Have you ever had a discussion with someone that ended like this? I have. People with so-called “strong wills” are famous for reacting this way. When these types of individuals are confronted with external demands, they revolt. In fact, to make a point, they often take it even one step further, vowing to never do whatever it is they’ve been asked to do, at least not until all parties fully understand that they are indeed the ones in control!
Maybe the strangest thing about the above kind of interaction is that the subject matter could be relatively mundane. Until a conflict arises, the “offended” party couldn’t care less about it. Something primitive sparks in the deepest recesses of them whenever someone else threatens their boundaries. It’s as if they are saying, “You can give me data, but don’t even think about forcing me to act on said data. I will decide if/when I’m ready. You have no rule over me.” If you know anything about the Hebrew word teshuqa (Genesis 4:7), you recognize that such sentiments are precisely the same as the human flesh’s, in the Biblical sense. The human flesh desires to dominate, rejecting anything/anyone trying to challenge it.
In a sense, to give an active human flesh a command is like awakening a sleeping giant. Even believers who aren’t filled with the Spirit are susceptible to this (1 Corinthians 3:3). Since the human flesh’s base desire is to rule, any perceived threat to its dominance is immediately met with force. It’s not even the issue at hand so much as it is the issue of authority. The flesh postures itself as the ultimate authority in this world, hence its attempt to supplant God. In fact, it so despises God’s authority that any godly command sends it into an uproar. Again, it doesn’t matter what the subject at hand is, only that it finds God and His commands challenging and, therefore, offensive.
So, when God lays out His law before the human flesh, the flesh’s first reaction is to fight it. As is the case with all of us, we don’t experience such things until an actual command is inserted into our souls. Once our flesh has a moment to comprehend it, we feel the rising temptation to reject it. I’m sure everyone reading this blog can relate. For example, have you ever read Holy Scripture that left some part of you bitter, affronted…angry, even? I have. Knowing and being honest with myself, I understand that while my new self (Ephesians 4:24) adores God’s authority in my life, my flesh hates any form of authority that threatens its dominating posture, especially God’s authority. To be totally transparent, this is most evident when the Word convicts me of disobedience. My flesh uses this conflict as a launching pad for aggressive revolt in my soul, creating a real battle between my two natures (ala Romans 7).
For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”
But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.
— Romans 7:5-8
The key phrase above is, “But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment.” This essentially means that in the absence of a commandment, sin (the human flesh’s domain) lies dormant. It isn’t until something poses a threat to the flesh that the sleeping giant is awoken. This is why folks abiding in the flesh (e.g. unbelievers) can be incredibly calm and even pleasant most of the time. However, if these same people are confronted with the law of God, all bets are off. This is why the old adage exists: never talk religion or politics in mixed company. Why? Because inevitably, since both topics involve God-given authority, someone’s human flesh is going to lose its cool and pick a fight.
I believe it’s critical that we all understand the nature of the human flesh. It’s not a stretch to say that it not only opposes God’s commands, but it also hates the One giving them. If you wish to get along with someone controlled by the flesh (yourself, even), you’re going to have to concede to never talk about God’s Word, which speaks volumes about our Lord’s sovereign right to rule. I would caution not to use that approach, though, given Biblical wisdom:
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
— James 4:4
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
— 1 John 2:15
If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
— John 15:19
The world we live in is dominated by the human flesh. It runs on an economy that does not recognize God’s authority over His own creation. In fact, it specifically stands opposed to His commands simply because it refuses to submit to His authority. Whenever the Word is thrust into the fray, it awakens a sleeping giant among the masses (have you seen what’s happening to Christian preachers nowadays???). This is when the friendly mask comes off and we see the very same ugliness that we see within ourselves when our flesh takes its stand. Learn to recognize the telltale signs of impending strife - they aren’t hard to spot once you know exactly when to look for them.
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins
