THE HOLY SPIRIT and SONSHIP Devotion 5 of 30 No believer, or person in Christ, follows the dictates of the flesh because of obligation: "we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh" (NASB). To live "according to the flesh" is to obey its lusts, or desires. It is to cave in to the conflict described in the seventh chapter of Romans. Living according to the flesh is conducting our lives as though this world was the primary one, and the satisfaction of our earthly natures was preeminent. WHEN SPIRITUAL DEATH IS INEVITABLE "For if you live according to the flesh you will die . . . " The words are undeniably strong in every translation. Some examples follow. "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die" (KJV), "if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die" (NIV), "if ye live according to flesh, ye are about to die" (DARBYS), "if you go in the way of the flesh, death will come on you" (BBE), "if you keep on following it, you will perish" (NLT), "If you do live in that way, you are doomed to die" (NJB), "If you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh you will surely die" (AMPLIFIED). The idea is not merely that sometime you will die, but that death is imminent, at hand, and about to happen at any moment. REMINISCENT OF EDEN The words are reminiscent of the first Divine prohibition: "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen 2:17). The death of which Adam was warned was as real as the life he was experiencing. Because God had made Adam and put him into the Garden was no reason to imagine he would not die if he did what was forbidden. His life had come from God's own breath (Gen 2:7), but it would leave Adam if he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The death would occur "in the day," or when, he did what was banned. LIVING ACCORDING TO THE FLESH This is NOT a word to the unregenerate. To say this to someone outside of Christ would be superfluous. They are already dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1-3), are condemned already (John 3:18), and the wrath of God is already upon them (John 3:36). TO THOSE WHO ARE JUSTIFIED The "you" of our text are those who are in Christ Jesus. It is the same ones told they had "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." It refers to those who struggle with the conflict delineated in the seventh chapter (7:15-25). It addresses those who are emphatically told "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (8:1). ACCORDING TO THE FLESH To live "according to the flesh" is to live in agreement with, and subordination to, "the law of sin" that is in our "members" (7:23,25; 8:2). It is to follow the course of nature, without regard to the life of Christ and the direction of the Holy Spirit. IF IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY If all across our land, professing believers were to suddenly take hold of this word with both hands, there would be such a revolution within the churches the gates of hell would be shaken! Entire church programs would be changed. Multitudes of staff members would be relieved of their duties. The thrust of Christian education would change. LIVING WITH NATURE BEING CENTRAL Living according to the flesh is living with this world viewed as being primary. Such an approach to life perceives the needs and preferences of the body and life in this world as the most important. Little, if any, regard is given to the end of this world, the world to come, or standing before the Lord. – Tomorrow:
"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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17, NKJV)
A person in Christ who reverts to living according to the flesh has chosen to do so. Because there is no obligation in Christ to live in that manner, the person doing so has succumbed to the delusion of the wicked one and the cries of his own flesh. It is imperative that this be acknowledged. The teaching that follows is unusually strong, confirming the blessedness of having no obligation to "the flesh."
All of the strength of that first prohibition is in our text. It is to be approached with all of the sobriety required of Adam. Men may formulate theologies that attempt to neutralize this text, robbing it of its powers, but they will have no effect upon the Word of God. Just as surely as it was not possible for God to lie in Genesis 2:7, it is not possible for Him to lie in Romans 8:13. The death is real, not metaphorical.
NOT TO THE UNREGENERATE
If there is any doubt about this, the Spirit opens this teaching by saying, "Therefore, brethren, we . . . " (v 12). There is, then, no question about who is being addressed. This is a word for Christians. It is a word for the churches.
This warning is sounded because "the flesh" is still with us. As long as we are "in the body," we must contend with our fallen natures. While we have no obligation to "the flesh," and are indwelt by One who is "greater than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4), we must take care not to assume our safety. Our faith is the only victory we possess (1 John 5:4-5)!
In my judgment, this warning ("if you live after the flesh you shall die" ) is one of the least acknowledged truths among professed believers. Perhaps many who wear the name of Jesus have not even heard these words. It is certainly not fashionable to declare them, and that is why we hear so little of it.
The purported scholars would lose their prominence. Motivators and psychologists would no longer have a place among believers. Religious structures like multipurpose centers and entertainment organizations would be moved to the back of the church's agenda, if, indeed, a place was found for them at all. Men would not be venerated because of their education, degrees, or lofty titles.
The landscape of the Christian music world would be so altered one would scarcely be able to recognize it. Many who have been viewed as leaders in the local congregation, like elders, deacons, and various ministers, would be thrust from their offices. Christian literature, religious bookstores, and purveyors of religious paraphernalia would be drastically changed, or be put out of business altogether. The trend of brief meetings, short sermons, and shallow approaches to Scripture would come to a grinding halt. Many popular Christian books would no longer be sold.
Why do I say such things? Because all of these involve concessions to the flesh. They are the result of living according to the flesh, pacifying its desires, and conceding to its demands.
Living "after the flesh" includes, but is not limited to, immorality. Sins like adultery, fornication, sodomy, murder. . . etc., are at the bottom of the moral ladder. A person, however, can live "according to the flesh" without committing such reprehensible deeds. Such a life ignores the appointed occupation of all men, which is to seek the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). It does not lay up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt (Matt 6:19-20). The person living "in the flesh" does not contemplate the return of Christ (Tit 2:13), the judgment day (Heb 9:27), or the subtlety of the devil (Eph 6:10). The Word of God is not perceived as essential to life (Matt 4:4), and plans are made as though this world, and life in it, had no appointed end.
Living "after the flesh" disrupts spiritual life. It is like a wedge forced between God and man, the Redeemer and the redeemed. Those who revert to the flesh no longer view Christ Jesus as essential, as when they first turned to God. Such people are their happiest when their earthly needs and desires are met, and most disappointed when they are not. All such people, if not already dead, are on the verge of dying – of being separated from God.
PRAYER POINT; Father, in the name of Jesus, give me strength to crucify my flesh, and put to death the deeds of the body.