OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh." -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 24 of 44
WARRING AFTER ANOTHER ORDER
Paul will not deny his humanness, or relation to Adam. He will, however, deny the prevalence of that portion of his person. He neither conducts his life nor his spiritual warfare in the energy of "the flesh." He is aligned with the God of heaven, in fellowship with Christ, and indwelt by the Spirit of God. He will not oppose his enemies in the lowlands of flesh and blood.
THOUGH WE WALK IN THE FLESH
"For though we walk in the flesh . . . " Other versions read, "For though we live in the world" (NIV), "Indeed, we live as human beings" (NRSV), "For though we may be living in the flesh" (BBE), "For although we are human" (NJB), "It is true that I am an ordinary, weak human being" (LIVING), "For, though we are still living in the world" (WEYMOUTH), "For though I do still live the life of a physical human creature" (WILLIAMS), and "The truth is that, although of course we lead normal human lives" (PHILLIPS).
In the sense of this text, those in Christ, who remain in the world, have no choice but to "walk in the flesh." This is the only place in any major version of Scripture that uses the expression: "walk in the flesh." Romans 8:4 uses the expression "who walk not AFTER the flesh" (KJV), or "who do not walk ACCORDING to the flesh" (NKJV). Romans 8:8-9 refers to being "in the flesh", as distinguished from being "in the Spirit." The idea is that of being "controlled" (NIV) by "the flesh," and not as walking "in the flesh" as used in our text.
Here, when Paul says "we walk in the flesh," he means that life is being lived unto God while dwelling in a mortal frame. This is having the "treasure" of the "knowledge of the glory of God" in an "earthen vessel," as affirmed in Second Corinthians 4:7. This is the condition in which the saints of God remain incognito, their true identity being hidden by the veil of their "mortal flesh" (2 Cor 4:11). In this sense, being "walk in the flesh" is the same as Peter referring to himself being "in this tabernacle" (2 Pet 1:13-14). It is the same as being "in the body" (Heb 13:3).
There is a seen part of the children of God that is perishing, as distinguished from an inward part that is experiencing constant renewal. As it is written, "but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day" (2 Cor 4:16). It is this part – the "outward man," or the "earthen vessel" – that leads some to imagine they can oppose the saints without suffering any consequences. According to appearance, the saved seem to be no different from anyone else. This does not take into consideration what they do, but how they appear. However, you may rest assured that those who have been reconciled to God (Col 1:20-21), washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Cor 6:11), are NOT the same as other men! Those in whom the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit dwell (1 John 4:15; Col 1:27; Rom 8:11) are NOT to be considered in the same category as those in whom They do not dwell. There is infinitely more to the people of God that what men see!
Paul will now affirm that the war in which he is engaged is not fought after the manner of men. There is a dimension to whom that sharply contrasts to what men could see of him with their eyes. He, like all believers, was a "partaker of Christ" (Heb 3:14), and a "partaker of the Divine nature" (2 Pet 1:4). That part of him, however, was not being considered by his critics.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to live and walk in the Spirit, subduing and overcoming the part of me that is knit with this world.