoing struggle that Christians face between their earthly desires and their spiritual aspirations.
However, it is important to note that "walking in the flesh" does not solely refer to immoral or degenerate behavior. Instead, it encompasses a self-centered mindset focused on personal achievement and gratification. This type of fleshly thinking can lead to vacillation between emotions like discouragement and arrogance, jealousy, and condemnation. By recognizing and admitting their sins, Christians can turn to God's forgiveness and Christ's righteousness, allowing the Spirit to lead and bringing peace to their lives.
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The flesh and temptation
The flesh, in the context of Christianity, is often associated with external sin and temptation, fleshly desires, and morally corrupt allurements. It is the manifestation of our carnal desires and can lead us astray from God's plan for us.
Paul's letter to the Galatians highlights the conflict between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit. He emphasizes that we cannot be justified by following the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. The flesh, in its deceptive nature, responds to the law by saying, "I can do that," despite our inability to achieve perfection. This is where the temptation lies. We are tempted to believe that we can follow the law and earn our way into heaven. However, Paul clarifies that living by the law is living by the flesh, and such works are worthless and corrupt in God's eyes.
The flesh, or our old self, is in conflict with the Spirit, or our new self, created through faith in Christ. As Paul describes in Romans 7, we struggle with this inner conflict, doing the very thing we hate and agreeing with the law while being unable to carry out our desires to do what is right. This struggle is a constant battle between our fleshly desires and the Spirit's guidance.
To overcome the temptation of the flesh, we must admit our inability to obey God's ways on our own and surrender to the Spirit's lead. As John advises in 1 John 1:7–9, we must come into the light, confessing our sins and holding fast to God's forgiveness and Christ's righteousness. When we live by the Spirit, we find freedom and peace, no longer bound by the condemnation that comes with striving to follow the law through our own efforts.
In conclusion, the flesh and temptation are intertwined in our daily struggles. We are tempted to gratify our fleshly desires and take pride in our own works, but this leads to a cycle of discouragement, arrogance, and condemnation. By recognizing our weakness and submitting to the Spirit, we can walk in the footsteps of Christ, fulfilling the law through our union with Him.
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The flesh and the Christian faith
The concept of "the flesh" is a significant theme in the Christian faith, particularly in the writings of the apostle Paul. In Christian theology, "the flesh" often refers to the sinful nature of humanity and the tendency to gratify carnal desires. This idea is explored in Paul's letter to the Galatians, where he distinguishes between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit.
Paul's teachings on the flesh and the Spirit highlight the inner conflict that Christians experience. In Romans 7, he confesses his struggle between doing what he knows is right and succumbing to the desires of the flesh. This conflict arises because the "old self" or the "old man" has been crucified, and a "new man" has been created, indwelt by the Spirit. This new nature is now at odds with the fleshly desires of the individual.
The flesh, in this context, represents our human weakness and inclination towards sin. It is deceptive, leading us to believe that we can achieve perfection and keep the law through our own efforts. However, as Paul writes, "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose" (Galatians 2:21). This emphasizes that salvation is not attained through following the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.
Living by the flesh is contrasted with living by the Spirit. When individuals allow the Spirit to lead, the flesh takes a backseat, and they experience peace. This peace comes from recognizing that obedience to the law will not earn them a place in heaven, nor will disobedience exclude them from it. Instead, their salvation is secure through their faith in Christ.
To walk according to the Spirit is to set one's mind on the things of God and to be spiritually minded, resulting in life and peace. Christians are called to live by the Spirit, following God's inward law, which releases the power of life and enables them to walk in His ways. This freedom in Christ allows them to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, not through their own strength but through the power of the Spirit dwelling within them.
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Frequently asked questions
Walking in the flesh refers to succumbing to fleshly desires and temptations, such as carnal desire, greed, and jealousy. It is a self-centered focus on trying to please God and others through one's own works and efforts, rather than through faith in God.
According to Romans 8:3-4, the law was weak through the flesh, and God sent His Son to condemn sin in the flesh. This means that the righteous requirements of the law can only be fulfilled in those who walk according to the Spirit, not the flesh.
Living according to the flesh leads to a cycle of discouragement and arrogance, jealousy, and condemnation. It also results in corruption, as any works done in the flesh are considered worthless and corrupt from God's point of view.
Paul describes the inner conflict between the flesh and the Spirit in Romans 7. By admitting our sins and holding fast to God's forgiveness and Christ's righteousness, we can allow the Spirit to lead and find peace.
In Galatians, Paul explains that living by the law is the same as living by the flesh. It is an attempt to live by one's own efforts, which ultimately mocks God and leads to corruption. Instead, we should live by the Spirit and follow Christ's lead.
