The Flesh and the Spirit

The flesh and the spirit: two contrary natures. Yet, what is the flesh and what is the spirit? How relevant are they in the life of a believer? The Apostle Paul writes in one of his epistles: “For the sinful nature [flesh] desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature [flesh]. They are in conflict with each other…” (Galatians 5:17, NIV). Throughout the book of Romans Paul addresses both the flesh and the Spirit specifically. Indeed, the book of Romans is vital for understanding the differences between living life according to the flesh and life according to the Spirit. Within Romans, Paul continually points out that while walking in the flesh produces death, walking in the Spirit produces life. It is when the believer truly understands this that they can walk victoriously in the Lord.

According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, when speaking of the flesh throughout the book of Romans, Paul uses the Greek word sarx (Strong 80). The “flesh” or the “body” is the literal meaning of this word. However, the word may also be used to describe human nature itself, the physical and moral imperfections of human nature, as well as the passion of human nature. The word sarx symbolizes that which is external. Interestingly, sarx may derive from the base saroo, meaning “a broom” or “to sweep” (Strong 80). Thus, the flesh may be thought of as something that is to be “swept” off. Yet, amidst these definitions, what is the flesh that Paul is referring to? Paul says, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18, KJV). Author Gleason Archer Jr. writes that throughout Romans Paul designates the flesh as “the pull and urge of self-seeking and self-centeredness, which tend to substitute the ego in the place of God – that ego in man which stands over against God and claims separate rights, interests, careers, and plans of its own” (Archer 42). A similar definition would be by author Anders Nygren who writes: “’the flesh’ also characterizes man in his sinful state, his alienation from God, and his will to live only for himself and by his own devices. To live thus without God is to live according to the flesh. But to live according to the Spirit is to live in fellowship with God and His will and to receive all from His hand” (Nygren, 53).

“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh” (Romans 2:28, KJV). Flesh has no claims upon the depth of one’s soul. Rather, it has claims on the outward parts of man. While living in the manner of the flesh, the motions of sin bring death (Romans 7:5) as the law of sin is observed. Paul says that it is while operating in the flesh outside of Christ that condemnation arises (Romans 8:1). According to Romans 8:3, the law is weak and cannot be fulfilled in the flesh. Thus, if the flesh is the standard by which one lives, the result is death (Romans 8:13). Paul heeds against making any provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14). Yet, flesh minds flesh (Romans 8:5). Thus, those in the flesh will fulfill the lusts of the flesh. It is only by putting on Christ Jesus (being led of the Spirit) that one will not gratify or fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Romans 13:14). According to Romans 8:8, those in the flesh cannot possibly please God: “The course of the apostle’s thought seems to be this. They who are in the flesh cannot be pleasing to God; they who are in the spirit cannot but be pleasing to Him” (Brown 201).

Christ came to save those in the flesh. To do so, however, Jesus had to become flesh – truly man. Indeed, Paul writes in his opening chapter: “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh” (Romans 1:3, KJV). However, an important distinction must be made. Although Jesus was flesh, he did not live according to the flesh. Rather, He lived according to the Spirit and “condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3, KJV). If the believer lives under the authority and Lordship of Jesus Christ, he too can live according to the Spirit: “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10, KJV). Flesh cannot glory in the presence of the living God (1 Corinthians 1:29). Therefore, the believer truly desiring to please God must invite the Spirit to dwell within, thereby professing with their actions a Spirit-led life. Thus, understanding what it is that Paul is referring to when he writes about the Spirit is important.

There are several Greek words from which the word “spirit” may derive. Each of these words contributes to the full meaning of “spirit”. Yet, pneuma is the specific Greek word Paul continuously uses throughout the book of Romans. The meaning of this word refers to “a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy Spirit” (Strong 72). What is the role that this definition plays in the life of a believer? What is the Spirit, and how is it relevant to the daily walk of disciple of Jesus? It has been said that the “chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever”. How can this be done? By living according to the Spirit:

“Jesus said to His disciples: ‘Because I live ye shall live also’ (John 14:19). Even the corrupt, carnal and mortal body, so long under the dominion of sin shall be made alive and recovered to the service of God. This will be done by the Spirit that dwells in us because that Spirit has restored life to our souls, abides with us with His purifying influence and because the design and tendency is His indwelling is to purify the entire man and restore all to God” (McLaughlin 135).

Paul beautifully contrasts the Spirit with the flesh throughout Romans. In Romans 2:29, Paul points out that a “true Jew” is one in whom circumcision is inward – of the heart. It is by serving in the newness of the spirit, that the believer is delivered from both the law and death (Romans 2:29). Paul demonstrates this by ending Romans chapter seven in a climactic struggle between the flesh and the law. In the flesh, sin holds captive prisoners, and the demanding requirements of the law cannot be met. Without the Spirit, the law produces death. It is in Romans chapter eight that the wonderful description of life through the Spirit is given:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2, KJV).

It is only through the Spirit that the righteous requirements of the law may be fulfilled (Romans 8:4). Those led of the Spirit will set their minds on the things of the Spirit, which produces life and peace (Romans 8:5). Also, it is through the Spirit that the deeds of the flesh may put to death (Romans 8:13). Thus, the believer no longer has to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Being led of the Spirit also proves that God has indeed adopted those who place their trust in Him as His heirs (Romans 8:14). Not only may the believer know God, but the believer may also belong as a child of God. The Spirit bears witness to this (Romans 8:16). The believer that walks in the Spirit also walks in the power of the living God (Romans 15:19).

The conflict between the flesh and the Spirit is very real in the life of a Christian. As Christians, though, we are called to live not according to the flesh, but according to the same Spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the dead. Jesus served as an example of One who walked in the Spirit, and He calls His followers to do so as well. By doing so, the Spirit produces victory in the life of the believer. Without the Spirit, fulfilling the law in the flesh will only produce death. It is in the flesh that the cry of believers will be the same as that of Paul: “O wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:24) Yet, the children of God have a calling upon them. It is a call to yield not to unrighteousness, but to righteousness. Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we can walk in His righteousness in the Spirit. Let us therefore throw off the flesh, and let us walk in the fullness of the Spirit.

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24-25, KJV).