Warring with the Flesh

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these

 are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

Galatians 5:17

The works of the flesh are characteristics of the sinful nature of man caused by the adamic nature of Adam which is inclusive of sinful desires. These sinful desires are opposites of the qualities of the  fruit of the spirit which the Holy Spirit wants to develop in our life.  For example hatred is in direct opposition of God's essence, which is love, just as lasciviousness is against God's nature which is holiness.

There is a constant spiritual battle going on in the life of a believer.  John lets us know that we should not love the world due to its lustful nature:

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.   1 John 2:16

Most times, people think only of the sins that they can see such as murder robbery, etc., but almost all outward sin stems from an inward thought and/or emotion of our heart. 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.  Luke 6:45

Biblically, these outward sins are referred to as the works of the flesh.   The works of the flesh are trying to destroy the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

The fleshly desires of natural man are contrary to the nature of the Holy Spirit.  The works of the flesh are:

. . . Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like . . .   Galatians 5:19-21

Although the results of these sins are visible in wrong actions, the cause is not visible. The cause is sinful desires [lusts] of the heart:  

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  Psalms 4:23

And He saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him... 

And He said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness; And these evil things come from within, and defile the man.   Mark 7:18, 20-23

The sins listed in Galatians 5:19-21 are not all of the sins identified in the bible. They are a group of sins called "works of the flesh" which contrast the fruit of the Spirit. 

Apostle Paul explains the results of doing the works of the flesh:

. . . of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:21

God has given us a way to avoid this penalty:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

How does one stop doing the sinful works of the flesh?

®   First:   An acknowledgement of ungodly acts and Godly sorrow must be present in our mind and heart.  

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 2 Corinthians 7:9

®   Second:  Repent of our sin; literally turn from our sinful nature, actions and thoughts and have faith towards God that He is faithful to forgive:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgiveus our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

God does not take sinful man and give him a self-improvement course. 

He creates a new creature. The old things pass away. The works of the flesh are to be replaced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

®   Third:   Be refreshed/filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit which enables us to walk in the ways of the Spirit instead of the sinful ways of the flesh:

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  Galatians 5:16

®   Fourth: Realize we cannot be freed from the works of the flesh and walk in the Spirit through our own effort.

Apostle Paul described the struggle he had in his own effort to live a Godly life:

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 I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Romans 7:15-19

Apostle Paul experienced the difficulty of living a holy life but he continued to pursue this goal despite his failures.

We should ask God to put a desire to be holy in our heart. Whenever we fail and sin, confess it immediately and ask the Holy Spirit to help us overcome it. This is how we learn and begin to walk in the Spirit and . . .

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...  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.   Romans 8:1-9

The fruit of Christ-like qualities only develop as we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is important enough to repeat that 

the fruit of the spirit is in direct contrast to the works of the flesh.  

These Christ-like qualities have no limitations and are considered the embodiment of the Holy Spirit.  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

This is why it is so important for believers to understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit; how the Holy Spirit will change us from the inside out.

If we sincerely want to live a life that is pleasing to God, read in His word; what He has to say; His thoughts on each of the 'works of the flesh'.

Lord, help us this day that we guard our heart and mind and keep our body under subjection:

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.   1 Corinthians 9:27

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