“The soul, though of divine extraction, is so immersed in sensuality that it deserves no other name than flesh.
We wrestle not with "flesh and blood"-- that is, not with other men. "Handle me, and see," Jesus said, "for a spirit hath not flesh..." Luke 24:39. Now according to this interpretation, observe first of all how scornfully the Holy Spirit speaks of man, and second, where He lays the stress of the saint's battle: not in resisting flesh and blood, but in combating principalities and powers in the unseen world of spirits.
First of all, note that the Spirit reduces man to flesh and blood. Man has a heaven-born soul, which makes him kin to angels, and what is more, kin to God. But this is passed by in silence, as if God would not own that which is tainted with sin and no longer the creature as He first made it. The soul, though of divine extraction, is so immersed in sensuality that it deserves no other name than flesh to express its weakness and frailty. It is the word the Holy Ghost uses to express the impotence of a creature. For example, "They are men, and their horses are flesh"-- that is, weak Isaiah 31:3. On the contrary, when God wishes to emphasize the power and strength of a thing, He contrasts it to the flesh: "Our weapons are not carnal, but mighty" 2 Corinthians 10:4.
How this should humble you! The flesh, which you so often glory in, is but one step from filth and corruption. Your redeemed soul is the salt that preserves you, or else you would stink above ground. Are you proud of your beauty? It is the vanity of vanities! How soon will times's plow make furrows in your face, or illness so change your complexion that your doting lovers will abhor to look at you!
Is it strength you boast of? Alas, it is an arm of flesh that withers while you stretch it forth. Soon your blood, which is now warm, will freeze in your veins. Your marrow will dry in your bones, your sinews shrink, and your legs bow under the weight of your puny body.
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://
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