99: Seven Evidences of the Flesh

What You'll Discover in this Episode:

Seven Evidences of the Flesh that Must be Dealt With

In ministering to others or serving God, we are not sufficient of ourselves, and nothing is to be from ourselves. That is the flesh. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 

1.  Self-seeking/Self-serving

If Christ is the Lord who saves us, our lives are for Him. We have this battle on the throne of our heart for Christ or self. We need to let the Lord be Lord of our lives, surrendering control and yielding to His will. Romans 14:7-8

2. Striving

This has to do with the will of the flesh. Have you heard of people who are strong-willed? Well, we all have a fleshly will that needs to be brought under submission to God. Psalm 46:10

Striving is motivated by an exaltation of self or wanting to promote, establish or protect self. Our great service for God needs to come from the resources of His grace within us, as Paul said, “I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

We have to enter into His rest. Cease from our selfish works. Panic and worry often produce striving. The answer to the striving flesh is to bring it under submission to God. Self will not be exalted, God will be exalted among the people.

3. Self-confidence and self-esteem are to be put off, not relied on, and denied.

We saw this in Philippians 3:3 when Paul said that we are not to have confidence in the flesh. Self-esteem is holding self in high esteem, which is pride. Believing in yourself, which is taught very strongly in the world. James 4:6

The flesh says, “I can” and has self confidence. These are the same Christians who often congratulate themselves or give themselves glory for the things they have done for Christ. All these things are displeasing to the Lord. They are pride and they come from the flesh. Christians walking in humility and trusts in God will be used by Him and resists the ones who don't. The Spirit says, “I can’t, but God, You can.” and puts its confidence in God.

4. Self-indulgence, self-satisfaction, boasting

These can be seen in trying to please self. The flesh hates self-denial. The flesh wants the comforts and luxuries of life. The boastful pride of life, the lust of the eyes, the things the world offers. Philippians 2:20-21

5. Self-righteousness, Trying to Please God by the Law or Our Own Endeavors

The righteous flesh is seen strongly in the pharisees, believing they had righteousness in and of themselves. Flesh often offers a good looking front/outside looks good- “whitewashed walls” that Jesus spoke of.  You look good on the outside, all clean and perfect, but inside you are full of dead mens’ bones. Self-righteousness is full of pride. Anyone who thinks they can keep the Law is walking in the flesh.

How did we get saved? By knowing we needed Jesus. That is spiritual.

6. Vindicating Self

This is self-defense, Self-pity, pouting, complaining; making excuses for yourself in failures, or justifying yourself instead of admitting wrong. If you make yourself a victim; making sure others know what you have been through, what has been done to you, how you have been wronged are fleshly responses.

Pointing the finger at others, blameshifting; jealousies and envies can also play into these fleshly responses.

7. Trusting in Man

This often shows in fleshly ways like flattery, gossip, manipulation, or being a people-pleaser. When you put your trust to pharaohs and chariots (other people/ what the world can do) instead of God is an evidence of the flesh. Psalm 20:7

The battle over the flesh is not easy. The flesh can have quite a stronghold in the land of the heart and mind.

Christians have to get to the point where they want to please God so much more than themselves, in order to not want to live for self anymore.  They are tired of self, and ready for more of Christ. They see that in them dwells no good thing and they want more of God