Romans: Kill or Be Killed

Romans 8:12-17 explores the distinction between the mindset of the flesh and that of the Spirit — where one path leads to death and the other to life and peace. It is an underlying struggle within every believer. However, it is important to recognize that the flesh is not always about overt sins like anger or greed. It often manifests as spiritual passivity — a subtle yet powerful force that can shape us into its image over time. We are called to a stance of warfare against the flesh. The Apostle Paul uses stark language in this section to invite us into the grim reality of spiritual conflict. This battle is not of flesh and blood but against our disordered desires, the wayward urges that rebel against the King and His Kingdom.

What does it mean to wage this war? It is about much more than physical combat; it is the quiet, unwavering submission and obedience to Jesus. This battle strategy involves the whole self, demanding every part of our being to be devoted to Jesus, empowered by His Spirit to mortify the flesh. C.S. Lewis in the "Screwtape Letters" reminds us of the profound impact of steadfast obedience, even when every trace of God seems to vanish from sight. It is in this steadfastness, this unwavering commitment to do the Father’s will amidst the silence, that true spiritual warfare is waged.

As we dive into Romans 8:12-17, we find ourselves at the crossroads of obligation and freedom. Paul compares the tyranny of the flesh with the splendor of being God's child, emphasizing our freedom from a cruel captor. It is within this framework — the assurance that there is "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" and that we are indeed God's adopted children — that our motivation to fight finds its fuel. This battle cry is not a call to arms in the traditional sense but a summons to a life lived in the fullness of the Spirit — a life that rejects passivity and actively engages in spiritual warfare.

1. You Belong to the Victor, so Fight From Victory

This truth is not a mere rallying cry for morale but the foundation of our identity in Christ. Our engagement in the spiritual warfare that rages within us, the relentless pursuit to kill the flesh, is not to earn our place as God's children. Rather, it is the result of an identity already secured. We do not fight for victory, but from victory — a victory already won through Christ's triumph over sin and death. This means we are no longer strangers to God but beloved sons and daughters. It is from this place of identity that we draw the strength to combat our wayward desires. This adoption signifies a profound relationship with the Creator of the universe. Imagine, the same God who spoke galaxies into existence calls you His child. He is not distant or detached but intimately involved in our lives, attentive to every call of our hearts.

Our brotherhood with Christ signifies that we share in His inheritance. Everything that belongs to Christ — His authority, His peace, His joy — is also ours. This kinship is not limited to our relationship with God but extends horizontally to our fellow believers. We are part of a spiritual family, bound together by the indwelling Spirit of God, offering and receiving Christ's presence from one another. Understanding our adoption is crucial for the battle against the flesh. Without rooting ourselves in this truth, our efforts to combat sin are reduced to mere willpower — an unreliable weapon in spiritual warfare. 

Our victory in this fight is contingent upon embracing our identity as God's beloved children. It is an acknowledgment that in the midst of this battle, we are already victors through Christ. We are not fighting for victory; we are fighting from the place of victory already secured for us on the cross. This realization does not just fuel our fight; it defines it. In Christ, we have an unbeatable position, an inheritance that empowers us to face every battle with the assurance of victory. From this vantage point, equipped with the knowledge of our adoption and the resources of heaven at our disposal, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

2. You Owe the Flesh Nothing, so Give it Nothing 

The notion that we owe the flesh nothing is a liberating truth meant to be lived out daily. Imagine for a moment, you are informed that a generous donor has cleared a hefty bill that was hanging over your head. Would you continue to make payments? Of course not. In the same vein, Paul implores us to recognize that through Christ, the debt we owe to the flesh — our sinful nature and its demands — has been fully paid. There is no longer any obligation to live according to its commands.

How often do we find ourselves enslaved to desires that promise fulfillment but deliver emptiness? The flesh, with its immediate and often intense demands, promises life but inevitably leads to spiritual death. It is a cruel creditor, demanding payments that only impoverish us further, stripping away our spiritual vitality with each submission we make to its demands. However, the Spirit invites us to a different way of living — one that aligns with our deepest desires for peace, contentment, and joy. These are not fleeting emotions contingent on our circumstances but the enduring fruit of a life led by the Spirit. It is about fighting from a place of victory, knowing that we are no longer slaves to sin but beloved children of God, fully equipped to confront and conquer the flesh's demands.

