Overcoming The Flesh

OVERCOMING THE FLESH

By Apostle Felix

6  For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace. 

7  In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and refuses to submit to his direction, because it cannot! 

Romans 8: 6, 7

The words flesh and carnality are used interchangeably, especially in the King James version. The word carnal or the flesh comes from a Greek word, sarx. The word sarx refers to the human nature with its frailties and passions. The frailties and passions of man are largely to do with the mind. Jesus said that the state of the mind determines the direction of one’s life.

45  People are known in this same way. Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit. But out of the evil hidden in their hearts, evil ones will produce what is evil. For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words. 

Luke 6: 45

The heart Jesus referred to is not a biological heart, an organ that distributes blood in the human body. No, he referred to the soul of man. Words do not come from the biological heart, but they do come from the soul, which is a store house of thoughts. Thoughts are simply words yet to be expressed, stored up in the mind. Evil thoughts, will result into evil words. This is the reason why, one cannot just speak a word that is not lodged in the mind as a thought.

34  But you who are known as the Pharisees are rotten to the core! You’ve been poisoned by the nature of a venomous snake. How can your words be good and trustworthy if you are rotten within? For what has been stored up in your hearts will be heard in the overflow of your words! 

Matthew 12: 34

Your life cannot be better than the words in your mind. It is not possible to rise above the content of your heart. You are what the heart is. So then, the flesh is more to do with an individual’s mindset. The mind has the power to decide against God. The greatest enemy of God is not satan and his pimps, but it is a mind that is hostile towards God. This is the reason why apostle Paul said in Romans 8: 8, that God does not find pleasure with one who is controlled by the flesh, or a mindset that is contrary to the word of God.

8  For no matter how hard they try, God finds no pleasure with those who are controlled by the flesh. 

Romans 8: 8

In Christ Jesus, we have died to the flesh and we are now alive to God. We were buried together with Him in His death and rose with Him when He resurrected from the dead. Jesus’ death and resurrection, freed man from the law that empowered the flesh and man was brought under grace, that empowers the spirit man. Any attempt to live by the law, facilitates the empowerment of carnality. We do not overcome the flesh by observing the law. Rather, carnality is subdued by willingly submitting ourselves to Jesus’ atoning work, and live under His grace. Jesus made a public invitation to the religious folks, who were burdened under the weight of the law and traditions of men.

28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

Matthew 11: 28 – 30