Practical Ways to Resist Temptation and Mortify Fleshly Desires
Resisting Temptation and Mortifying Fleshly Desires
The Bible warns believers against entering into temptation, with Jesus instructing his disciples to "watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation" [1, 2]. This warning is rooted in the understanding that the flesh is weak, and that believers are engaged in a spiritual struggle against sinful desires.
The concept of mortifying fleshly desires is closely tied to the idea of self-denial, which is a key aspect of Christian discipleship. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, self-denial is necessary for following Christ and involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts [3]. This is echoed in the writings of the early Church Fathers, such as Augustine, who notes that the flesh lusts against the spirit, and that believers must resist these desires in order to live a life pleasing to God [4].
One of the primary ways to resist temptation is through prayer and vigilance. Jesus' instruction to "watch and pray" emphasizes the importance of being mindful of one's spiritual state and seeking God's help in times of temptation [1, 2]. The apostle Paul also writes about the importance of putting to death the deeds of the flesh through the power of the Spirit [6].
The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, understands prudence of the flesh as a vice that is opposed to prudence, and notes that it can be a mortal sin if it involves a deliberate choice to follow one's sinful desires [7]. In contrast, the Reformed tradition, as represented by John Calvin, emphasizes the role of God's grace in enabling believers to resist temptation and live a life of obedience to God [8].
The early Church Fathers also wrote about the importance of resisting temptation and mortifying fleshly desires. Tertullian notes that the devil is the author of temptation, and that believers must be aware of his tactics in order to resist them [5]. Origen writes about the need to withdraw from the association of the body and to chastise vices in order to live a life of chastity [9].
In practical terms, resisting temptation and mortifying fleshly desires involves a range of strategies, including prayer, self-discipline, and a reliance on God's grace. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary on Titus 2:12 notes that the grace of God "disciplines us" and enables us to live a life of self-control and godliness [10]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, writes that believers must "resist the devil" and not yield to temptation, emphasizing the importance of personal agency and responsibility in the struggle against sin [11].
Sources
- Mark “Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -- Mark 14:38”
- Matthew “Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -- Matthew 26:41”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 35 [XXXI.]--THE FLESH, CARNAL AFFEC- (part 2): long as the flesh lusts against the spirit--without, however, subjugating the mind, inasmuch as on its side, too, the spirit has a concupiscence contrary to the flesh.[1] Thus, although the actual law of sin partly holds the flesh in captivity (whence comes its resistance to the law of the mind), still it has not an absolute empire in our body, notwithstanding its mortal state, since it refuses obedience to its desires,[2] For in the case of hostile armies between whom there is an earnest conflict, ev”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. II.--ON' THE OPPOSING POWERS. (part 5): occasions and beginnings of sins, which these hostile powers spread far and wide, and, if possible, beyond all limits. Thus, when men at first for a little desire money, covetousness begins to grow as the passion increases, and finally the fall into avarice takes place. And after this, when blindness of mind has succeeded passion, and the hostile powers, by their suggestions, hurry on the mind, money is now no longer desired, but stolen, and acquired by force, or even by shedding human b”
- 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”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Vices Opposed to Prudence by Way of Resemblance, Art. 2: Article: Whether prudence of the flesh is a mortal sin? I answer that, As stated above (Question [47], Article [2], ad 1; Article [13]), a man is said to be prudent in two ways. First, simply, i.e. in relation to the end of life as a whole. Secondly, relatively, i.e. in relation to some particular end; thus a man is said to be prudent in business or something else of the kind. Accordingly if prudence of the flesh be taken as corresponding to prudence in its ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: and the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works,” ( Tit. 2:11-14 ). After holding forth the grace of God to animate us, and pave the way for His true worship, he removes the two greatest obstacles which stand in the way—viz. ungodliness, to which we are by nature too prone, and worldly lusts, which are of still greater extent. Under ungodliness , he includes not merely superst”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — OF THE DISCIPLINE AND ADVANTAGE OF CHASTITY.[1] (part 10): intercourse, but hurls them into crime. Therefore, in opposition to these fleshly snares, by which the devil both obtrudes himself as a companion and makes himself a leader, we must struggle with every kind of strength. Let the aid of Christ be appropriated, according to the apostle, and let the mind be withdrawn as much as possible from the association of the body; let consent be withheld from the body; let vices be always chastised, that they may be hated; let that misshapen and degra”
- Titus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Titus 2:12: Teaching--Greek, "disciplining us." Grace exercises discipline, and is imparted in connection with disciplining chastisements (Co1 11:32; Heb 12:6-7). The education which the Christian receives from "the grace" of God is a discipline often trying to flesh and blood: just as children need disciplining. The discipline which it exercises teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Greek, "age," or course of things) where such self-discipline is needed, seeing that its spirit is oppos”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 6:13: Neither yield ye your members - Do not yield to temptation. It is no sin to be tempted, the sin lies in yielding. While the sin exists only in Satan's solicitation, it is the devil's sin, not ours: when we yield, we make the devil's sin our own: then we Enter Into temptation. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Satan himself cannot force you to sin: till he wins over your will, he cannot bring you into subjection. You may be tempted; but yield not to the temptation. Yield yourselves unto God - Let God have your wills; keep them ever on his side; there they ”