Paul's comparison between living according to the flesh and by the Spirit highlights a profound truth: both promise to lead us to life, but only one tells the truth. The flesh's road may seem appealing, lined with the appeal of immediate gratification, but it ultimately leads to death. The Spirit's path, though it may involve momentary hardships and sacrifices, guides us to the abundant life Jesus promised — one marked by genuine fulfillment and eternal joy.

The flesh is not a gentle presence that can be ignored or appeased; it is a formidable adversary that seeks to devour our spiritual life. Our stance cannot be one of passive resistance but active warfare. We must recognize the flesh's demands for what they are: attempts to drag us back into bondage. Our response should be absolute rejection, grounded in the truth of our adoption into God's family. Embracing our identity as God's children empowers us to resist the flesh's claims on us. We are not helpless debtors, obligated to follow its whims; we are heirs of the Kingdom with the power of the Holy Spirit to claim victory over sin. This battle is fought not in our strength but through our surrender to the Spirit, who enables us to fulfill our deepest desire — to live in the fullness of life and peace that is our inheritance in Christ.

3. In Cooperation With the Spirit, Kill the Flesh

In partnership with the Spirit, we are called to kill the flesh, adopting a stance of vigilance and warfare against our sinful desires. This does not mean engaging in physical battles but embodying the radical obedience and submission to God's will that even the greatest kings in Scripture demonstrated. It means purging our lives of anything that detracts from our devotion to God, much like Josiah’s zealous reform in ancient Israel.

As believers, we are engaged in a relentless war against the flesh, not with physical weapons but with the truth of our identity in Christ and the power of the Spirit. This battle requires us to wake up daily with the awareness that the flesh seeks to rob us of the joy, hope, and peace that are ours in Christ. Our response must be one of vigilance, grounded in the truth that we are God’s adopted children, called to live out the victory Christ has secured for us.

In this warfare, the Spirit empowers us to reflect Christ's image, transforming our desires and actions. This transformation demands active engagement and a willingness to let go of our fleshly desires in favor of God’s perfect will for our lives. Our victory over the flesh is not just about avoiding sin; it is about actively pursuing the Spirit-led life that aligns with our identity as children of God.

How to War Against the Flesh

Josiah modeled what you and I are to do in our war against the flesh. Here are three steps we can learn from the life of Josiah:

Acknowledge Your Powerlessness and Seek the Presence of God

In our battle against the flesh, the first step is to recognize our utter inability to win this war on our own. This is not an admission of defeat but an acknowledgment of the absolute necessity for divine intervention. Our powerlessness serves as a stark reminder of our dependence on the strength that comes from God alone. True victory is not born out of human effort or resolve but from a deep, abiding relationship with Christ. It is about training in righteousness, immersing ourselves in Scripture, and investing time in prayer, and in doing so, we are able to draw near to God's presence. As we abide in Christ, we align our desires with His, allowing His power to work through our weaknesses.

Stop Playing Games With Sin and Recognize its Malignant and Malicious Nature

Too often, we trivialize sin, treating it as a minor hindrance rather than the mortal enemy it is. The flesh promises fulfillment and pleasure but delivers only death and destruction. Like vigilant soldiers on the battlefield, we must recognize the insidious nature of the flesh. It seeks not just to tempt us but to enslave us, robbing us of the joy and peace promised in Christ. Recognizing sin's hostile nature requires a shift in perspective, seeing it through the lens of eternity rather than the momentary satisfaction it offers. This understanding fuels our resolve to fight, knowing that every concession to the flesh is a step toward spiritual death.

Identify the Strongholds and Lay the Axe There

We like to describe recurring sins as mere struggles, but this language belittles the reality of their stronghold on our lives. These are not mere challenges to be occasionally wrestled with but fortresses of rebellion against God's rule in our hearts. Identifying these strongholds is the first step toward freedom. It demands honesty, vulnerability, and courage. We must be willing to lay the axe at the root, addressing not just the symptoms but the underlying causes of our sin. This process might require drastic measures — changing habits, ending toxic relationships, or seeking accountability. It is a call to radical obedience and faith, trusting that the freedom Christ offers is worth every sacrifice.

As we engage in this war against the flesh, let's embrace the full weight of what it means to be soldiers of Christ. The battle is fierce, and the cost is high, but the victory is already ours in Jesus. With the power of the Holy Spirit and our identity as God's adopted children, we fight not for victory but from the victory that Christ has already secured. This path is marked by daily dying to self, by surrendering every moment to God's will. It is in this surrender that we find true life, peace, and joy that surpasses all understanding. In Christ alone, we find the strength to fight, the grace to persevere, and the assurance of our ultimate triumph over the flesh.