Unfortunately, many will use certain verses out of context to build their theology. There are many versus that talk about the "lust of the flesh," or "gratifying the desires of the flesh." These verses are used to claim that sexuality in the body is not of the spirit, and that the spirit is contrary to sexual pleasures. What's important is that we look at the context of these verses to see what they are really talking about and not just make them mean what fits our preconceived beliefs. The truth is that the "lust of the flesh" is referencing the sin nature that we have as humans from the fall. Not everything in the body is bad, but sin is bad. Let's take a look at these verses as none of them are talking about the subject of sex, but instead about sin. I've included the surrounding verses so as to read the context in which these phrases were written. You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Gal. 5:13-26 (Does "indulge the flesh" or "gratify the desires of the flesh" mean that all bodily pleasure is evil? No, Paul contrasts this with being free. What constitutes freedom, and what is permissible? Paul makes a big list of what is considered an "act of the flesh" and what is considered "fruit of the Spirit." Fruit of the spirit is still acts within the body. So flesh does not equal all acts of the body. Flesh equals all acts of sin. Jesus crucifying the flesh is speaking of his atonement for our sins.) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. Eph. 2:1-3 (Does this mean that everything our bodies crave for pleasure is evil? No, this verse shows that the desires of the flesh must be "followed." The context of the verse also shows that the desires of the flesh are in reference to sin. The ways of the world are in reference to the ways of the spirit of disobedience.) This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. 2 Peter 2:10 (This verse indicates that the desire of the flesh must be followed. It is not simply something inherent in the body as in everything the body does is considered evil.) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 1 Peter 1:4 (The "divine nature" is contrasted with "lust." Does this mean that sexual desire is contrary to the divine nature? No, because that is not what lust is. To understand lust, please read The BIBLICAL Definition Of Lust.) Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:11-12 (Does "abstain from fleshly lusts" mean to deny all sexual desire? No, Peter is telling them not to be hypocrites as that will diminish their testimony to the Gentiles. The context shows this as Peter contrasts "evildoers" with "good works." Peter also clarifies which lusts, the ones that "war against the soul.") Ecclesiastes The book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon and must be put into perspective. Solomon followed God at the beginning of his life. The many wives he married ultimately dragged him away from God. Solomon pursued every earthly pleasure there was whether it was sexual or pleasures in his labor resulting in many riches. Solomon went from saying all these things are meaningless and that all is vanity to saying all these pleasures are a gift from God as he pondered his life. In the end Solomon concluded... The end message of Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes is to put God first in your life. If you don't then all your other pursuits are in fact meaningless. If you do, then all your other pursuits are a gift of God and you should enjoy them with thanksgiving. Are We To Pursue Earthly Pleasures? “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matt. 6:19-24 (Does this mean that a man may not seek to earn money and have nice things for himself and his family? Certainly not, your treasure is the most important thing you have. It is saying that God should be number 1 in your life. Having 2 masters is having 2 number 1's, which is impossible. The eye being the lamp of the body is an analogy to illustrate that if the eyes aren't right, if the treasure isn't in heaven, if God isn't number 1; then the rest of the body is not right, then your treasure on earth is worthless, and you have another master. It is not saying that we can't enjoy earthly pleasures.) Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. Eccl. 5:19 (It is God's gift to enjoy that which we worked hard to produce.) Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. Psalm 52:7 (This verse also says that God should be #1 priority in your life. And it's not riches that are bad, but the trust in riches over God as the provider of those riches.) He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. Prov. 11:28 (Riches aren't bad, but trusting in them over God is bad.) And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Mark 10:23-25 (Again, trust in riches, not simply having riches.) Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. 6:17-19 (Trust in God, not your riches. But riches aren't bad as God gives it to us to enjoy.) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12 (Paul himself knows what it is to both have riches and be poor. But whichever your situation, the important thing is having contentment in that and giving thanks to God.) |