As I sit in Bixby's preparing for my gospel meeting in Pine City, MN (April 16-21) I have been reminded once again of the terrible consequences that will befall the children of God when they continue to have "the mind set on the flesh." Paul wrote: (Rom 8:6-8) "… mind set on the flesh is death … because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God." The mind set on the flesh is a mind that is determined to indulge the flesh – to keep it happy by giving it what it wants. Such a mind cannot please God and is certain death! We must overcome our flesh!
Some have suggested that it can be overcome isolating one’s self from the world (living in a monastery), by taking vows of poverty, vows of celibacy, by flagellation, by fasting for long periods of time. While Paul admits (in Col 2) that these solutions have "… the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body… " he goes on, to say that such things “are of no value against fleshly indulgence.” As much as they try, the flesh cannot be subdued in this fashion! How then, can it be controlled? With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible; and God has not only made it possible for us to control the flesh, but He has shown us the way: (Gal 5:16) "… walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." And in the verse that follows he explains why? (Gal 5:17) "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please."
The flesh and the Spirit are opposites in every way imaginable. One who is controlled by the Spirit will never do those things that he would do if he were controlled by the flesh. Instead of gratifying the flesh – pandering to it – he is “putting to death the deeds of the body” (Rom 8:13) – which means that he does not allow the body to have its own way - to satisfy its lusts. In Romans Paul calls it “putting to death the deeds of the body” but in Galatians 5:24 he calls it crucifying “the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Christians, we must be "putting to death the deeds of the body!" But are we? If we are bearing the fruit of the flesh we most certainly are not; and, according to Gal 5:19 the fruit of the flesh is “evident”: (Gal 5:19-21) "immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
The works “of the flesh are evident.” The life controlled by the flesh will bear distinctive fruit that makes it obvious the flesh is in control. Likewise, the life controlled by the Spirit makes this manifest by its distinctive fruit. So that there will be no misunderstanding let me repeat: The fruit that is borne in your life makes it obvious who is in control – the flesh or the Spirit. Those who live by the flesh do things that those who live by the Spirit just would not do.
The list that Paul gives falls into four groups: Sexual immorality - fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness. False worship - idolatry, sorcery. Infraction of the law of love - enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger (wraths)... Sins of intemperance (overindulgence) - drunkenness, reveling.
It ought to be obvious that this long list falls short of the infinite varieties of sin – of “deeds of the flesh.” However, Paul takes no chances. He concludes by saying that there are other things “just like these” which could also be added to his list. It would not be time wasted for read Galatians 5 often and re-evaluate our lives. Are men and women of the "of the flesh" or are we "of the Spirit." The fruit that we bear will make this evident. Be honest!
Kieran Murphy
Category: Godly Ethics
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