The Bible contains a number of verses that speak about flesh, both in terms of its physicality and its spiritual significance. In the Old Testament, God tells us to keep our hearts and minds focused on Him and not on the desires of the flesh. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks about living a life in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. These Bible verses provide us with insights into how we should think about our physical bodies as well as how to live out our spiritual lives.”For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” – 1 John 2:16
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” – Hebrews 12:1
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” – James 1:14
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the lusts of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing what you would.” – Galatians 5:16-17
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Bible Verses About The Flesh And Its Desires
The Bible has a great deal to say about the flesh and its desires, warning us to be aware of them and avoid being controlled by them. Galatians 5:16-17 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
The Bible also encourages us to remember that when we follow our own desires instead of God’s will, we can easily become enslaved by our passions. Romans 6:12-13 says, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”
Paul also warns us in Colossians 3:5-6 that our sinful nature will lead us away from God if we don’t resist it: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness which is idolatry. On account of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.”
Thankfully, we don’t have to succumb to our fleshly desires. Galatians 5:24-25 teaches us that with God’s help we can live a holy life despite our sinful nature: “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit let us also walk by the Spirit.”
By relying on God’s grace and strength we can overcome any temptation or desire that leads us away from Him. As 1 Corinthians 10:13 encourages us: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability but with temptations he will also provide a way out so that you may be able too bear it.”
Overcoming The Flesh
The Bible is full of verses that give us guidance and strength to overcome the temptation of our flesh. It can be difficult to do, especially when we’re faced with our own desires and weaknesses. But with the help of God’s word, we can find the courage and strength to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Here are some Bible verses that can help us in overcoming the flesh:
1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
This verse reminds us that no matter how hard the temptation may be, God will always provide a way out so that we can resist it. He will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. This verse is a great reminder for us to rely on God during times of temptation.
Romans 6:12-13 – “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any parts of yourself to sin as weapons for unrighteousness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.”
This passage serves as a reminder for us not to give in to the desires of our flesh. We must recognize that even though our bodies have been corrupted by sin, we still have power over them through Christ. We must use this power by offering ourselves up as living sacrifices for His glory.
Galatians 5:16-17 – “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
This verse reminds us that there is a constant battle between our fleshly desires and our spiritual desires. We must choose which one we will follow each day and strive towards obeying God’s commands rather than giving into our own sinful nature.
We all struggle with overcoming our fleshly desires at one point or another in our lives. But with God’s help and guidance through His word, we can find strength and courage in Him so that we can live lives pleasing unto Him
Denying the Flesh
The Bible is filled with powerful passages about denying the flesh, and living a life that is pleasing to God. The Bible calls us to put away our natural desires and to focus on what is truly important in life-our relationship with God. Here are some of the most important Bible verses about denying the flesh:
Galatians 5:16-17: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would.”
This verse is a reminder that following our own desires will only lead us away from God. Instead, we must put our trust in Him and rely on His guidance when making decisions.
Romans 8:13: “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
This verse reminds us that when we deny our sinful nature and choose instead to follow God’s will for our lives, we can experience true life and joy. Allowing ourselves to be led by God’s Spirit is essential for living a life of victory over sin.
Philippians 3:19: “Their end is destruction; their god is their belly; they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”
This verse warns us not to become too focused on worldly pleasures or material possessions. We must remember that all these things are fleeting and can never satisfy our souls like God can.
The Flesh Is Weak
The Bible has many verses that speak about the weakness of the flesh. It emphasizes that although our physical body is strong, it is ultimately weak and easily tempted. One of the most famous verses about this is found in Romans 8:7, which says, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” This verse reminds us that although our physical body may be tempted by worldly desires, we should focus on our spiritual life and seek to be guided by God’s spirit.
Other verses that talk about the weakness of our flesh include:
- Romans 7:18 – “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
- Galatians 5:16 – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
- 1 Corinthians 9:27 – “But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
These verses show us how important it is to remember that our physical bodies are weak and easily swayed by temptations. We need to stay focused on what God wants us to do so we can become more like Him.
We Cannot Rely On The Flesh
The Bible is filled with verses that remind us to rely on God, not on our own strength or wisdom. We cannot rely on the flesh, which is a reminder that we are called to trust in God and His promises above all else. Here are some of the most inspiring Bible verses that remind us of this truth:
Philippians 3:3-4 – “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
Romans 8:5-8 – “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
Galatians 5:16-17 – “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to another: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
These verses remind us that our reliance must always be on God’s power and grace. We cannot put our trust in our own strength or understanding, for both can fail us easily when faced with life’s temptations or trials. The best way to live is by relying fully on God’s will for our lives and by trusting Him with every decision we make.
Resisting the Flesh
The Bible teaches us that we must resist the flesh in order to follow God’s commands. We must strive to live in obedience to His will, and that means putting our sinful desires behind us. The following verses offer us guidance on how to do this:
Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Galatians 5:16-17: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
1 Peter 2:11: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
Colossians 3:5-6: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.”
These verses show us that resisting our sinful desires is an important part of following God’s commands. We must fight against our desire for worldly pleasures and instead focus on living a life of obedience. By doing this we can find true joy in His presence!
Works of the Flesh
The Bible teaches us to hate the works of the flesh. The works of the flesh are sins that are committed against God, such as idolatry, sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, drunkenness, and debauchery. Galatians 5:19-21 gives a list of these sins:
- Sexual immorality
- Impurity
- Sensuality
- Idolatry
- Sorcery
- Enmity
- Strife
- Jealousy
- Fits of anger
- Rivalries
- Dissensions
These sins lead to death and destruction and should be avoided at all costs. In Colossians 3:5-7, Paul tells us to put to death what is earthly in us: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” By avoiding these sins we can live a life pleasing to God.
Romans 12:9 also encourages us to “abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” We should strive to live lives that are pleasing in God’s eyes by avoiding the works of the flesh and embracing goodness and holiness instead. We must take heed not only for our own spiritual health but also for the spiritual health of those around us.
In Ephesians 5:11-12 Paul tells us not to participate in the works of darkness but instead expose them for what they are: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.” By exposing these sins we can help others see their destructive nature and encourage them to turn away from them and pursue righteousness instead.
Conclusion
The Bible speaks to us about our flesh and the importance of controlling it. It encourages us to be mindful of our flesh, and to use it in ways that will honor God. Our flesh can be used for good or for evil, and we must choose wisely how we use it. Fleshly desires should not become idols in our lives, as this will bring us further away from God’s will. We must strive to keep our hearts, minds, and bodies pure so that we can live a life that is pleasing to God.
Ultimately, the way we use our flesh should be guided by the Word of God. The Bible teaches us how to live according to His will and how to use our bodies in a way that honors Him. Learning to control our fleshly desires requires dedication and discipline, but by trusting in the Lord’s guidance we can attain true freedom from sin and death. May we all strive to keep our focus on God’s Word and embrace His plan for us as revealed in His Holy Scriptures.

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