For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6 ESV)
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24 ESV)
The Flesh and Faith
When the Bible uses the term, “flesh” as God’s enemy, we usually think of two aspects. First, the effects of Sin in creation. Since Adam, things do not work the way they were created. Plants do not grow correctly, (weeds!) decay and decline have become the natural norm, and things break down. All because of Sin.
Second, “flesh” refers to our old sinful nature. Our flesh is our pre-redeemed selves: Prone to wander, selfish rebellion, and God-denying.
God gives us faith to combat the flesh.
Salvific Faith transforms God’s children into new creatures, diminishing daily the old, and rebuilding the new. He has promised that this is what is happening with us, even when at times it does not seem like it. Faith defeats the flesh, ultimately… and even today.
Faith also results in the transformation of creation. God’s faithful folk live our lives transforming the chaos of sin’s effects into the God’s orderliness. We can see this occurring in improved medicine, farming techniques, and more knowledge of God’s creation. Faith defeats the effects of Sin in creation ultimately… and even today.
God gives us faith to combat the flesh.
Take the faith God grants us.