THE REAL ENEMY OF OUR SOULS

Romans 8:1-9 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. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 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. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Psalms 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

1. The word "flesh" is basar in Hebrew and sarx in Greek. "Flesh " means: fallen human nature. It means to be "Worldly-minded." — "they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh."

a. The works of the flesh: Galatians 5:19-21

b. Romans 7:14, 18

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 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.

2. The composition of all men.

I Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify youwholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body bepreserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. The soul must decide to either follow the spirit (where God communicates with us) or the body (flesh).

4. John 3:6 — The only thing flesh can be is flesh.

5. The nature of the flesh: Flesh is flesh, no exceptions, no distinction. No amount of education, improvement, cultivation, morality or religion can turn the flesh from being flesh! No human power can alter the flesh.

·        "To be carnally minded is death."

·        "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."

·        "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God."

6. Eph 2:3 & Rom 9:8

7. Rom 8:3,7

8. Rom 8:8 — "CANNOT PLEASE GOD."

9.Even after receiving the Holy Ghost man's flesh remains as corrupt as before. The flesh of a saint is the same as the flesh of a sinner. The new birth does not transform the flesh–"That which is flesh is flesh!"

10.God did not give us the Holy Ghost to educate and train the flesh– but to OVERCOME the flesh.

11. Regeneration, means to become related to God by birth. Our flesh relates us to our parents and our spiritual life relates us to God (sons of God).

12. John 3:6: "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (See Ezek. 36:26).

13. John 1:12-13: What we were NOT born of.

14. Can't teach a dead man anything! (We were dead in sins…).

15. Living for God is the continual process of mastering our flesh.

16. Once (before New Birth) the flesh was in full control–with no interference. But now a battle rages within us. "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit."

17. I Cor 3:1-3 — the two classes of saints–spiritual & carnal.

18. Carnal mind cannot absorb spiritual teaching. "I fed you with milk…."

19. To be undelivered from temper, selfishness, contention, vain glory, unforgiving and unloving spirits.

20.1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

21. The 3 necessities of the body can be grouped into 3 categories:

·        nourishment

·        reproduction

·        defense

22. After the fall–all these became perverted.

23. Nourishment: (Eve tempted with) I Cor. 10:31

24. Reproduction: human lust.

25. Defense: The flesh opposes anything which interferes with its comfort and pleasure, or its ruler ship.

26. What we call "temper" (anger, strife) comes from the defense mechanism. Because the motivation behind it is SELF-DEFENSE.

27. The worst sins spring from SELF.

·        Self-interest.

·        Self-glory.

·        Self-opinion.

·        Self-ambition

28. SELF=FLESH!

29. A Christian should allow the Holy Ghost to examine his heart and enlighten his mind as to what spirit he is of. "You know not what spirit ye are of."

30. Works of the flesh fall into 3 groups.

·        Sins which defile the body. (immorality, impurity, etc).

·        Sins of evil communication (idolatry, sorcery,

witchcraft, etc).

·        Sins which defile the spirit (enmity, strife, jealously,

anger, etc).

31. YOUR VERDICT MUST ALWAYS BE THE SAME ON THE WORKS OF THE FLESH–"THE FLESH MUST DIE."

32. How does one become a believer? "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."