Exhortation — The Spiritual Man

Exhortation

If we allow the Holy Spirit to work deeply in us through the cross, then the circumcision we have received will become more real day by day. “For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Phil 3:3, NRSVue). The heart that once trusted in the flesh has now lost its power because it has undergone a circumcision not made by human hands. Here the apostle takes “boasting in Christ Jesus” as the very center, pointing out to us both the danger on one side and the safeguard on the other. To trust in the flesh is the surest way to corrupt our boasting in Christ Jesus; but to worship in the Spirit brings us into the blessedness of life and truth. The Holy Spirit exalts the Lord Jesus, but He humbles the flesh.

If we truly wish to boast in Christ and desire that He may also boast in us, if we truly long in our experience to glory only in Christ Jesus, then we must on the one hand undergo the circumcision of the cross, and on the other hand learn to worship in the Spirit. There is no need to force it, for forcing is the work of the flesh. There is no need for methods, for methods require the help of the flesh before they can be used. It is rather an absolute refusal to trust the flesh, no matter how good, how capable, or how talented it may seem; but instead, trusting only the Spirit and obeying Him alone. If such faith and obedience are present, the flesh will be humbled, kept in its accursed position, and deprived of its power. May God grant us grace that we may despise ourselves more, count ourselves as more untrustworthy, and understand how utterly useless we are—absolutely not trusting in our flesh. This is true death. Without death, there is none of this.

“Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence.” (Gal 5:13, NRSVue). Death is the flesh’s place. We have already received freedom in the Lord, but we must not give the flesh any opportunity. Let us beware lest, even unintentionally, we claim the Spirit’s work as our own. We must watch constantly, lest the flesh revive. We must not take the glory of victory to ourselves—otherwise the flesh gains an opportunity to act. After a momentary victory, do not think you are now secure; for if you thus give it an opportunity, your fall is near. Do not imagine that because the flesh has long been powerless, you have now learned everything and gained the strength to fight and always overcome it. If you thus rely on yourself and lose the heart of complete dependence, the flesh has already gained an opportunity, and it will surely bring you bitter experiences again. The attitude of helpless dependence must be guarded with holy diligence. This is the point where the flesh attacks. The least self-reliance gives it an opening. Do not fear losing face before people. After teaching about crucifying the flesh and walking by the Spirit, the apostle said, “Let us not become conceited.” (Gal 5:26, NRSVue). As we know our uselessness before God, so we must not boast before others. If, for the sake of personal glory, we hide the weakness of the flesh before men, we thereby give the flesh an opportunity to act. The Spirit helps us and strengthens us, but He does not take our place. We ourselves must maintain the attitude of giving no opportunity to the flesh, and truly give it none.

“Make no provision for the flesh.” (Rom 13:14, NRSVue). The works of the flesh always require a forerunner, and thus we must never give it any place. We must always be watchful, ensuring that the flesh remains in its accursed position. We must examine ourselves to see if in our thoughts we have made provision for it. Even the slightest thought of our own goodness can give it an opportunity to work. Here—in the thoughts—is the most critical point. For even if provision is made only in thought, what is hidden in the secret places of the mind will eventually be expressed in words and deeds in the light. The flesh must not be given a place. In conversation, we must be cautious, lest in much speaking the flesh begins to act. However much we may feel like speaking, unless we speak in dependence on the Spirit, we ought not to say a word; otherwise, we are making provision for the flesh, allowing it to act. Still more so in deeds: the flesh has many plans, hopes, and devices. It has its opinions, abilities, and talents. All these may appear good before others and even in our own eyes. But we must never spare them, never keep what seems best, lest we transgress the Lord’s command. Without hesitation, we must consign to death all that we consider best—not for any reason other than that they belong to ourselves, that is, to the flesh. The sins of the flesh and the righteousness of the flesh must alike be hated. To do a good deed in the flesh requires the same repentance as to commit a great sin in the flesh. We must always adopt God’s view of the flesh.

If, unfortunately, we fail, we must examine ourselves, confess, and seek cleansing in the precious blood. “Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit.” (2 Cor 7:1, NRSVue). Let there be no sparing, no hesitation, no unwillingness to part with anything, lest we fall deeper into the flesh. The apostle’s exhortation is that we “cleanse ourselves.” Not only does the Spirit work, not only does the blood work—we ourselves must also work to cleanse. We must search out every defilement of the flesh and hand it over to the cross of the Lord. Though what we have done may not be sinful in human judgment, if it is done in reliance upon self, then however excellent it may seem, in God’s sight it is still defilement. “What is born of the flesh is flesh.” (John 3:6, NRSVue). Whether persons or things, the outward shell does not matter to God; it is the source that matters to Him. Therefore, we must cleanse not only our sins but also ourselves from every work of the flesh. “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.” (1 Pet 2:11, NRSVue).