The Flesh's Rebellion Against God's Authority in Scripture
The concept of the flesh rebelling against God's authority is rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Romans 8:7, it is written that "the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be" [1]. This verse establishes the fundamental idea that the flesh is inherently opposed to God's will.
The term "flesh" in biblical contexts has multiple meanings, including the physical body, humanity as a whole, and the sinful nature of humanity. In the Old Testament, "flesh" denotes various aspects, such as a particular part of the body, the whole body, or all living things having flesh, particularly humanity (Gen. 2:21; 41:2; Ps. 16:9; 102:5) [2]. In the New Testament, "flesh" is also used to denote the sinful element within humanity.
The rebellion of the flesh against God is characterized by various actions and attitudes, including unbelief, rejection of God's government, and distrust of His power (De 9:23; Ps 106:24,25; 1Sa 8:7; 15:23) [3]. This rebellion is not limited to individual actions but is also reflected in the collective behavior of humanity. For instance, the Israelites' revolt against the house of David is described as a rebellion against God's ordained authority [8].
In the view of some Protestant traditions, the flesh is seen as the corruption of human nature that remains in believers, even after regeneration. John Gill notes that "by 'flesh' is meant... the corruption of nature, which still is in regenerate persons" [4]. This understanding is echoed in the writings of other Protestant academics, who interpret "flesh" as human existence apart from God, dominated by sin and its hostility to God [5].
The consequences of the flesh's rebellion against God are severe. According to Adam Clarke, those who are "under the power of the workings of this carnal mind... cannot please God" and are therefore on the path to perdition [7]. The biblical narrative also illustrates the consequences of rebellion against God's authority, as seen in the downfall of those who resist God's will.
The theme of rebellion against God is also present in the book of Revelation, where it is associated with the Antichrist and the final manifestation of evil. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interpret the beast in Revelation as a symbol of Antichristian world power that returns worse than ever, with satanic powers from hell [9].
The biblical concept of the flesh's rebellion against God's authority serves as a warning against the dangers of unbelief and the consequences of resisting God's will. As seen in various biblical contexts, this rebellion is a fundamental aspect of the human condition, requiring a response of faith and obedience to God's authority. The biblical narrative presents a consistent message that those who resist God's authority will face judgment, as illustrated in the ultimate downfall of the rebellious [6].
Sources
- Romans “because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be. -- Romans 8:7”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Rebellion Against God — Forbidden -- Nu 14:9; Jos 22:19. Provokes God -- Nu 16:30; Ne 9:26. Provokes Christ -- Ex 23:20,21; 1Co 10:9. Vexes the Holy Spirit -- Isa 63:10. Exhibited in Unbelief. -- De 9:23; Ps 106:24,25. Rejecting his government. -- 1Sa 8:7; 15:23. Revolting from him. -- Isa 1:5; 31:6. Despising his law. -- Ne 9:26. Despising his counsels. -- Ps 107:11. Distrusting his power. -- Eze 17:15. Murmuring against him. -- Nu 20:3,10. Refusing to hearken to him. -- De 9:23; Eze 20:8; Zec 7:11. Departing from him. -- Isa 59:13. Rebellion against governors appoi”
- 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”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 7:5: 7:5 old nature (literally flesh): Although “flesh” can refer to the human body in a neutral sense (see 8:3, which speaks of Christ coming “in the flesh”), Paul more often uses the word negatively, to denote human existence apart from God. To be “in the flesh” is to be dominated by sin and its hostility to God. • the law aroused these evil desires: The law of God is a good thing in itself (see 7:12), but it arouses sinful tendencies by provoking the rebellion that is in people’s hearts. When we are in rebellion against God, his commands spark in us a desire to do th”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 17:16: upon the beast--But A, B, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "and the beast." shall make her desolate--having first dismounted her from her seat on the beast (Rev 17:3). naked--stripped of all her gaud (Rev 17:4). As Jerusalem used the world power to crucify her Saviour, and then was destroyed by that very power, Rome; so the Church, having apostatized to the world, shall have judgment executed on her first by the world power, the beast and his allies; and these afterwards shall have judgment executed on them by Christ Himself in person. So Israel lean”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 8:8: So then - Because this carnal mind is enmity against God, they that are in the flesh - who are under the power of the workings of this carnal mind, (which every soul is that has not received redemption in the blood of the Lamb), - Cannot please God - Because of the rebellious workings of this principle of rebellion and hatred. And, if they cannot please God, they must be displeasing to him; and consequently in the broad road to final perdition.”
- 1 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Kings 12:18: So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. In which the writer of this book lived, and so continued until their captivity by the king of Assyria. Their revolt is called a rebellion; for though it was according to the purpose and will of God, yet the people had no command or order from God for it, and was done without consulting him, and was a rejection of their lawful prince. So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. In which the writer of this book lived, and so continued until their captivity by the king of Assyria. Their revo”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 17:8: beast . . . was, and is not--(Compare Rev 17:11). The time when the beast "is not" is the time during which it has "the deadly wound"; the time of the seventh head becoming Christian externally, when its beast-like character was put into suspension temporarily. The healing of its wound answers to its ascending out of the bottomless pit. The beast, or Antichristian world power, returns worse than ever, with satanic powers from hell (Rev 11:7), not merely from the sea of convulsed nations (Rev 13:1). Christian civilization gives the beast only a temp”