3.1.1 Waging War on the Flesh

Everyone is familiar with the feeling of good intentions sliding like grains of sand through your hand. Despite an honest willingness to change, the inner sinful man creeps in again and again, keeping our priorities, goals from being accomplished. The Bible describes this phenomenon as our “flesh,” which fights in us and against us in spite of our redemption. It is important to understand that the flesh is not the same as the person. As a Christian, a person is made new, holy, and just through faith in Jesus (Eph 4:22). The flesh is the old part of the Christian that is selfish and corrupt – a man who depends on oneself and loves sin (Rom 7:14). However, through Jesus’ work and the Holy Spirit unfolding in the Christian, it is possible to resist the flesh – though it is a lifelong process. “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” (Gal 5:17).

In order to withstand everyday life with all its goals and challenges, we must be full of the Spirit and make room for God’s will in our lives. However, we also have a part to play in this area.