Consequences of Idolizing Fleshly Desires in Christian Life
The New Testament identifies the idolization of fleshly desires as a significant impediment to Christian life, often equating such desires with idolatry itself. Paul's letter to the Colossians explicitly states, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" [1]. This passage highlights a direct connection between unchecked carnal desires and the worship of something other than God.
The concept of idolatry, traditionally understood as bowing down to images or worshipping other gods, is expanded in Christian thought to include the misdirection of ultimate devotion [2]. John Gill, in his commentary on Galatians, notes that while some understand idolatry as covetousness, it more broadly refers to the worship of other gods or graven images [7]. However, the Colossians passage extends this definition to encompass internal dispositions and desires, suggesting that anything that takes precedence over God in one's affections can function as an idol [1]. Matthew Henry interprets Paul's exhortation to "mortify our members which are upon the earth" as a call to subdue "vicious habits of mind" that incline individuals toward worldly things, comparing it to killing an enemy or suppressing weeds [5].
The "lust of the flesh," "lust of the eyes," and "pride of life" are identified in 1 John 2:16 as encompassing "all that is in the world" [8]. Adam Clarke explains these as sensual and impure desires, inordinate desires for material possessions and finery, and the pursuit of worldly status and recognition, respectively [8]. These desires, when elevated to a position of ultimate importance, become objects of worship, effectively displacing God.
The consequences of idolizing fleshly desires are manifold, impacting an individual's spiritual well-being, their relationship with God, and their conduct within the community.
Spiritual Death and Separation from God: John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, draws a parallel between the body becoming a corpse when the soul departs and the soul becoming a corpse when the Holy Spirit withdraws its vital energy [10]. He suggests that the "altar of covetousness" is particularly destructive, sacrificing not only material possessions but the very soul itself [10]. When fleshly desires become paramount, they lead to a rejection of God, as individuals prioritize their own gratification over divine will [3]. This spiritual separation is a profound consequence, as it severs the life-giving connection with the Holy Spirit.
Moral Corruption and Sinful Behavior: The idolization of fleshly desires directly leads to a range of sinful behaviors. Paul lists "sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed" as components of the "earthly nature" that must be put to death [1]. Torrey's Topical Textbook links worldly amusements and pleasures to the "works of the flesh," which include idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, and other vices [3, 7]. These activities are described as transitory and ultimately vain, choking "the word of God in the heart" [3]. The pursuit of such pleasures can lead to greater evil, as seen in the example of Herod's oath leading to John the Baptist's death [3].
Selfishness and Disregard for Others: Idolizing one's own desires inherently fosters selfishness. Torrey's Topical Textbook identifies selfishness as contrary to God's law, which commands love for one's neighbor [4]. It manifests as being "lovers of ourselves," pleasing ourselves, seeking our own interests, and neglecting the poor [4]. This stands in stark contrast to the example of Christ, who did not please himself but sought the will of the Father and the good of others [4]. John Gill, commenting on 1 Corinthians, highlights how an imprudent use of Christian liberty, driven by self-interest, can cause a "stumblingblock" for weaker Christians, leading them to act against their conscience and wound their spirits [6]. This demonstrates how the idolization of personal desires can harm the broader Christian community.
Worldliness and Spiritual Blindness: Those who idolize fleshly desires are often characterized by worldliness, seeking happiness in transient pleasures rather than in God [3]. This can lead to a disregard for God's judgments and works, as their focus remains on immediate gratification [3]. The "false apostles" described by John Gill in Galatians are an example of those who desire to "make a fair show in the flesh," seeking outward appearance and human applause rather than genuine spiritual transformation [9]. This outward focus can blind individuals to spiritual realities and the true source of lasting joy.
Loss of True Freedom: While the pursuit of fleshly desires often promises freedom and satisfaction, it ultimately leads to enslavement. The "lust of the flesh" and other worldly desires, when indulged, can become tyrannical masters, dictating one's choices and actions [8]. The Christian call to "mortify" these desires is not about deprivation but about achieving true spiritual freedom from their control [5]. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note, ceasing to abide "in Him that is true" means becoming part of "the world that lieth in the wicked one," suggesting a loss of spiritual protection and guidance [11].
The consequences of idolizing fleshly desires are thus profound, leading to spiritual death, moral corruption, selfishness, worldliness, and a loss of true freedom. The Christian tradition consistently calls believers to recognize these desires as potential idols and to actively "put them to death" in favor of devotion to God [1, 5].
