The Bible has a lot to say about the flesh and its role in the Christian life. At a basic level, the word “flesh” refers to our human bodies and earthly existence. But the Bible uses the term in some more nuanced ways that are important for believers to understand.
Fundamentally, the flesh represents our human weakness and limitations apart from God. As physical, mortal beings living in a fallen world, we are prone to sin, suffering, and death. Our fleshly desires often lead us to indulge in sin and self-destruction when not kept in check by God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:19-21). The flesh distracts us from pursuing godliness and makes us vulnerable to temptation (Matthew 26:41).
In a theological sense, the flesh can refer to life oriented around human inclinations rather than God’s will. To live “according to the flesh” is to order one’s life mainly around earthly priorities, while to live “according to the Spirit” is to pursue God’s kingdom and righteousness (Romans 8:5-8). The flesh and the Spirit are opposed to each other in their desires and actions (Galatians 5:16-17).
The flesh is innately sinful due to the Fall. Our fleshly impulses are corrupted by original sin and must be crucified and overcome by God’s power (Romans 7:5, 8:3). The flesh is unable to please God or attain salvation on its own (Romans 3:20, 7:18). We must be born again of the Spirit (John 3:5-6).
Jesus Christ came in the flesh to redeem us from its curse (2 John 1:7). Through His incarnation, Jesus “condemned sin in the flesh” and overcame its dominion so we can walk by the Spirit (Romans 8:3, Galatians 5:16). Our flesh remains weak, but by faith in Christ, we can gain victory over its sinful passions (Matthew 26:41, Galatians 5:24).
One day, our perishable fleshly bodies will be resurrected into imperishable, immortal bodies no longer hindered by sin (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 50-54). Until then, we must actively put to death the misdeeds of the flesh by the empowering of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13, Colossians 3:5).
In summary, the Bible presents the flesh as our earthly, mortal mode of existence apart from God. Due to original sin, the flesh is prone to indulging sinful desires contrary to God’s will. Through faith in Christ, believers can overcome the flesh and walk by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit until our final redemption from its curse.
Now let’s explore some key passages in Scripture that reveal biblical truths about the flesh and its relationship to the Christian life.
1. The flesh represents human frailty and dependence on God
“And the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years’” (Genesis 6:3). Even in the early chapters of Genesis, we see God recognizing human frailty in our fleshly existence. Our physical bodies are weak, transient, and finite apart from God’s sustaining Spirit.
“For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:24-25). Peter highlights the feebleness of flesh compared to the eternal Word of God. Our earthly lives are passing away, but Christ offers eternal redemption.
These passages point to the flesh as a reminder of human frailty and need for God. Our bodies are not meant to function independently but rely on the Spirit’s life-giving power. We cannot save ourselves but need the gospel of Christ to grant eternal life.
2. The flesh and Spirit are opposed
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (Galatians 5:16-17). Here Paul describes the fundamental conflict between flesh and Spirit. To walk in new life by the Spirit, we must not gratify sinful fleshly desires.
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot” (Romans 8:5-7). Again, the fleshly mindset leads to death because it rebels against God’s will and truth.
These passages indicate that the flesh represents an orientation away from God. The Spirit empowers us to overcome sinful fleshly desires that lead to death so we can experience life in Christ.
3. The flesh is corrupted by sin
“And the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). After the Fall, even man’s fleshly existence reflects the corruption of sin.
“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” (Romans 7:18). Our fleshly nature struggles against righteousness due to the effects of original sin.
“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). On our own in the flesh, we are enslaved to sin and cannot attain righteousness before God.
The flesh serves as a metaphor for the pervasive damage sin has done to human nature. Our flesh is infected and weakened by sin, making us prone to transgress God’s moral law.
4. We must be born again of the Spirit
“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit'” (John 3:3-6). To enter God’s kingdom, we must experience new spiritual birth since our natural fleshly birth is inadequate.
“But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him” (Romans 8:9). Those reborn in Christ have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who enables righteous living.
These verses underscore that we cannot earn salvation in our sinful flesh. We must be spiritually transformed by Christ through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
5. Christ came in the flesh to redeem us
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14). God the Son took on human flesh in the incarnation to dwell among us as Jesus Christ.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). Christ took on human flesh and died to break the power of sin and redeem us from fleshly bondage.
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3). Christ overcame sin in the flesh on our behalf through His perfect sacrifice.
Jesus put on mortal flesh to bring salvation to our frail human bodies corrupted by sin. His redemptive work enables us to be transformed and glorified.
6. We must crucify fleshly desires by the Spirit
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit…Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:16, 24). As believers, we now have power through the Spirit to put sinful fleshly desires to death.
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). The Holy Spirit grants us strength to mortify fleshly sinful practices and experience new life in Christ.
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). We must actively strive against fleshly sins with the Spirit’s help to reflect Christ’s righteousness.
Though the flesh is weak, temptation is real, and sin persists, we can walk in increasing holiness by the power of the Spirit who enables us to crucify fleshly desires.
7. Our flesh will be redeemed in glorification
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). At Christ’s return, our mortal flesh will be resurrected and transformed for eternal life.
“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). Christ will glorify our humble fleshly bodies into everlasting perfection.
Our flesh is just a temporary dwelling for us until Christ returns to usher in new creation. One day, our bodies will be resurrected and made holy through God’s redeeming grace in the fullness of time.
8. Key truths about the flesh
In summary, here are some key truths the Bible teaches about the flesh:
- The flesh represents human frailty and finitude apart from God.
- Our flesh is opposed to the Spirit and prone to sinful desires.
- Original sin has corrupted human fleshly nature.
- We must be spiritually reborn to overcome the limitations of flesh.
- Jesus put on flesh to redeem us from sin’s curse.
- The Spirit empowers us to crucify fleshly sinful desires.
- Our flesh will someday be glorified like Christ’s resurrected body.
As Christians, we live in the tension of the “already and not yet.” Though still in our weak and suffering flesh, we have new Spirit-empowered life in Christ that will one day come to full consummation in glorified bodies free from sin’s presence. We live by faith in this great hope and salvation.
Conclusion
The flesh is a complex biblical concept with different shades of meaning. At its most basic level, it represents our earthly, mortal mode of existence in contrast to spiritual life rooted in God. Due to human sinfulness, the flesh is prone to indulging ungodly desires contrary to the Holy Spirit. Yet Christians have hope, for Jesus put on flesh to redeem us, and His Spirit now works within us to transform us until our final glorification. By walking in the Spirit, we can experience victory over the flesh and bear witness to God’s kingdom.