Biblical Perspective of Flesh vs Spirit Living
The following excerpt is taken from the commentary of Douglas Moo (NIV Application Commentary) for the passage in Romans 8:5–8.
Life in the Spirit Versus Death in the Flesh (8:5–8)
At the end of verse 4, Paul introduces a contrast that governs these next four verses: “the sinful nature” versus the Spirit. “Sinful nature” is the NIV rendering of the Greek word sarx (flesh), when this word refers to the sinful tendencies of human beings. But the variety of constructions in which sarx occurs in these verses forces translators to use several different paraphrases. We prefer, for the sake of continuity of argument, to use the more literal “flesh” throughout (see footnote 2; also Bridging Contexts section).
In verses 5–8, then, Paul presents a series of contrasts between flesh and Spirit. His overall intention is clear: to show that sarx brings death while the Spirit brings life (v. 6). Paul leads up to this key claim by tracing people’s manner of life to their underlying way of thinking. In verse 4, he has used the antithesis of “living” (lit., “walking”) by the flesh/Spirit. The beginning of verse 5 picks up this same idea with a slightly different Greek construction (simply “according to the flesh/Spirit”). The lifestyle of the flesh flows from a mind oriented to the flesh, whereas the lifestyle of the Spirit comes from a mind oriented to the Spirit. And “the mind of the flesh is death” whereas the “mind of the Spirit [brings] life and peace.”
“Mind” translates phronema, which can be rendered “mind-set”; it denotes the basic direction of a person’s will (this noun occurs only in Romans 8 in the New Testament [vv. 6, 7, 27], though note the use of the cognate verb in Phil. 1:7; 2:2, 5; 3:15, 19; 4:5). Romans 8:7–8 explains why “the mind of the flesh” brings death. The orientation of the will reflects the values of this world as “hostile to God,” revealed in the fact that people who have that will cannot obey God’s law (v. 7). Thus, people who are “in the flesh [niv controlled by the sinful nature] cannot please God” (v. 8).
Now Let’s Read and Consider 1Cor 3:1-3
(KJV) 1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 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?
(ESV) But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
(NASB) 1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking blike mere men?
Key Words and Concepts:
Carnal – Gr. Sarkinos – sarx (flesh) + kinos (consisting of)
“sensual, worldly, nonspiritual; relating to or given to the crude desires and appetites of the Flesh or body. The apostle Paul contrasts “spiritual people”—that is, those who are under the control of the Holy Spirit—with those who are “carnal”—those under the control of the flesh (1 Cor. 3:1–4; Rom. 8:5–7). The word “carnal” is usually reserved in the New Testament to describe worldly Christians.” (from the NNIBD)
Spiritual – “of the spirit or nonmaterial. The word spiritual refers to nonmaterial things, including a spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:44–46) and spiritual things as distinct from earthly goods (Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11). But the most important use of the word is in reference to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gave the law (Rom. 7:14) and supplied Israel with water and food (1 Cor. 10:3–4).
Our every blessing is from the Spirit (Eph. 1:3), as is our understanding of truth (1 Cor. 2:13–15; Col. 1:9). Our songs should be sung in the Spirit (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16), and our ability to understand Scripture correctly is given by the Spirit (Rev. 11:8). We are to be so dominated by the Spirit that we can be called spiritual (1 Cor. 2:15; Gal. 6:1).” (from the NNIBD)
Walking as Men – Conducting oneself in the way of natural/unregenerate men. Being in tune with or controlled by the same things as those who have not the Spirit of Christ within.
Key Questions:
How, knowing these things, will the enemy attack you?
What should we remember about life in the Spirit vs. life in the Flesh?
How should this effect the way we live?
What does this teach us about living in fellowship with the saints of God within the church?
Why are these things so important to remember during special times of spiritual opportunity/revival?
Personally?
Within the church?