Romans 7:15 For I do not understand what I am doing, because I
do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. 18 For I know that
nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is
right, but not the ability to carry it out.
1 Peter 2:11 (ESV) "Beloved, I urge you... to abstain from the passions of the
flesh, which wage war against your soul."
Enemies of our soul. - it matters.
What is the “Flesh”?
Ephesians 2:3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the
cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest,
we were by nature deserving of wrath.
Who struggles with the FLESH?
5 Things to Know About the Flesh
1. The Flesh Desires the opposite of God's Best
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV) "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will
not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are
against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh..."
2. Flesh Produces Fruit
3 groups of sins
Group 1 Sexual sins
Group 2 - Religious Sins
Group 3 Relationship Sins
● II Tim 2:23 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be
kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful
Gal 6:7-8 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a
person sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap
destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal
life from the Spirit.
3. Victory Starts With Our Mindset
Romans 8:5-8 (ESV) "For those who live according to the flesh set their
minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit
set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
How temptation works
James 1:14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
4. Flesh Can’t Be Fixed
● Gal 5:24 – “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh...”
5. Holy Spirit Helps Us Battle
● Rom 8:13 – “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
● Galatians 5:16 “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
You may be used to letting the flesh rule you...
