The Flesh

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Short Summary
The discourse explores the concept of the flesh as an inherent challenge to spiritual growth, emphasizing the distinction between the flesh and the spirit as taught by Jesus and the apostles. It highlights the ongoing struggle believers face in overcoming the desires and weaknesses of the flesh through faith, humility, and adherence to God’s will, using biblical examples and exhortations to focus on spiritual renewal and unity among believers. Ultimately, it encourages fixing one’s eyes on Jesus as the foundation for overcoming fleshly weaknesses and living a life pleasing to God.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on the Flesh and Its Spiritual Implications

Introduction to the Flesh vs. World and Devil:
– The speaker distinguishes between the flesh, which is always with us, and the external forces of the world and the devil.
– Although the world and devil are formidable, the flesh is often harder to resist because it is internal and constant.

Concept of the Flesh as a “Suit of Clothing”:
– Brother Rick Serasi’s discourse compares the flesh to a suit of clothing worn constantly from birth.
– This “suit” needs constant care and cleansing, symbolizing the ongoing spiritual effort to keep the flesh pure.

Biblical Usage and Meaning of Flesh:
– The word “flesh” appears about 369 times in the Bible, mostly referring to the physical body (human or animal).
– The focus here is on the flesh as an enemy of the new spiritual creature born through Christ, carrying the inherited original sin from Adam.

Scriptural Examples of Flesh vs. Spirit:
Genesis 3:7 introduces the first example of flesh’s effect after the Fall.
– Jesus distinguishes between flesh and spirit in John 3:6: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
– Further teaching in John 6:50-62 about the difficulty of understanding these spiritual truths by the disciples, who found Jesus’ words “a hard saying.”
– Jesus prepares the disciples for His ascension back to the spirit world, emphasizing that flesh and spirit are distinct.

Jesus as the Word Made Flesh:
John 1:14 states, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,” showing the incarnation and the path to salvation through Jesus.
– Salvation depends on Jesus Christ as the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Nicodemus’ Inquiry and Jesus’ Clarification:
– Jesus explains to Nicodemus the necessity of being “born again” spiritually (John 3:3-7).
– After His resurrection, Jesus clarifies in Luke 24:38-40 that spirit does not have flesh and bones, distinguishing the spiritual nature from the physical.

Appropriating Christ’s Life and Sacrifice:
– Believers must “eat his body and drink his blood” figuratively, meaning embracing Jesus’ lifestyle and sacrifice to gain divine nature.
Romans 8:1 assures no condemnation for those “in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
– The command to “put off the old man” with his corrupt desires is found in Ephesians 4:22.

Moral Conduct and Speech:
– Christians are admonished to avoid cursing, swearing, cheating, dishonesty, gossip, slander, and other fleshly sins.
1 Corinthians 1:27 encourages believers to let their conversation be consistent with the gospel of Christ.
– Jesus teaches that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34), emphasizing the need to guard the heart and mind.

Worldly Lusts and the Fleshly Heart:
1 John 2:16 identifies the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life as worldly and not from the Father.
Romans 12:2 and other verses caution against loving the world because it is passing away, but those who do God’s will abide forever.

The Fleshly Mind and Body in the New Creature:
– The flesh includes the mind, mouth, and body, all prone to failure.
– Proverbs 3:5-8 encourages trust in the Lord rather than one’s own understanding.
– The musical *Hair* and its “Flesh Failures” song symbolize the failure of fleshly ideals and civilization’s decay.

Psalm and Proverbs on the Flesh:
Psalm 38:3 admits no soundness in the flesh because of sin.
Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Proverbs 4:23 commands to “keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Jesus’ Example and the Need to Guard the Mind:
– Though perfect, Jesus’ flesh needed heavenly support.
– The importance of guarding what the eyes see, the ears hear, the tongue speaks, the hands do, the feet go, the heart trusts, and the mind thinks is emphasized (reference to children’s Bible camp song).
– Jesus said in Matthew 18:3 that we must be converted to become like little children to enter the kingdom, and in Matthew 18:9, warns to pluck out offending eyes.

The Deceptive Fleshly Heart:
Jeremiah 17:9 declares, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”
– Contrast with Proverbs 23:26: “My son, give me thine heart,” emphasizing the heart God desires.

