Email from Abiding Place Daily Bread – January 17, 2025 (The Sixth Day – Genesis 1:24-31) 1 John 2:16 – Because 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. The Use Of The Word “Flesh” In The Bible There are two approaches to understanding the “desires of the flesh,” either in the Greek sense, or the Hebrew. The Hebrew concept of the ‘sarx’ (flesh) includes all of man’s weaknesses –not just sensual or carnal, but the realm of the purely human without divine help. This is still witnessed in the New Testament where the ‘sarx’ may be regarded as human knowledge (flesh and blood) distinct from divine revelation (Matthew 16:17; John 8:15; Galatians 1:16). Paul also regards the flesh as the power of sin that is opposed to the Spirit of God – a power that is removed by the circumcision of Christ (Romans 7:5; Colossians 2:11). The Greeks exclusively use ‘sarx’ to refer to eating, drinking, and illicit sexual relations. They would regard ‘sarx’ as being sensual and carnal, opposed to anything spiritual or pious. When we find flesh in the Bible, it would be incorrect to jump to a conclusion that every usage of “flesh” refers only to those things that are evil, for Christ Jesus was manifested in the flesh and suffered in the flesh. However, when we focus on the phrase “desire of the flesh,” we find an exclusive application to what is opposite of the Spirit of God and contrary to the will of the Father. “Put on Christ and make no provision for the desires of the flesh,” “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the desires of the flesh,” and “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Romans 13:14; Galatians 5:16-17, 24). In the New Testament, a clear distinction is made between those of the Spirit and those of the flesh. Yet at the same time, we know Jesus became flesh and lived after the Spirit. Still, the fact remains that the distinction between the flesh and the Spirit can be as radical as that of light and darkness as in the preceding examples, or it can simply be a contrast between human ability and divine ability (Galatians 4:22-29). However, there is one thing we can be certain of for sure – God makes it essential that all men are born of the Spirit and live after the Spirit (John 3:6; Romans 8:9; 1 Peter 4:1). Now, through the grace of God that has brought us this radical transformation of nature, we are “not in the flesh, but in the Spirit” (Romans 8:9). Therefore, let us yield to the Holy Spirit today, and let Him lead us and guide us in every desire of our lives! Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 1/17/2025
