"And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24

The Greek word for flesh is SARX and it has a wide range of meanings in both the Old and New Testaments. Let's briefly look at what Scripture has to tell us of the flesh in regards to the unregenerate state of man.

"The Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible" Herbert Lockyear, Sr.; Editors ays, "...flesh is the earthly part of man, representing lusts and desires (Ephesians 2:3, 'Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.')"

The flesh is contrary to the Spirit as Galatians 5:17 tells us, "For the flesh lust against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

"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, the things of the Spirit." Romans 8:5

Romans 8:8 says,
"So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
In Vs. 9 we have that great word BUT,
"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His."

In Galatians 5:19-23 Scripture contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. It is a bit lengthy but worth noting here both the fleshly works and the Spirit's fruit. What a contrast!
"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you before hand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. BUT the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such there is no law." (My emphasis)

Here in the matter of the flesh we have the principle of sowing and reaping:
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Galatians 6:7-8

In Galatians 5:16, the Apostle Paul says, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

In our Fellowship we sing verses (1; 13; 22; 23) from Galatians Chapter 5 that is both an admonition and an encouragement. It is worth remembering especially in times of temptation. Here are the words:

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty,
Where with Christ has made us free,
And be not entangled again
With the yoke of bondage.
For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; Only use not liberty as an occasion to flesh, But by love serve one another.

For the fruit of the Spirit is
Love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, Goodness, meekness, temperance faith, Against such there is no law.

So stand fast therefore in the liberty,
Where with Christ has made us free,
And be not entangled again
With the yoke of bondage.

Thank you Father, for Your loving provision of salvation, reconciliation and sanctification in and through Christ Jesus our Lord. No longer do we live under the control of the flesh, we are now under the control of the Holy Spirit. For it is Your Holy Spirit in whom we walk. Thank you Father, for your love that is beyond all finite thought or comprehension. And it is with humble hearts that we give You all praise and glory! Amen