“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” – John 3:6
Although Jesus introduces the distinction between flesh and spirit in the Gospels, the full teaching on these two realities comes through the letters of Paul and other apostles after the Acts of the Apostles. This lesson will explore the characteristics, conflicts, and destinies of the flesh and spirit, revealing how believers are called to live not in the flesh, but in the Spirit.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Flesh (Greek: sarx) | The natural, self-centered human nature inherited from Adam; marked by mortality, corruption, and independence from God. |
| Spirit (Greek: pneuma) | The divine nature, born of God, given through Christ; marked by life, righteousness, and union with God. |
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." – Galatians 5:19–21
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” – Romans 8:7
“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption...” – Galatians 6:8a
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die...” – Romans 8:13a
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6
“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” – Romans 8:10
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22–23
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” – Romans 8:14
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other...” – Galatians 5:17
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing...” – Romans 7:18
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” – Galatians 5:24
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” – Colossians 3:9–10
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25
| Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Flesh | Death, corruption, separation from God (Romans 8:13 – "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die..." ) |
| Spirit | Eternal life, glory, and inheritance (Romans 8:11 – "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you... he shall also quicken your mortal bodies..." ) (Romans 8:17 – "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ...") |
“But he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” – Galatians 6:8b
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.” – Romans 8:9
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” – Romans 13:14
We are called to live from our new identity in Christ — not as mere men born of Adam, but as sons and daughters born of the Spirit. The old man is dead. The new creation has come. Let us walk in the Spirit.