Enemies of the New Creature:
– The flesh, the world, and the devil are foes; two (world and devil) will be removed in the kingdom, but the fleshly mind remains for the resurrected man to overcome.
– The Church is currently “in the flesh” but endowed with the Holy Spirit, creating a conflict between spiritual desires and fleshly weakness.

Paul’s Description of the Inner Conflict:
Romans 7:15-18 describes the struggle: doing what one hates because sin dwells in the flesh.
– The flesh is incapable of good on its own; the will to do good is present, but the power to perform it is lacking.

Practical Daily Training and Brotherhood:
– Brother Samuel provided daily training items (not detailed here) to help mortify the flesh.
– Believers are encouraged to see brethren as new creatures, not as fleshly beings, promoting respect and unity.
James 1:19-21 advises being quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, and to lay aside filthiness and receive the word that saves souls.

Handling Liberty and Fleshly Desires:
– Paul’s guidance in Romans 14:17-20 teaches that the kingdom is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, not meat and drink.
– Believers should avoid causing offense and seek to edify one another.

Humility as the Weapon Against Flesh:
– Jesus is the ultimate example of humility (Zechariah 9:9) and lowliness of heart, encouraging believers to emulate Him.

Jesus’ Teaching on Care for Fleshly Needs:
Matthew 6:25 instructs to not worry about fleshly needs (food, drink, clothing), but to seek the kingdom of God first.
Philippians 4:6-7 echoes the peace of God guarding hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Conclusion and Exhortation:
– Believers are urged to fix their eyes on Jesus, and as they do so, the things of earth “grow strangely dim” in the light of His glory and grace.

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Key Bible Verses Cited:

– Genesis 3:7
– John 1:14
– John 3:6
– John 6:50-62
– Luke 24:38-40
– Romans 8:1
– Ephesians 4:22
– 1 Corinthians 1:27
– Matthew 12:34
– 1 John 2:16
– Romans 12:2
– Proverbs 3:5-8
– Psalm 38:3
– Psalm 73:26
– Proverbs 4:23
– Matthew 18:3, 9
– Jeremiah 17:9
– Proverbs 23:26
– Romans 7:15-18
– James 1:19-21
– Romans 14:17-20
– Zechariah 9:9
– Matthew 6:25
– Philippians 4:6-7

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This discourse thoroughly explores the biblical concept of flesh as the internal adversary that believers must overcome through spiritual transformation, humility, and reliance on Christ, contrasting flesh with spirit and emphasizing the need for daily spiritual discipline and unity among believers.

Transcript

I got the flesh, and Brother Tim’s going to handle the devil here in a minute. You know, the. The world and the devil are somewhat external to our psyche, but the flesh is with us at all times, and in many ways, the world and the devil are formidable. But however, one might say that they might be more easily resisted than our flesh.

Brother Rick Serasi gave us a good discourse on the flesh and its effect. You know, initially, our. Our flesh is like a suit of clothing that we wear and we never remove. You know, you’ve heard the expression birthday suit, and as we grow and mature and learn to work constantly to keep that suit clean for health purposes and presentation for others to see and appreciate, it’s with us when we sleep, it’s with us when we awaken, and we’re occupied with work and leisure.

But the flesh we want to focus on in our discussion is our carnal mind and its operation, a moral component. The word flesh occurs some 369 times in the Bible. Most of the applications refer, of course, to the physical body, whether it is human or animal. We want to look at the Bible’s treatment of flesh as an enemy of the new creature at birth. We haven’t learned yet to sin willfully, but we do inherit the original sin of Adam.

Our first example is given to us in Genesis 3:7. Jesus gives his followers and us a separation between flesh and spirit. He concentrated a lot on delineating between flesh and spirit because it was a new concept for the apostles. In John 3:6, he says, that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. He speaks to the matter in John 66, verses 50 to 62, about the difference between flesh and spirit.

As Jesus was speaking those things in the synagogue he was teaching, many of his disciples heard this, and they said, this is a hard saying, you know, who can. Who can hear it? So this was a concept, a new concept for them. When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murder murmured, he said, does this offend you? And what shall what.

And if you shall see the Son of man ascend up to where he was before. So he’s talking about the. Where he was headed as a spirit being. Jesus, perceiving the confusion and the amazement at hearing this truth, questions them and asking if his statement offended him. A better translation might be offend, might be stumbled in.

