The Flesh
A Brief Biblical Study by Rodney “Roc” Foreman
“…For I delight in the
law of God after the inward man: But I see
another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me
into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members….”
Romans 7:22-23
Romans 7:22-23
I’m sure most will agree
that the Christian experience, though filled with glorious bliss and spiritual
triumph, is a consistent war – a battle for victorious living! One of the most
deceiving ideas about the Christian faith is that, human struggle and moral
frailties are lessoned upon one’s complete baptism into the Body of Jesus
Christ. Oh but the contrary is all too familiar and true: There is a great
fight to engage – a great battle to undertake – a great war to be won within the
life of the Christian. This war is the essence of Christian toil and the
underlying factor within the experiences of human affliction.
If the committed
Christian will triumph over the ills of living, live the victorious life and
encounter the promises of God, there is but one enemy that will prove to be
more challenging to the Christian journey than the Devil himself: The Flesh!
Before I enter the “meat”
of this lesson, I would like to first establish one crucially important truth
to serve as the “backbone” of this lesson, which is, ALL Christian warfare will
(both) begin and end in the MIND! There will be no fight if the mind does not
engage it. We will lose automatically! There will be no war if the mind does
not operate correctly, thereby relinquishing immediate victory! It is in the
mind, where the daily Christian battle MUST be encountered - where the victory
must be won! If this were a longer study, I would attempt to prove this fact
with Biblical evidence. I will safely assume, however, that we will arrive at
this particular place of agreement with regard to my assertion. One verse that
comes to mind immediately is…
“…Those who live
according to The Flesh se their minds on the things of The Flesh, but those who live according to The Spirit,
the things of The Spirit… To be carnally (or Fleshly) minded is death, but to
be Spiritually Minded is Life and Peace… Because The Carnal (or Fleshly) mind
is enmity against God; for it is NOT subject to The Law of God, not indeed can
be… So then, those who are in The Flesh CANNOT please God….” Romans 8:5-8
Our headline/parent text (at
the beginning of our lesson) shows us very clearly that although a delight for
God exists, there is a war going on in the mind that could cause me to become
captured by sin – thereby being a prisoner of sin! Many of us (as Christians),
as a result of a poor engagement to fight in this war, have become “prisoners
of war.” I am prayerful that this lesson will help you to be released from this
captivity, and live the life of liberty in Jesus Christ.
“…The Spirit of the
Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings
unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and
the opening of the prison to them that are bound…” Isaiah 61:1
As we move on in this
study, it is very important to note that ALL but two specific (un-related)
accounts in the New Testament, the Greek word translated “Flesh” is the word, “Sarx” (like pronouncing the word “sharks” but without the “h”). Sarx has a very complex meaning by
typology, metaphoric imagery, literal implications and also in more exhaustive
understandings.
SARX, in essence, is the body
in its complete opposition to the Soul and Spirit – the symbol and
representation of all that is humanly external and natural. It is the human
existence in all its frailties and physical passions. This word is a root
word that is derived from a multi-threaded series of revealing words that will
help gain a practical understanding of this lesson.
·
The first of these word-threads, is the word “SAROO”, which is (also from its
derivative meaning) to brush or sweep.
·
The second word-thread of this root is the word,
SURO, which is to drag or draw.
·
The third word in this thread is the word, HAIREOMAI (ha-heer-om-a-hee), which is to take for oneself, prefer or
choose.
·
The fourth of these is the word, AIRO (ah-ee-ro),
which is to lift up, to raise, carry, keep in suspense or make to doubt
Ok, now let us connect
these words to practical applications that will help us understand….
When we understand “The
Flesh”, it is important to capture all that this word entails from its
derivatives. Perhaps a good metaphorical understanding would cause us to see
the reasons our Flesh (Sarx) is in complete opposition to
God. The image of “brushing” or “sweeping” oppositionally (Saroo) could suggest
we’re removing what benefits our lives from in front of us. Simply put, our
flesh is prone to reject truth, wisdom, sound instruction and clarity! It is also
clear in scripture that The Flesh is “drawn” away (Suro) in temptation and
lust (James 1:14 ). Metaphorically, we often “drag” (or
hinder) ourselves when operating in the fleshly nature, and is always self-seeking,
self-choosing, self-serving and self-preferred (Haireomai). Furthermore,
The Flesh is proud, pompous, dangerous and without the ability to believe (Airo).
Isn’t this interesting to
see? Our Flesh, if empowered to assume control, brushes away and rejects ALL
that is good, always seeks to draw away from good in order to yield to
temptation and lust, is ALWAYS self-serving and self-preferred and NEVER
maintains any kind of ability to believe God. In fact, The Flesh is ALWAYS
against God! ALWAYS! WOW!
The issues, then, becomes
WHO or WHAT will assume control if The Flesh doesn’t? My friends, THIS is the
WAR! THIS is the BATTLE
“…This I say then,
Walk in The Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of The Flesh. For The Flesh lusts
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….” Galatians 5:16-17
Time doesn’t permit me to speak to the
issue of “Control”, and that being “Spiritual Control”, because there can be no
other form of control except that which The Spirit of God assumes COMPLETE
POWER – where Jesus Christ assumes Lordship, Preeminence and is seated on The
Throne of our hearts and lives altogether!
“…Do not let sin REIGN in your mortal
body, that you should OBEY it in its lusts….” Romans 6:12
My Brothers and Sisters, WHOEVER (and
whatever) is “Reigning” is King, Lord and Master… The Boss! He/She or IT has
FULL CONTROL and calls ALL “the shots” in your life! He/She or It ALWAYS gets
what they desire and wants, WHENEVER they desire it and whenever they want it!
The Flesh, at all times, will ALWAYS seek to please itself and NOT God… NOT
EVER!
“…For they that are after the flesh do
mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of
the Spirit….” Romans 5:8
It is crucial for us to understand
that The Flesh, at its best state, has absolutely NOTHING to offer us for the
life application and success of healthy living, and any attempts to challemge
this Truth will prove failing everytime!
"…Therefore bretheren, we are debtors – NOT to
The Flesh to live according to The Flesh… For if you live according to The
Flesh you will die, but if by The Spirit you put to death the deeds of The
Body, you will LIVE….” Romans 8:12-13
Finally, it is VITAL for us to
maintain the necessary diligence to defeat The Flesh each waking day of our
lives! There is a GREAT war going on, and our lives and eternity are hanging in
the balance. This war is NOT one that we can lessen our aggressiveness and
resolve to WIN, but enhance the intensity of the fight by relinquishing our
lives and Will to THE ONE who can NEVER be defeated: The Lord of Hosts… The
King of Glory!
“…Who is this King of Glory? The Lord
Strong and Mighty; The Lord Mighty in Battle… Lift up your heads, O You gates,
Even lift them up you everlasting doors and The King of Glory shall come in…
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Host, HE is The King of Glory….” Pslams 24:8-10
Keep WINNING!!!
Roc
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