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Desires of the Flesh Warned Against in Scripture

The concept of "desires of the flesh" in Scripture refers to the sinful inclinations and appetites that oppose God's Spirit and lead to unrighteous actions. This idea is prominent in both the Old and New Testaments, though its articulation becomes particularly central in Pauline epistles.

In the Old Testament, "flesh" (Hebrew: basar) can refer to the physical body, all living things, or humanity in its weakness and mutability [8]. For instance, Genesis 9:4 prohibits eating flesh with its blood, indicating a physical understanding [4]. However, the concept also carries moral implications. Practices like cutting the flesh were associated with idolatrous worship and were forbidden to the Israelites, highlighting a distinction between acceptable and unacceptable bodily expressions [9, 11]. The prophet Isaiah denounces "indulgence of the flesh" as a sin that leads to ruin [16]. Rabbinic tradition, as seen in Rashi's commentary on Ecclesiastes, interprets "flesh" in some contexts as referring to desires that lead to evil, suggesting a need to remove such inclinations [21].

The New Testament expands upon this understanding, particularly through the apostle Paul. Here, "flesh" (Greek: sarx) often denotes the sinful nature or the unregenerate human condition that stands in opposition to the Spirit of God [8]. Paul explicitly warns against "the desires of the flesh" in several letters. In 1 Corinthians, he instructs believers to "keep away from the desires of the flesh," stating that while other sins are outside the body, this sin "does evil to his body" [1]. He also advises against associating with those who pursue such desires [5].

The tension between the "flesh" and the "Spirit" is a key theme in Galatians. Paul writes, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these things are opposed one to the other, that ye should not do those things which ye desire" [3]. This passage highlights an internal struggle within believers. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, notes that the Scriptures teach the Holy Spirit dwells in every believer, and this indwelling Spirit is contrary to the lusts of the flesh [13]. John Gill elaborates that "flesh" in this context refers to the corruption of nature that persists even in regenerate persons, manifesting in "fleshly" lusts and works [14]. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown emphasize that walking by the Spirit prevents fulfilling the lusts of the flesh due to their inherent contrariety [19]. Augustine also addresses this struggle, quoting Paul's words from Galatians and emphasizing the perilous nature of this internal conflict [18].

The "works of the flesh" are enumerated in Galatians 5:19-21 and include various sins such as sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies. Torrey's Topical Textbook further categorizes strife, drunkenness, and malice as works of the flesh [7, 10, 12]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, frequently warns against "youthful lusts" and the "lusts of the flesh," noting their dangerous nature and the need for vigilance even among the devout [15, 17].

The Jerusalem Council in Acts also addressed practices related to "desires of the flesh" for Gentile converts, instructing them to "abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood" [2, 6]. This demonstrates an early apostolic concern for practical holiness and separation from practices associated with paganism and carnal indulgence.

Augustine, in City of God, clarifies that "living after the flesh" is evil, even though the nature of flesh itself is not inherently evil. He explains that "flesh" can be used to represent the whole person, and the problem lies in the sinful inclinations rather than the physical substance [20]. He also touches on the idea that "unto the pure all things are pure," but warns against eating with offense, indicating that the issue is not merely the physical act but the spiritual disposition and its impact [22].