He was obviously aware of their amazement at the preceding words. It wasn’t a rhetorical question. It required an answer. To me, it seems that he was preparing them for his actual return to heaven, to the spirit realm. All of this was way over their heads and it’s given for as food for thought.

Jesus had come from the spirit world and he would return. In the same manner we’re told by the apostle in John 1:14, the word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory as the glory of the One only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. This is the process by which we are saved as part of the Lord’s body now, and how the world will achieve everlasting life in the mediatorial phase of the kingdom. For we read in First Corinthians 3:11 for other foundation can no man lay, that is, that is laid which is Jesus Christ. The superstructure of the character of the Lord’s followers is dependent upon the Christian’s response to Jesus, but the foundation alone is Jesus and his sacrifice.

Furthermore, we learn of a secret conversation between Nicodemus and a leader of the Pharisees and Jesus, in which we have the most direct inquiry and clear explanation on the subject of the Spirit. He tells them that that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit Spirit, marvel not that I say unto thee, ye must be born again. As if the subject of spirit versus Flesh wasn’t fully understood, Jesus upon his resurrection again clarifies it in Luke 24:38 40 and he said unto them, why are you troubled? And why do you thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself handle me and see for spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have.

And when he had thus spoken, he showed him his hands and his feet. We are told that if we do not eat of his body and drink of his blood, we have no life in us. In other words, if we do not appropriate his lifestyle and sacrifice and cross bearing, we will not have the promise of divine nature as the bride of our Lord Jesus. We have the assurance in Romans 8:1 that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. That last phrase is not in the original manuscripts, but it is further down in Ephesians 4:22, where we’re told to put off the old put off concerning the former conversation, the old man which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts, our old ways of thinking, our old ways of speaking, and the way the world does and expects of us.

We need to put away things like cursing, swearing, cheating, and money matters, personal Relationships, dishonesty, telling tall tales, if not an outright line, gossiping, slandering, and on and on. Hopefully none of us are too far, too close to any of that. In First Corinthians 1:27, we were told to let our conversation be, as it becometh, the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, whether we are around the brethren or not, in secret or as it or in public. Jesus declares that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. Matthew 12:34.

So we’ve got to work on our fleshly heart, which is the seat of our emotions. We need to make God’s laws, the laws of our minds and our hearts, whether anybody’s looking or not. For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. In First John 2:16, we’re told, for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but of the world.

And roman in Romans 12:27 and by John, we’re told to not love the world, neither the things that are of the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world, and the world is passing away, and the lust thereof. But he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

Now, when we consider the subject of the flesh in regard to the development of the new creature, we’re talking about the fleshly mind, the fleshly mouth, as well as the fleshly body. We sing the words of that hymn. The arm of flesh will fail you, you dare not trust your own. You would think by now some of us would have learned that lesson of the failures of the flesh. Proverbs 3, 5, 8 tells us, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil. In 1967, there was the musical. It was called a rock opera then called Hair.

Some of you may remember it. There’s a song in there called the Flesh Failures and Let Sun Shining, and it’s explained in a blurb I got out of Wikipedia says in the musical Hair. The song the Flesh Failures Let the Sun Shine in expresses the belief of a subculture that modern civilization has decayed and prevented people from prevents people from fulfilling their destiny. The song is part of our semi religious choral section that gives the show another dimension. The song’s lyrics, along with other songs like Easy to Be Hard, describe a time of darkness and call for action, for people to take action to change things.

The song’s message is that people should let the sun shine on the darkness around them, and if they don’t, it will be the end of them. Hair is a fictional musical set in 1967 in an East Village park and tells the story of a group of hippies who celebrate love and peace during the Vietnam War. The musical criticizes and satirizes many societal ills, including racism, discrimination, war, violence, pollution and sexual repression. It also celebrates youth freedom and the acceptance and condemns violence. Indeed, even the worldly class of our youth in our country recognize the failure to live and love according to their own ideals and lyrics.

And we know it’s because, as Psalm 38:3 tells us, there’s no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. Psalm 73:26 tells us, My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. We’re admonished in Proverbs 4:23 to keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Even Jesus in the flesh, Though perfect, his heart and his flesh might have failed if it had not been for the Heavenly Father’s help. What does this mean for us?

