The Dangers of Trusting Your Flesh

The desires of the flesh are in opposition to those of the Spirit; they are two rival forces. For that very reason, the apostles teach us through Romans, Colossians, 1 John and other epistles about the precautions we need to take while living in the world and in the flesh. 

Romans 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey it in its (lusts) desires.
We should not allow or give permission to sin, the old master, to reign anymore in our mortal bodies. The flesh has its own passions, desires and lust. Even after being saved, we can give ourselves over to sin, and I’m gonna share a few reasons by which believers fall for the sin/sinful desires. 

1. The ignorance that though our spirit is redeemed, our flesh/ human body is still vulnerable to sin. Many people trust in their flesh and fall to the trap of the devil. 
2. Sometimes people think that they haven’t committed a particular sin for a long time and they become confident in the flesh - ‘I’m sure I will not fall’ mentality. 

For instance, a person who was a chronic alcoholic before being saved would later be tempted in the flesh after years in a disappointing/ stressful situation, although he knows the Word and is involved in ministry. It would start with the temptation to take a small peg in order to feel better and relaxed which will gradually increase and the person will return to his old drunkard state. Another such area is sexual immorality. No matter how long it has been since you're saved, flesh is flesh. Flesh will never improve. Your mind can be renewed, but flesh remains the same. God's gifts and His call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29) and therefore, people with great spiritual gifts continue in sin even when they minister to thousands; because they trust in their flesh.

Do not take things for granted. Do not trust your own flesh, no matter how mature you are in the Lord. Each person has a principal sin, and therefore do not trust your flesh at all in that particular kind of sin - it could be substance abuse, sexual immorality, etc. You have to see the danger first, and avoid/ escape such situations. Be on your guard and pray, because the flesh is like a wild animal that can never be tamed.

1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Paul was always watchful and careful to keep his flesh under control by the Holy Spirit. Before being saved, we all ‘lived in the flesh’; but after being saved, we can ‘walk after the flesh’ and there can be a separation from God; and the alarming thing is that people can take their ministry forward even though they’ve personally drifted away from God. This can happen to any person and that’s the naked truth which the devil hides from the children of God and they become a prey for what’s called, ‘the leadership trap’ or the ‘pitfalls of a leader’.

Watch the full video here: