OVERCOME THE LUST OF THE FLESH (1)

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the LUST of the FLESH” – Galatians 5:16

In Christ, the Believer is empowered to OVERCOME THE LUST of the FLESH: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the LUST of the FLESH” (Gal.5:16). As we’ve noted 1 John 2:15 identifies three dimensions of worldliness that the Believer must overcome. Worldliness is anything that draws our hearts away from God. Specifically, the lust of the flesh speaks of any wicked or evil desires stirred by our physical or emotional needs, particularly the desire for pleasures. The lust of the eyes speaks of any evil desires stirred by the things that we sense or see and covet, including the desires for passion and possessions. The pride of life speaks of any evil desires motivated by pride, power, prestige, and popularity, including manifestations of self-righteousness.

Lust is an intense desire for an object or circumstance such as sexuality, money, or power; it is to indulge or content oneself, often at the expense of others. At the heart of it, lust desires to take – in contrast to love, which desires to give. The Lust of the Flesh is therefore driven by the desire for worldly, selfish pleasures, which draw one’s heart away from God and ultimately leads to death. As 1 John 2:15 states, worldly desires are not from God. They are the results of sin, which “infected” the world through man’s disobedience. They reflect the desire to be independent, or to be like, the Creator, having authority over one’s own life. Humans are created with appetite, a natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, but this can become sinful lust if it is overwhelming toward the things God forbids.

The neutral, literal meaning of the word “flesh” refers to the human body, the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood (Gen.2: 23-24). Figuratively however, “flesh” is often used with a negative connotation, referring to making actions or decisions according to self, done apart from faith, and proceeding out of the part of man that is not transformed by God. According to Paul, we all were by nature children of wrath, who once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind (Eph.2:3). Our sinful nature was evidenced by our inclination toward seeking our own interests in disobedience and rebellion against God, the Law Giver. By the rich mercy and great Love of Christ however, we are made alive and raised up together with Him (Eph.2: 4-6).

Nonetheless, the desire of the flesh and the desire of the Spirit are always “at war” in our lives: “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh” (v.17a). The consequences of following the desires of the flesh, are apparent: “…adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like…” (vv.19-21a). Adultery is sexual immorality. Uncleanness and lewdness are lustful desires and filthy or profane pleasures. Paul affirmed that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (v.21b). Just as we cannot love both God and the world (including worldly things), we cannot live both in the Spirit and in the flesh.

The lust of the flesh ultimately leads to death, but walking in the Word and by the Spirit lead to life. Our Lord says, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (Jh.6:63b). Romans 8:13 says, “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.” Believers can overcome the lust of the flesh by God’s Word and Spirit; that is, abiding in God’s Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives – walking in the spirit (v.16). The winner is who we feed more. As we meditate and abide in God’s Word, we will manifest the fruit of the Spirit, and be quickened and empowered to OVERCOME the LUST of the FLESH!