The core of spiritual life lies in choosing between the soul and the body, a choice underscored by the biblical principle that "those who are in the flesh cannot please God." This is further elaborated by the Apostle Paul's assertion that "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."
The parable of the traveler attacked on the road to Jericho illustrates this conflict. The priest, representing the flesh, offered no aid, while the Samaritan, symbolizing the spirit, provided salvation and incurred debt for the injured man. This signifies that true relief and indebtedness are found in the spirit, not the flesh. The scripture reminds us, "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
Believers are urged to place greater importance on their spirit than their physical being. The mindset of those living according to the flesh is fixed on carnal desires, leading to spiritual death, whereas a spiritual mind brings "life and peace," as it is "enmity against God." The author posits that future hardships will stem not from suffering, but from a lack of spirituality, with many succumbing to spiritual death by neglecting their souls for the sake of their bodies.
Jesus' encounter with the man sick for thirty-eight years highlights this dichotomy. When told to take up his mat, some objected based on Sabbath laws. The healed man, however, deferred to the authority of the one who restored him, questioning why man-made rules should supersede divine power.
"For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." This verse points to Christ's role in overcoming sin in the flesh.
The article introduces a stark contrast: Jesus as the shepherd and Bishop of the soul, versus the devil as the shepherd and bishop of the body. It poses the question of preference, referencing Esau's regret after choosing his physical desires over his spiritual inheritance.
Divine love, it is suggested, often manifests as chastisement of the body for the purification of the soul. "For whom the Lord loves, He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." God, like a father, prioritizes the soul's refinement, sometimes through sorrow rather than immediate pleasure. The goodness of God, paradoxically, leads to repentance and can involve making individuals cry to foster spiritual growth.
The Psalmist's call to "Bless the Lord, O my soul" resonates more deeply than a blessing upon the physical body, indicating that true divine goodness is directed towards the soul. While soul blessings may be challenging for the flesh, they are invaluable because the soul is eternal, unlike the expendable body.
This is exemplified in the instruction to "Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus," suggesting that sometimes, physical ruin serves the ultimate salvation of the spirit.
A constant internal conflict, the battle between flesh and spirit, rages for dominance. "For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do; and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has his way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. These two forces within us are constantly fighting each other to win control over us, and our wishes are never free from their pressures."
The flesh actively resists spiritual disciplines: it prefers eating to fasting, entertainment to prayer, and worldly engagement to biblical study. It favors conflict over peace, assertion over humility, and victory over loss, seeking human approval over divine acceptance.
When the flesh is satisfied, it is a sign that God is displeased. "So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you." Any gratification that boosts pride or self-esteem is likely carnal, not spiritual.
Conversely, actions that feel difficult or undesirable yet align with divine will are Spirit-led. The light of believers should shine to glorify God, not themselves.
"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption." This reinforces the perishable nature of the physical.
The internal war is further described: "I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."
This perpetual struggle dictates that believers should place "no confidence in the flesh." Recognizing that "all flesh is grass" and ephemeral, one must question any lingering reliance on physical strength or desires.
"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find." This confirms the irredeemable nature of the flesh.
Ultimately, "So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God," underscoring the imperative to live according to the Spirit.
Contact is provided for the author, Femi Aribisala, via email at [email protected] and his website www.femiaribisala.com.
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