LED BY THE SPIRIT

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17)

Devotion 12 of 20

WHAT IS "THE FLESH"?

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Rom 8:1). As used in this text, the term "flesh" is especially important. The significance of its usage cannot be deciphered from the original language; it must come from the doctrinal context in which it is used. Freedom from condemnation is ONLY for those who are "in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh . . . " The remarkable circumstance is this, "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom 8:8). It is not possible to successfully contradict this affirmation. No one can "please God" while being dominated by the flesh. The reason for this is obvious; "the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom 8:7). The NIV translates this verse, "the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." It is not that the unregenerate mind is simply out of agreement with God. It goes much deeper than this. It is hostile against God, and aggressively so.

Jesus declared, "the flesh is weak" (Matt 26:41) and "the flesh profiteth nothing (counts for nothing, NIV)" (John 6:63). Paul declared, "with my flesh I serve the law of sin," and that in the flesh dwells "no good thing" (Rom 7:18,25). In an arresting summary of the human situation Paul wrote, "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. For to be carnally (fleshly-- sarx) minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom 8:5-6).

Because of this situation, the affirmation of the Spirit is, "for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die" (Rom 8:13, NASB). God will not allow a person walking after the flesh to enter into His abode. It is not possible to be accepted by God and be driven by the "natural man." Simply put, everything inducted by the natural birth is "flesh," whether it is emotional, intellectual, or physical. In the words of Jesus, "That which IS born of the flesh is flesh" (John 3:6).

The "flesh" is the natural, or unregenerate part of us. It is everything about us that is NOT included in the "new creation" (2 Cor 5:17). It is the part we have from Adam--that can be traced back to him (Rom 5:15-20; 1 Cor 15:45). Think of it as the unstable part of our persons--capable of being dominated by Satan. The "flesh" is what necessitated the new birth. There is nothing about that part of our nature that is accepted by God, or can please God. The Spirit leads us in subduing "the flesh" in order that we might please God and do His will.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You in Jesus name for giving me the Holy Spirit, to lead me in crucifying the flesh and ending its dominion over me.

-- TOMORROW: WHAT IS THE ANSWER --