Desires of the flesh

Galatians 5:16-24

          When we hear of the desires of the flesh we often think about sex. Never too far from being a good subject of thought but that is not what I had in mind here. The flesh itself, those things that are of this world are often at the forefront of our minds and our motivations.

           Today the church recalls the 'martyrs of Japan'.  At any point in time after Jesus died and rose and people began proclaiming the good news, they came across different cultures and different ways of thought. Rather than engage in listening, learning and understanding, people have often acted out of misunderstanding, suspicion and perhaps even jealousy. 

            Rather than speak of sex, we want to control and contain our own lives. Perhaps it is what we consider to be our own comfortable way of life or simply what we understand. Rather than going out of ourselves to learn and listen we have conflict, misunderstanding and even hatred. Think of the times that Christianity was brought to a new area of the globe. What happened to Christianity in Spain, in the Americas, in Japan and even with the introduction of a new and strange religion of Mohammad? So often history has shown us that the introduction resulted in fighting, killing, inquisitions and torture (on both sides).  Not our finest hours as humans. 

       Truth be told we like things the way they are, we often hearken back to "the good old days". The desires of the flesh are so much more than just sex. They are an attachment to this life or a way of life and let the world be damned if we have to try and listen or understand the 'others', whomever they are.

        I think the desires of sexual activity is a God given joy to be embraced and revelled in. It is not the evil this passage speaks of in my mind. Sex has altogether gotten too bad a rap. The evils of the flesh come down to narrow mindedness, selfishness, worldliness and lack of love and understanding.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.