- Jul 13, 2012
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That accounts the flesh for what it is. What that does NOT mean is that the flesh is actually dead or that the flesh has no lusts because that posture is NOT true to scriptures.
The flesh does indeed have sinful desires that are opposed to the desires of the Spirit.
Gal. 5:17 is the truthful measure of the flesh in it's current state, regardless. It is contrary to and against the Spirit, just as Paul says it is. Were it really dead it would not be against the Spirit, it would be really dead. It would have no active state of contrariness or "lusts" against the Spirit.
The best way to glean the truth from the scriptures, is to write out the scripture plainly, and refer to the actual language of the scripture.
Constantly stating your opinion, which doesn't refer to the language of the scripture, and only posting a reference or scripture chapter and verse "tag", makes it seem as if you what you are saying is different that what the actual language of the scriptures says.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:17
What I see here:
- The flesh, with it's sinful desires is contrary, opposed, and in opposition to the desires of the Spirit.
- Those who live as a slave to the flesh, are obligated to obey it's lustful desires, even if they don't want to, because the sin embedded in the flesh, and expressing itself through the sinful deeds of the flesh, has become this persons master.
What Paul stated in the previous verse 16:
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Paul tells us plainly that we don't have to be under the dominion of sin, expressing itself through our flesh, to fulfill and do what sin wants to do, but we can walk in the Spirit, and do the things that the Spirit, by which we express the Spirit's fruit of righteousness, as Paul described for us as: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... Self control which means we have the power to resist fulfilling the deeds of the flesh.
Paul ends with saying that those who are Christ's, have crucified the flesh.
Please read the language: have crucified the flesh. This means the flesh is powerless to control and enslave us to do it's will, to obey it's lust's and desires.
JLB