We need to guard the portals of our minds, allowing only thoughts that would be pleasing to the Lord of our work and our rest and our relations. In Bible camp, the children sing, Be careful little eyes, what you see and the rest of the verses repeat all the senses of the heart and mind. Be careful little ears what you hear Be careful little tongue what you say little hands what you do little feet where you go little heart who you trust, little mind what you think and Jesus, remember he said that if we can’t be converted and become his little children, we can’t enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 and he also said, if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hellfire.

Jeremiah tells us that the heart is this is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? And of course, Jeremiah’s talking here about the fleshly heart, not the heart that the Lord requires in Proverbs 23:26 when he says, my son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. Foreign we’re told that the world, the flesh, and the devil are the present foes of the new creature. Two of our enemies are going to disappear, except for one in the kingdom.

Worldly systems, including religious, financial, intellectual and cultural and so forth, will not be operational. The devil will be bound, but the fleshly mind and the heart will still be with the resurrected man, although with a perfect body, he’ll have to deal with it as it conflicts with divine law. Presently, we the Church, are still in the flesh, but endowed with a new mind stimulated by the Holy Spirit. When we consecrated, we gave up our right to perfect human life in the world to come, and our bodies became vessels of the new creature, endued or begotten with the Holy Spirit. We’re told that the Spirit is willing to do the Lord’s will, but the flesh is weak and holds us back.

Matthew 26 and Mark 14. Paul describes the conflict within us in Romans 7, 15 and 16, saying, for that which I do, I allow not for what I would that do I not, but what I hate that do I. If then I do that which is I would not I consent unto the law it that it is good now, then it is no more that I that no more that I do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Of course, Paul was including the sin that we all share as a result of Father Adam. But he adds kind of a rewording of verse 16 and 17, which could sound like in obeying the impulses of my carnal nature, I act the slave of.

Of another will other than my own. As a renewed man, Paul impugns his own flesh with a statement, verse 18. For that I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing or to do good to. To it to will is present with me. But how to perform that which is good, I find nothing.

So what is the challenge? The solution to the challenge before us? Brother Samuel gave us this morning a list of daily training items. I hope you all took it down. I wrote.

I took pictures of the. Of the. Of the screenshot. But they were good thoughts to. To operate on.

We should see our brethren as new creatures and not as the flesh, as fallen human beings. That should create a respect within us as we fellowship because we are all pursuing the same goal, regardless of our size and shape or nationality. James 1:19-21 says, Where? Where? For my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of God worketh not the righteousness of God wherefore lay apart all filthiness and super super perfidy of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your souls.

We recently had a convention down in Boaz that we attended attended and brother Jeff Mezra led a study on how to see Stop seeing our brethren as after the flesh, and there’s some statements made in there like we should touch the new creature. This is what should be our goal in our conversation with each other. Try to see our brethren as God sees them, curbing the desires of the flesh, which are many, like eating and drinking to excess, and we’ve got a lot of liberty in Christ regarding fleshly activities.

And the Apostle Paul gives us some guidelines on how to deport ourselves in these things. In Romans 14:17 he says, the kingdom of God is not meat and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he that is, he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which God which make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another. For me destroy for me destroy not the work of God.

All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense, and of course, practicing more humility is a good way to defeat the flesh, and of course our our best example is our Lord Jesus. He was, you know, he was as Zechariah said he was a daughter of Jerusalem, the daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, thy king cometh unto thee.

He’s just having salvation. Lowly and riding upon an and the Master himself tried to discuss describe his character to his disciples when he said that he was lowly of heart. So we’ve got much that we can look at in Jesus, because indeed he is the eminently qualified to be our Savior through the exercises of his heart’s intention, to serve his Father’s purpose by his spirit of humility, and he always demonstrated it in his earthly ministry. Jesus gives us the antidote by his examples to mortify the flesh.

In Matthew 6:25, Jesus tells us to take no thought for our life or our flesh, what ye shall eat, or what you shall drink, nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. He addresses all of the needs of the flesh. By releasing our mind’s fixation on meeting those needs ourselves, he gives us the ammunition to prioritize spiritual needs above fleshly needs by telling us to leave all our care in keeping with our Heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to The Philippians, chapter 4, verses 6 through 7, repeats the theme Jesus said in in me in meeting in Matthew 6, and says, the peace of God, which passes all your understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. So in conclusion, let us let us fix our eyes upon Jesus.

Let us look full into his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. Amen.

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