The Struggle of the Flesh
Galatians 5:16-26
In Galatians 5, Paul uses the term “flesh” to describe the part of our lives that stands in opposition to God. The fruit of the Spirit, or the evidence of Christ’s life in us, includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The evidence of the flesh includes: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissension in our relationships, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.
The flesh is not so much tangible in nature as it is revealed in our attitudes, desires, and lifestyles. Never think that just because you serve the Lord you won’t be caught up in the trappings of the flesh. A person can serve God, make a wonderful public impression, and still be living in the flesh.
The central focus of the Spirit-filled life must always be Jesus Christ, while the primary focus of the flesh is self – self-will, self-assertion, self-love, self-indulgence, self-pity, self-reliance, self-consciousness, self-righteousness, and self-glorification.
However, we do not have to serve the desires of the flesh. As children of God, we have been given the power to say no to our old way of living and thinking. Ask the Lord to reveal any evidences of the flesh in your life. Be willing to allow Him to strip away all that does not glorify Him.
Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries