Spiritual Warfare With the Flesh

Spiritual Warfare is something that every person deals with, whether they know it or not. We have already seen what it looks like to be at war with the world around us, but the battle isn’t just external. Scripture tells us that we are also at war with our flesh, and this is an internal battle that we fight on a daily basis. We can escape some of the blame for evil in the outside world – but as far as our flesh is concerned, we are guilty as charged!

What Is “The Flesh”?

When we identify “the flesh” as one of the contributors to spiritual warfare, we’re not talking about our physical bodies – although our bodies do suffer the consequences of sin. The flesh is a compulsive inner force within each individual which is in opposition and rebellion against God. Another way to say it is that humanity’s original nature is sinful and totally depraved. While men and women, boys and girls have the capacity to do good, the truth is that everything we do is tainted with our natural, evil will. We are spiritually “dead in our trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

It all started in the Garden of Eden when the first human beings were created. They had an unbroken fellowship with God until they were tempted by the devil and made the decision to go against God’s command.

Genesis 3:4-6 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

After the Fall, all of humanity fell under a curse as a consequence of this first sin (Genesis 3:14-19). Now this sin nature has been inherited by everyone. Our natural bent is to go against God, and as a result we are His enemies.

Romans 8:7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.

So every human is born at war with God. But the battle ends when we become Christians, right? Wrong! That’s when the battle only intensifies in the flesh.

The Battle Within

When we trust in Jesus for salvation and the forgiveness of sins, the Bible tells us that we receive a new nature. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us as Christians and we are “born again”. This is when the internal war becomes palpable.

Galatians 5:17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

We have not one but now two natures battling inside of us for control. “The Flesh” remains a powerful opponent that will use footholds to develop strongholds in our lives. Satan knows our weaknesses and works his hardest to use them against us. Christians unwittingly open doors to spiritual attack by dabbling in sin and living in unrepentance. Paul gives us a list of examples:

Galatians‬ ‭5:19-21 ‬“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”

A believer who practices these things has either a seared conscience or may need to examine their faith a little closer. When we give in to our fleshly desires, there are consequences. It ends up in broken relationships, chaos, and a grieved Spirit.

Satan would love nothing more than to see us wallow in our shame and guilt. Many people have reasoned, “I’ve already opened the door, so I might as well stay and make a home here.” This is when the foothold becomes a stronghold.

Winning the War

Even though the fight itself isn’t easy, the solution starts with simple faith. We need to consciously choose to believe the gospel – again and again and again. God has set the believer free from sins of the past, present, and future, but it’s easy to forget this during the battle with the flesh. The guilt and shame that the enemy uses has no power over those who belong to Jesus.

Romans 7:24 – 8:2 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord… So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

But preaching the gospel to yourself is just the first part. Next, you need to consciously choose to follow the leading of the Spirit, who is now in you as a believer. Walking by the Spirit is the role of the Christian from the moment of faith to the end of life in the flesh. 

Galatians 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Right living is more about God’s effective work in you than about the strength of your personal will power. The Holy Spirit empowers you, but he doesn’t take over your will and force you to align your habits with him. Walking by the Spirit requires one actual choice at a time. Each godly choice becomes a foothold for good. Over time, the net effect is a stronghold of victory over the flesh.

The art of war for God’s people is to trust Jesus every day and follow the new internal power of the Holy Spirit. This is how the spiritual battle with the flesh is won on a daily basis, for God’s glory and our good.