Sources

  1. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 6:18 (BBE) — Keep away from the desires of the flesh. Every sin which a man does is outside of the body; but he who goes after the desires of the flesh does evil to his body.”
  2. Acts “Acts 15:20 (BSB) — Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.”
  3. Galatians “Galatians 5:17 (Darby) — For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these things are opposed one to the other, that ye should not do those things which ye desire;”
  4. Genesis “But flesh with its life, that is, its blood, you shall not eat. -- Genesis 9:4”
  5. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 5:9 (BBE) — In my letter I said to you that you were not to keep company with those who go after the desires of the flesh;”
  6. Acts “Acts 15:29 (LEB) — that you abstain from food sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from ⌞these things⌟ you will do well. Farewell. </block>”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Flesh — In the Old Testament denotes (1) a particular part of the body of man and animals (Gen. 2:21; 41:2; Ps. 102:5, marg.); (2) the whole body (Ps. 16:9); (3) all living things having flesh, and particularly humanity as a whole (Gen. 6:12, 13); (4) mutability and weakness (2 Chr. 32:8; comp. Isa. 31:3; Ps. 78:39). As suggesting the idea of softness it is used in the expression "heart of flesh" (Ezek. 11:19). The expression "my flesh and bone" (Judg. 9:2; Isa. 58:7) denotes relationship. In the New Testament, besides these it is also used to denote the sinful eleme”
  9. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Cutting — The flesh in various ways was an idolatrous practice, a part of idol-worship (Deut. 14:1; 1 Kings 18:28). The Israelites were commanded not to imitate this practice (Lev. 19:28; 21:5; Deut. 14:1). The tearing of the flesh from grief and anguish of spirit in mourning for the dead was regarded as a mark of affection (Jer. 16:6; 41:5; 48:37). Allusions are made in Revelation (13:16; 17:5; 19:20) to the practice of printing marks on the body, to indicate allegiance to a deity. We find also references to it, through in a different direction, by Paul (Gal. 6; 7) ”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Drunkenness — Forbidden -- Eph 5:18. Caution against -- Lu 21:34. Is a work of the flesh -- Ga 5:21. Is debasing -- Isa 28:8. Is inflaming -- Isa 5:11. Overcharges the heart -- Lu 21:34. Takes away the heart -- Ho 4:11. Leads to Poverty. -- Pr 21:17; 23:21. Strife. -- Pr 23:29,30. Woe and sorrow. -- Pr 23:29,30. Error. -- Isa 28:7. Contempt of God's works. -- Isa 5:12. Scorning. -- Ho 7:5. Rioting and wantonness. -- Ro 13:13. The wicked addicted to -- Da 5:1-4. False teachers often addicted to -- Isa 56:12. Folly of yielding to -- Pr 20:1. Avoid those given to -- Pr ”
  11. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Cuttings [in The Flesh] — Cuttings in the flesh, or the laceration of one's body for the "propitiation of their gods," (1 Kings 18:28) constituted a prominent feature of idolatrous worship, especially among the Syrians. The Israelites were prohibited from indulging in such practices. (Leviticus 19:28; 21:5; 14:1; Jeremiah 16:6)”
  12. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Malice — Springs from an evil heart -- Mt 15:19,20; Ga 5:19. Forbidden -- 1Co 14:20; Col 3:8; Eph 4:26,27. A hindrance to growth in grace -- 1Pe 2:1,2. Incompatible with the worship of God -- 1Co 5:7,8. Christian liberty not to be a cloak for -- 1Pe 2:16. Saints avoid -- Job 31:29,30; Ps 35:12-14. The wicked Speak with. -- 3Jo 1:10. Live in. -- Tit 3:3. Conceive. -- Ps 7:14. Filled with. -- Ro 1:29. Visit saints with. -- Ps 83:3; Mt 22:6. Pray for those who injure you through -- Mt 5:44. Brings its own punishment -- Ps 7:15,16. God requites -- Ps 10:14; Eze 36:5. Pun”
  13. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 31: Galatians v. 16-26 . Another passage of like import is Galatians v. 16-26 , “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not full the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would,” etc., etc. The Scriptures teach that the Spirit of God dwells in his people, not only collectively as the Church, but individually in every believer, so that of every Christian it may be said, he is a temple of the Holy Ghost. God is”
  14. Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 5:16: For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,.... By "flesh" is meant, not the carnal or literal sense of the Scripture, which is Origen's gloss, as militating against the spiritual sense of it; nor the sensual part of man rebelling against his rational powers; but the corruption of nature, which still is in regenerate persons: and is so called because it is propagated by carnal generation; has for its object carnal things; its lusts and works are fleshly; and though it has its seat in the heart, it shows itself in the flesh or members of the body, which are yielded as”
