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flesh and some of the good produced by Christians may be also a work of the flesh. This is why many
"good" church programs fail. It is vitally important to distinguish between that which is flesh and that
which is Christ.
The self-life can vary from poorly adjusted flesh to well-adjusted flesh. It can look exceedingly
corrupt or exceedingly good. Flesh means much more than overt sinful activity. It may not look self-
centered; it can look philanthropic, or self-depreciating. Many humanists of our day can look godly.
It is important for you to spot your own flesh and to see it for what it is. Will you pray that the Holy
Spirit would convict you of its destructive work in your life?
Common Characteristics of Flesh
Flesh is a controller.
It controls to keep God at a distance, to keep the world or circumstances from
overwhelming us, to control others, to protect us from control, to control our
emotions and not to show weakness. Methods of control are many and varied such
as a critical attitude ("you never could do anything right"), body language (scowls,
frowns), silent treatment, hostility (temper, violence, abuse), seductive behavior,
blackmail, intimidation, parental favoritism, passivity, manipulation (false guilt,
self-pity, flattery), overt laws and punishment, religion, and overprotection. Control
can be exercised out of strength or weakness.
Flesh is self-protective, physically, emotionally and mentally.
Self-protection can take the form of excuse making, justifying behavior, shifting
blame, withdrawing, inability to make decisions or take responsibility, and lying.
Flesh is multi-faceted.
It is one problem with many tentacles, or symptoms. Paul describes this very well
in Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:
immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, disputes, dissension, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing,
and things like these. . . “such as bitterness, passivity, pride, impatience. If you
choose to deal with symptoms only, prepare yourself for a never-ending task. Flesh
can generate symptoms faster than they can be dealt with. And if one or more
symptoms are dealt with successfully, pride can rear its ugly head. Do you see the
pervasiveness of the flesh?
Flesh is a captive and a victim.
If man lives by his natural resources (flesh), the Bible says he will self-destruct.
"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death"
(Proverbs 14:12). The reason for this is that man in his own strength is no match for
Satan and his powers; thus, the enemy of our souls will arrange for man to be
overcome by somebody or something. Sooner or later, man succumbs and/or is
overcome by some bondage, and hopefully, will recognize the need for deliverance.
Can you see why Christ said he would set the captives free?
Flesh is deceptive.
Flesh is like a chameleon which disguises itself by assuming the color of its
environment. Jacob demonstrated this by wearing animal skins. Our flesh can
disguise itself even as spirit. Take a new believer and surround him with a Christian
environment (church, school, home) and he will learn how to act so as to disguise
his flesh. Likewise, just as non-Christians can produce imitations of the fruit of the
Spirit – something that looks like love, joy, etc. – so too the Christian living in self-
sufficiency can produce imitation fruit.
"good" church programs fail. It is vitally important to distinguish between that which is flesh and that
which is Christ.
The self-life can vary from poorly adjusted flesh to well-adjusted flesh. It can look exceedingly
corrupt or exceedingly good. Flesh means much more than overt sinful activity. It may not look self-
centered; it can look philanthropic, or self-depreciating. Many humanists of our day can look godly.
It is important for you to spot your own flesh and to see it for what it is. Will you pray that the Holy
Spirit would convict you of its destructive work in your life?
Common Characteristics of Flesh
Flesh is a controller.
It controls to keep God at a distance, to keep the world or circumstances from
overwhelming us, to control others, to protect us from control, to control our
emotions and not to show weakness. Methods of control are many and varied such
as a critical attitude ("you never could do anything right"), body language (scowls,
frowns), silent treatment, hostility (temper, violence, abuse), seductive behavior,
blackmail, intimidation, parental favoritism, passivity, manipulation (false guilt,
self-pity, flattery), overt laws and punishment, religion, and overprotection. Control
can be exercised out of strength or weakness.
Flesh is self-protective, physically, emotionally and mentally.
Self-protection can take the form of excuse making, justifying behavior, shifting
blame, withdrawing, inability to make decisions or take responsibility, and lying.
Flesh is multi-faceted.
It is one problem with many tentacles, or symptoms. Paul describes this very well
in Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:
immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, disputes, dissension, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing,
and things like these. . . “such as bitterness, passivity, pride, impatience. If you
choose to deal with symptoms only, prepare yourself for a never-ending task. Flesh
can generate symptoms faster than they can be dealt with. And if one or more
symptoms are dealt with successfully, pride can rear its ugly head. Do you see the
pervasiveness of the flesh?
Flesh is a captive and a victim.
If man lives by his natural resources (flesh), the Bible says he will self-destruct.
"There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death"
(Proverbs 14:12). The reason for this is that man in his own strength is no match for
Satan and his powers; thus, the enemy of our souls will arrange for man to be
overcome by somebody or something. Sooner or later, man succumbs and/or is
overcome by some bondage, and hopefully, will recognize the need for deliverance.
Can you see why Christ said he would set the captives free?
Flesh is deceptive.
Flesh is like a chameleon which disguises itself by assuming the color of its
environment. Jacob demonstrated this by wearing animal skins. Our flesh can
disguise itself even as spirit. Take a new believer and surround him with a Christian
environment (church, school, home) and he will learn how to act so as to disguise
his flesh. Likewise, just as non-Christians can produce imitations of the fruit of the
Spirit – something that looks like love, joy, etc. – so too the Christian living in self-
sufficiency can produce imitation fruit.
