For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
Summary: Teaching someone about things we can see is hard enough. Teaching people about invisible things is immensely more difficult.
Imagine that I had never seen a car before, and it was your job to teach me how to drive. The first thing you would do is show me a car. You might take me for a ride in the car to demonstrate how easy it is to travel by car. You could show me the various parts of the vehicle and describe how they work. Eventually, you might be brave enough to let me sit behind the steering wheel and drive the car myself.
All of this is possible because a car is a physical entity. You can show me the car, and I can see what you are showing me. When we talk about the things of the Spirit and the flesh, we do not have something we both can see. Teaching about invisible things is a much greater challenge.
Now, imagine you are tasked with teaching me to drive, but this time, you cannot let me see inside the vehicle. How would you teach me how to drive? Paul is now teaching us about something we cannot see with our physical eyes. Yet every one of us is capable of “seeing” what Paul is talking about with our inner eye.
When Jesus answers the Pharisees’ questions about the greatest commandment, he divides our invisible self into three parts; heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). Exploring what each of these words means is a separate study, but for now it is enough to know that Jesus is telling us about the invisible world inside each one of us.
We know that we each have a body. That is so obvious that it goes without saying. We can see a body whether it is dead or alive, just like we can see a car from the outside, even if we can’t see what is inside.
Jesus describes what is inside the body as “heart, soul, and mind.” To the best of my understanding, the Bible divides our invisible parts up this way:
When God first created Adam, he “formed a man from the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7), meaning he created the body that the Bible later refers to as “flesh.” Then God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” (Ibid) The Hebrew text describes the breath as God’s breath. Since God is spirit (John 4:24), this is not a breath of air but of spirit. The spirit God put in man gave life to the body of flesh. This is the same force of life that is in all living things.
Life must have been wonderful in those days. The spirit of man was in unity with God, and the flesh was ruled by the spirit. But then came the Fall, also called “original sin.”
We know the story (See Genesis 3:1-7). When the serpent deceived Adam and Eve, he told them what would happen. He said, “For God knows that when you eat from it [the forbidden tree] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3: 5)
God had warned Adam what would happen. He said, “… you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 1:17). He wasn’t speaking of physical death, but of spiritual death. The result of this spiritual death was that the spirit of man was separated from the Spirit of God that created it.
When we are “born again” (John 3:5-8), God breathes his Spirit into us again. The original spirit of life was corrupted by the Fall. The Spirit Jesus offers us is a second chance at true life.
So here we are, sinful people redeemed by the blood of Jesus (Galatians 3:13). Jesus sends his Holy Spirit, and we are suddenly alive again as we were originally intended to be. The difference is that our mind still has to choose Jesus. We still have to drive the car. In the beginning, God’s Spirit drove for us. Now, we have to choose every minute of every day. Will we let God’s Spirit drive or “gratify the desires of the flesh?”
Application: Consciously practice letting God’s Spirit take the lead.
Food for Thought: What is different about the desires of the flesh that set them apart from the Spirit?
I believe at the very basic level the desires of the flesh “take” from others, while the Spirit “gives” to others. When I say “take” I don’t mean accepting from someone who freely and willingly gives, I mean stealing away from them their freedom, hope, security, and dignity (the list is too long). Tearing others down to satisfy ourselves. The desires of the flesh place ourselves above others, and places ourselves above God. Living in the Spirit is giving to others, as Christ gives to us. Caring for, protecting, building up. Living in the Spirit is recognizing God’s holiness and righteousness, and emulating that with others. The thing is, pursuing the desires of the flesh not only tears others down, but they tear us down as well. Pursuing the desires of the flesh lead to death. Living in the Spirit brings life, from the source of life.
2 Peter 1:4 By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
Chris,
I like the way you have condensed this topic to “takers” and “givers.” Nicely put!
Good comments and verses CH. well said.
I also think that in the remainder of Galatians chapter 5, Paul answers this question very well.
Galatians 5: 17 – 26: For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever c you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Thank you, Rich!
I agree. Paul builds his arguments extremely well!
What is different about the desires of the flesh that set them apart from the Spirit?
Desires of the flesh come from our human nature, are self centered, demand instant gratification, give only temporary satisfaction and are easily replaced as one decreases and another becomes desirable.
Desires of the Spirit come from God. They are Christ centered, have strength over the flesh, yet must always be received in humility, are fulfilled as believers are transformed over time by God. They have eternal, power and seek to give love and peace to others as it is received from God.
Ephesians 2:1-3, All are dead in our transgressions and sins. By nature, we follow the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air. Disobedient spirits are at work in us as we chose lives gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature, following its desires and thoughts. And by nature are objects of wrath.
John 8:32, In Christ we know the truth, and the truth sets us free. Jesus Christ the Son came to set us free and in Him we are free indeed.
Romans 8:9, Our Lord had Paul write to us. Having the Spirit living in you is what connects us to Christ. He reminds us, “You … are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”
Thank you, Ron!
One of the things I take from your comment is that we need to know Christ if we are to have any hope of knowing the Spirit.
I had the song Jesus take the wheel stuck in my head the whole time reading this daily devotional blog.
Nice!! This post now has an official theme song! 🙂
Thanks, Tim!