  15. Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 7 (introduction): The scope of this chapter is, as of several before, to warn young men against the lusts of the flesh. Solomon remembered of what ill consequence it was to his father, perhaps found himself, and perceived his son, addicted to it, or at least had observed how many hopeful young men among his subjects had been ruined by those lusts; and therefore he thought he could never say enough to dissuade men from them, that "every one may possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, and not in the lusts of uncleanness." In this chapter we have, I. A general e”
  16. Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 5:8: The world and the flesh are the two great enemies that we are in danger of being overpowered by; yet we are in no danger if we do not ourselves yield to them. Eagerness of the world, and indulgence of the flesh, are the two sins against which the prophet, in God's name, here denounces woes. These were sins which then abounded among the men of Judah, some of the wild grapes they brought forth (Isa 5:4), and for which God threatens to bring ruin upon them. They are sins which we have all need to stand upon our guard against and dread the consequences of. I. Here is a”
  17. 2 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Timothy 2:22: I. Paul here exhorts Timothy to beware of youthful lusts, Ti2 2:22. Though he was a holy good man, very much mortified to the world, yet Paul thought it necessary to caution him against youthful lusts: "Flee them, take all possible care and pains to keep thyself pure from them." The lusts of the flesh are youthful lusts, which young people must carefully watch against, and the best must not be secure. He prescribes an excellent remedy against youthful lusts: Follow righteousness, faith, charity peace, etc. Observe, 1. Youthful lusts are very dangerous, for whic”
  18. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — ON THE WORDS OF THE GOSPEL, JOHN V. 31, (part 4): that thy flesh should serve thy soul? Let thy soul serve God. Thou oughtest to be ruled, that thou mayest be able to rule. For so perilous is this struggle, that if thy Ruler forsake thee, ruin must ensue. 6. What struggle ? "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. But I say, Walk in the Spirit."[9] I am quoting the words of the Apostle, which have been just read out of his Epistle. "But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust”
  19. Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 5:17: For--the reason why walking by the Spirit will exclude fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, namely, their mutual contrariety. the Spirit--not "lusteth," but "tendeth (or some such word is to be supplied) against the flesh." so that ye cannot do the things that ye would--The Spirit strives against the flesh and its evil influence; the flesh against the Spirit and His good influence, so that neither the one nor the other can be fully carried out into action. "But" (Gal 5:18) where "the Spirit" prevails, the issue of the struggle no longer continues ”
  20. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 2. --OF CARNAL LIFE, WHICH IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD NOT ONLY OF LIVING IN BODILY INDULGENCE, BUT ALSO OF LIVING IN THE VICES OF THE INNER MAN. (part 2): part is used for the whole, flesh being named, while man is referred to, as in the quotations above cited. Since, then, Scripture uses the word flesh in many ways, which there is not time to collect and investigate, if we are to ascertain what it is to live after the flesh (which is certainly evil, though the nature of flesh is not itself evil), we must carefully examine that passage ”
  21. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Ecclesiastes 11:10: From your flesh. That you should have a heart of flesh. 26 Alternatively, if your flesh desires to indulge in anything that is evil, remove those desires from your flesh. (Metsudas Dovid)”
  22. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. XXXI.--ABOUT TO SPEAK OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE LUST OF THE FLESH, HE FIRST (part 3): the belly;"10 by which it appeareth, O my holy God, that Thou givest when what Thou commandest to be done is done. 46. Thou hast taught me, good Father, that "unto the pure all things are pure;"11 but "it is evil for that man who eateth with offence; "12 "and that every creature of Thine is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with, thanksgiving;"13 and that "meat commendeth us not to God;"14 and that no man should "judge us in meat or in dri”
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