This being so, there arises a conflict between the two natures, because they are contrary the one to the other. This is what the apostle says, “For the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Gal. 5:1717For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17)). The Holy Spirit, of course, acts upon the spirit, which is born of Himself (John 3:66That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6)).
The existence and opposition of the two natures in the believer is here clearly stated; but the word rendered “cannot” in the Authorized Version is too strong. As it stands it implies that it is an impossibility for the saint to do what the Spirit would lead him to do.
Thank God it is not so. The correct rendering is, “That ye may not do the things that ye would.” The flesh will hinder, or try to hinder; but we are not under its power. “But now being made free from sin [this is not forgiveness of sins, but deliverance from the sinful nature which is in us], and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness” (Rom. 6:2222But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)).
The apostle says, “Walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:1616This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)). Walking in the Spirit gives power over the flesh. The flesh is never changed or eradicated: but by the power of the Spirit dwelling in the believer, it is set aside, overcome, and not allowed to act. Such persons are called the “spiritual,” of whom the apostle speaks, “Ye which are spiritual” (Gal. 6:11Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)). They are fit instruments to be used of the Lord in helping those who have been overtaken in a fault. And how are such overtaken in a fault, but by listening to the flesh and yielding to its suggestions or to Satan’s temptations through the flesh? “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:1414But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (James 1:14)).
Some profess to be in a sinless state, through the old nature being destroyed and rooted out of their hearts. And when evil thoughts arise they blame the devil for them; whereas the Spirit of God blames the evil nature in them (James 1:1414But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (James 1:14)).
The spiritual believer is he in whose heart dwells love, joy, peace; long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. These are the fruit of the Spirit. Happy and blessed is such an one, being a vessel ready to be used of the Lord (Gal. 5:2222But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Galatians 5:22)).
The doctrine of the apostle is the same in Romans 7, 8. But there he gives deliverance, through Christ, from the evil nature, or sin in the flesh. He cries out, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord” (7:24). He gets deliverance through Christ, not by the destruction of “this body of death,” which is in him still, as he states in the end of verse 25 “So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God: but with the flesh the law of sin.” His state is unaltered; but he is delivered, and has found his place to be in Christ, and not in the flesh; declaring in triumph, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Yet the flesh is still in him.
This is what the apostle then enlarges upon; giving us to know that the sinful nature in us has been condemned in Christ on the cross. Sins are forgiven, but the wicked nature which commits them is not forgiven, but condemned in Him Who bore all on the cross. Blessed liberty, in which to bring forth fruit unto God. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Rom. 6:2222But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)).
And again, we read, “Our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away [annulled] that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin ... Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin (6:5-11. R.V.). It is not that the evil nature in us is changed (I would again remark) or destroyed; but set aside, and the believer is to reckon himself as having died with Christ, but now risen with Him, and hence to walk in newness of life.
Here is a solemn question for the conscience. Can a saved person be in an unspiritual state of soul? We find it is possible. He may have life in the Spirit, and not walk in the Spirit. Let us not lose sight of this. A believer may “sow to the flesh and reap corruption.” He may grieve that Holy Spirit, by Whom he is sealed unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:3030And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)). He may quench the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:1919Quench not the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19)). The Spirit is grieved by our listening to the flesh or the devil, and doing something we ought not to do. He is quenched by our not doing what He would lead us to do.
Further, the gifted may not be spiritual. The Corinthians “came behind in no gift,” but they were carnal and walked as men. Only watchfulness, prayer, and obedience can keep us walking in the Spirit. Then will He fill our hearts with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
Such was Barnabas. “A good man; full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.” May we be such.
Guernsey. G.R.