I have concluded, therefore, that my flesh deceives me; it wants and desires what is bad for me. Flesh and the Holy Spirit cannot and do not walk in harmony with each other; the desires of the one present direct opposition to the other.
Don't you find Paul's description of this opposition amazingly relevant to us today?
"I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." Ro. 7:15, 18-19
However, not all that flesh does looks like sin; it doesn't always have the appearance of evil.
"If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of this world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 'do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!' (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using) in accordance with the commandments and teaching of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence." Colossians 2:20-23
If you have died with Christ, then why do you live as if you still belong to the world? Why do you allow yourself to be dictated by man-made rules? These have all the appearance of spirituality, but in reality have no value against the flesh, or as the Amplified Version puts it "they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh".
I would like to propose that too much of what we achieve as "good" is really done in the flesh and consequently, has no power against the flesh. Flesh tries really hard to be acceptable in the eyes of man, it makes a really good show of walking in the Spirit, it fakes the appearance of wisdom really well. Really!
James warns me about this kind of wisdom.
"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing." (3:14-16 NASV)
OUCH James!
In truth, I find that the whole book of James is a direct assault against the inner workings of the flesh in my self-righteous little soul. His letter exposes everything my flesh prefers and calls me to practice everything my flesh hates. It's like James is addressing a church full of people like me, people trying to do good on their own strength, people trying to look "spiritual". Ruthlessly, he peels back the surface to show the ugliness that is the reality inside.
For example:
James: "Consider it joy to encounter a variety of trials",
My flesh: "Pain is bad and should be avoided at all costs."
James: "Do not be deceived, I am enticed by my own lusts",
My flesh: "I'm not responsible, it's not my fault."
James: "Quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger",
My flesh: "I like to look good, I like to feel good, I like to say what's on my mind."
James: "Don't show personal favoritism",
My flesh: "Ooh, those people are awkward, I hope they don't sit near me."
James: "If any man thinks he is religious but doesn't bridle his tongue, he deceives himself. The tongue is a restless evil full of deadly poison",
My flesh: "C'mon, my tongue isn't as bad as all that! Idiot!"
James: "Quarrels and conflicts arise because I'm thinking about how to please myself",
My flesh: "I know, don't you hate it when people are so stubborn about doing it their way!"
James: "Submit myself to God",
My flesh: "This is how I want it to go, God, I expect You to follow the plan."
James: "Be humble",
My flesh: "Yeah, I'm so glad you said that, James, I can think of several people who need to learn humility".
James: "Don't criticize my brother in Christ",
My flesh: "There are plenty of us who think the same way, we've all talked about it"
James: "Don't complain about my brother in Christ",
My flesh: "It's just my opinion"
James: "Patiently endure suffering",
My flesh: Scratch, scratch, scratch; "Rather Die First"
And finally,
James: "Confess my sins to one another",
My flesh: But... but... they might think I'm not perfect!
We've been looking at the ugly side of our flesh, at those lusts that deceive us. Now we will focus in another direction. This time we are going to look at how we put our confidence in the flesh. This is the side of our flesh that gives us strength, that makes us feel capable, the side that you want people to see.
No comments:
Post a Comment