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 3:5 (BSB) — Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Idolatry — Forbidden -- Ex 20:2,3; De 5:7. Consists in Bowing down to images. -- Ex 20:5; De 5:9. Worshipping images. -- Isa 44:17; Da 3:5,10,15. Sacrificing to images. -- Ps 106:38; Ac 7:41. Worshipping other gods. -- De 30:17; Ps 81:9. Swearing by other gods. -- Ex 23:13; Jos 23:7. Walking after other gods. -- De 8:19. Speaking in the name of other gods. -- De 18:20. Looking to other gods. -- Ho 3:1. Serving other gods. -- De 7:4; Jer 5:19. Fearing other gods. -- 2Ki 17:35. Sacrificing to other gods. -- Ex 22:20. Worshipping the true God by an image, & c. -- Ex 32:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Amusements and Pleasures, Worldly — Belong to the works of the flesh -- Ga 5:19,21. Are transitory -- Job 21:12,13; Heb 11:25. Are all vanity -- Ec 2:11. Choke the word of God in the heart -- Lu 8:14. Formed a part of idolatrous worship -- Ex 32:4,6,19; 1Co 10:7; Jdj 16:23-25. Lead to Rejection of God. -- Job 21:14,15. Poverty. -- Pr 21:17. Disregard of the judgments and works of God. -- Isa 5:12; Am 6:1-6. Terminate in sorrow -- Pr 14:13. Are likely to lead to greater evil -- Job 1:5; Mt 14:6-8. The wicked seek for happiness in -- Ec 2:1,8. Indulgence in A proof of ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Selfishness — Contrary to the law of God -- Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Jas 2:8. The example of Christ condemns -- Joh 4:34; Ro 15:3; 2Co 8:9. God hates -- Mal 1:10. Exhibited in Being lovers of ourselves. -- 2Ti 3:2. Pleasing ourselves. -- Ro 15:1. Seeking our own. -- 1Co 10:33; Php 2:21. Seeking after gain. -- Isa 56:11. Seeking undue precedence. -- Mt 20:21. Living to ourselves. -- 2Co 5:15. Neglect of the poor. -- 1Jo 3:17. Serving God for reward. -- Mal 1:10. Performing duty for reward. -- Mic 3:11. Inconsistent with Christian love -- 1Co 13:5. Inconsistent with communi”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 3:5: The apostle exhorts the Colossians to the mortification of sin, the great hindrance to seeking the things which are above. Since it is our duty to set our affections upon heavenly things, it is our duty to mortify our members which are upon the earth, and which naturally incline us to the things of the world: "Mortify them, that is, subdue the vicious habits of mind which prevailed in your Gentile state. Kill them, suppress them, as you do weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them, or as you kill an enemy who fights against you and wounds you." - ”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 8:13: Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend,.... This is the conclusion of the whole, which the apostle makes with respect to himself, and proposes for the imitation of others; that since an imprudent use of Christian liberty, in this article of eating things offered to idols, might be attended with such bad consequences, as to lay a stumblingblock in the way of weak Christians, and be a means of emboldening them to do things contrary to their consciences, and so break the peace of their minds, wound their spirits, grieve and afflict their souls, and not only s”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 5:19: Idolatry,.... Which some understand of covetousness, which is so called; but rather it means the worshipping of other gods, or of graven images: witchcraft; any real or pretended league and association with the devil, seeking to converse with familiar spirits, to gain unlawful knowledge, or to do hurt to fellow creatures; which, as it is doing honour to Satan, detracts from the glory of God, and rightly follows idolatry; conjuration, soothsaying, necromancy, and all kind of magic are included and condemned hereby: hatred: internal hatred of any man's person, ev”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 2:16: For all that is in the world - All that it can boast of, all that it can promise, is only sensual, transient gratification, and even this promise it cannot fulfill; so that its warmest votaries can complain loudest of their disappointment. The lust of the flesh - Sensual and impure desires which seek their gratification in women, strong drink, delicious viands, and the like. Lust of the eyes - Inordinate desires after finery of every kind, gaudy dress, splendid houses, superb furniture, expensive equipage, trappings, and decorations of all sorts. Pride of life - Hun”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 6:11: As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh,.... By whom are meant the false apostles, who are here described, and their views, aims, and ends, opened and exposed. These were very desirous to carry a good face of things outwardly, of appearing outwardly righteous before men, and to be accounted so by them; and therefore did all they to be seen of them, and gain applause from them. They were such, as the Syriac version renders the words, as desired "to glory in the flesh"; their carnal descent and privileges, in their being Hebrews, the seed of Abraham, of th”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: made a corpse? Because as the body then becomes a corpse when the soul leaves it destitute of its own vital energy, so also does the soul then be 135 come a corpse, when the Holy Spirit leaves it destitute of His spiritual energy. Such for the most part are the slaughters made at the altar of covetousness. They are not satisfied, they do not stop at men’s blood; no, the altar of covetousness is not glutted, unless it sacrifice the very soul itself also, unless it receive the souls of both, the sacrificer and the sacrificed. For h”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 5:21: Affectionate parting caution. from idols--Christians were then everywhere surrounded by idolaters, with whom it was impossible to avoid intercourse. Hence the need of being on their guard against any even indirect compromise or act of communion with idolatry. Some at Pergamos, in the region whence John wrote, fell into the snare of eating things sacrificed to idols. The moment we cease to abide "in Him that is true (by abiding) in Jesus Christ," we become part of "the world that lieth in the wicked one," given up to spiritual, if not in all places li”