Mortification of the Flesh

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”  Romans 13:14

The flesh is a wicked traitor to its owner.  Like the Trojan horse of old within the walls of the city, it waits for the opportune moment to send its troops in to wreak havoc and secure destruction.  It is a sly enemy that kills its owner by fond embraces and by the “Judas Kiss.”  To pamper the flesh is to feed and empower it, and at the same time, to quench the Spirit of God within.  The flesh chokes out and stifles holy intentions, and sides itself with the world and Satan himself.  The result will be an impotent believer, and consequently, an irrelevant Christian life.   

There is a nature within us that will not pray, will not obey, and will not believe.  The flesh would have us believe in and follow a temptation more than the promises of God.  Do you sense it?  Can you discern it?  If not, check your salvation, or at the very least, your spiritual maturity.  Even in the best, oldest, and wisest of saints, it will spring forth unexpectedly with its inordinate lusts and desires.  Our first day in glory will be our first day away from this age-old enemy.  What a day of rejoicing that will be!

Until then, we fight an unholy trinity of three enemies on three fronts: the world, the devil, and our own sinful nature.  It is my personal belief that an allied force consisting of Satan and this world will not inflict nearly as much destruction and pain upon the children of God as will our own flesh all by itself.  It’s a cliché, but we truly are our own worst enemies.  Therefore, our sinful nature must be mortified. 

It seems that the contemporary Church of Jesus Christ knows very little of mortifying the flesh.  Even the word “mortifying” has an old-fashioned, out-of-date ring to it.  When was the last time you heard a message from the pulpit on the importance of mortifying the flesh?  Unfortunately, the pulpit has grown quiet on the issue and indeed, it shows.  The pursuit of holiness and denial of one’s self is now referred to by many as “legalism” or “fundamentalism”. As a result, the Church today enjoys all of the pleasures of this world and then some…and it too, shows.  We are taking very good care of…ourselves…with so-called Christian cruises, Christian concerts, Christian conferences, Christian schools, Christian TV, Christian movies, Christian bookstores, Christian radio stations and the list goes on and on.  If the result were a purer, more edified and more mature Church, then it would be time and resources well spent, but for the most part, that’s not what we’re seeing.  We’re seeing a spoiled and soft generation of milk-toast believers that knows very little of true discipleship, genuine service, or the self-sacrifice necessary to fulfill the requirements of real Christian discipleship.  Pain and suffering are NOT to be avoided at all costs, and the cause of Christ must NOT take a back seat to self-indulgence and personal comfort.  Let’s be reminded once again of Christ’s words as He describes a true follower of His: “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’” Matthew 16:24.  While we still have time on this earth to do so, let us follow hard after the Lord Jesus Christ, and die for the cause of Christ if need be.

– Pastor Craig