The Flesh

In thinking of Substitutes for the Spirit I was surprised at how many I came up with.  But then again, we all know what the Scripture says is the antithesis to the Spirit. Therefore we know that susbtitutes for the Spirit can be summed up in one word - flesh.  Thus we know

1. These substitutes will be with us from cradle to grave
2. They will stick to us like skin to our bones
3. They will pervade every area of life
4. They will be selfish alternatives to everything the Spirit is trying to lead us to
5. They will seem far more natural than the Spirit-led path
6. They will appear as a counterfeit Spirit-led path - (not every spirit is from God!)

In fact they will appear as the seemingly harmless desire to serve myself - whether in moral or immoral ways.  And so they are at war with my soul. (1 Pet 2:11).  It's often occured to me that maturity in the Christian life consists largely of identifying these desires of the flesh as precisely that. 

We can identify Spirit-led passions.  They will be:

• Christ-centred
• Word-based
• other-focussed
• cross-shaped

 How are we to identify fleshly thinking?  Ephesians 4:22 is interesting:

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires

Three questions occur to me regarding the 'old self' / flesh:

1. What are the desires of your flesh?  What exactly is the 'old self' telling you about what you need / what you should pursue?
2. How is this old self deceiving you?  Phrase the desire as a blatant lie: e.g. "Your identity/worth/righteousness lies in people thinking you're funny/attractive/clever/'helpful'."
3. How has this fleshly existence corrupted you?  Think how ugly it has made you.

Always, though, the underlying pursuit/lie/corruption of the flesh is my attempt to establish a righteousness of my own. (Phil 3:1-11).  Ultimately the flesh tells me to be justified before heaven and earth on my own account.  Therefore the power which alone is able to mortify my flesh is the gospel.  Because the gospel tells me 'Before and apart from any works, I am clothed in Christ.  My whole identity, status, reputation, past, present and future is taken out of my hands and hidden entirely in Christ.' 

I was crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20)

 To live by this gospel word is to live by the Spirit.  And it is to crucify the flesh.

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