Defeating Sin: Making No Provision for the Desires of the Flesh

The apostle Paul's exhortation in the book of Romans provides Christians with a profound and straightforward instruction for our battle against sin. He urges us not to make any provision for the desires of the flesh. This simple statement sheds light on the ways in which we can actively engage in fighting against sin.

Understanding the Desires of the Flesh

To grasp the significance of making no provision for the flesh, we must first recognize that the flesh harbors ungodly desires. In Galatians 5:17, Paul emphasizes that the desires of the flesh are in direct opposition to the Holy Spirit. These desires lead us to gratify our sinful inclinations and engage in what Paul refers to as "the works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19–21).

Paul also highlights these works of the flesh in Romans 13, referring to them as "works of darkness." He provides examples such as sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies (Romans 13:12–13). These sins encompass various aspects of our lives, including our sexuality, our desires for material possessions, and our social interactions.

Making Provision for the Flesh

When Paul urges us not to make provision for the flesh, he implies that we have the ability to put ourselves in situations that will tempt us to sin. We consciously create space and opportunities for our sinful desires to awaken and be fulfilled. Essentially, we are asking to be led into temptation so that we can give in to evil.

This provision-making process is often subtle. We may plan to be in an environment where we know temptation will arise, hoping that these temptations will awaken our desires, which we can then gratify. Our minds are complicit in this process, as we rationalize and justify our behavior, even to ourselves. Our thoughts align with our fleshly desires, and then we use our thoughts to excuse and defend our actions. This is what it means to make provision for the flesh.

One area where technology can enable us to make provision for the flesh is through the use of apps and websites that expose us to sexually explicit content. We may not actively seek out such images, but by engaging with these platforms, we create space for them to appear. We make provision for our desires to be awakened, often justifying our actions as simply checking social media.

The same dynamic is at play with other sinful passions and desires. We may visit sites or use apps that consistently trigger jealousy and envy within us. By exposing ourselves to images of the lifestyles we desire, we make room for covetousness. Similarly, we may subject ourselves to news or media that stoke our anger and lead to quarreling. We make provision for these sins by willingly putting ourselves in positions where these emotions will be awakened. We then justify our actions as staying informed or engaging with important issues.

In each case, we are consciously creating space and providing opportunities for our fleshly desires to lead us into sin.

Waking Up and Taking a Walk

Fortunately, Paul doesn't simply warn us against making provision for the flesh; he also provides guidance on how to combat these temptations.

First and foremost, we must wake up. Paul reminds us that the time has come for us to be alert and aware. Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed, and the night is far gone; the day is at hand (Romans 13:11–12). We must become conscious of the way our minds and flesh work together to lead us into sin. Making provision for the flesh numbs and deadens us spiritually, causing us to fall asleep. We mindlessly follow our desires, making excuses and rationalizations, ignoring the voice of our conscience and the Holy Spirit. Thus, we must wake up and take control of our thoughts and actions.

Secondly, we need to change our clothes. Paul encourages us to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12). He urges us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ himself. This involves actively considering our identity in Christ and aligning our thoughts and actions accordingly. Instead of using our minds to create space for the flesh and then rationalizing our desires, we should use our minds to recognize that we are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ (Romans 6:11). We must intentionally focus on the truth of who we are in Christ and strive to live accordingly.

Changing clothes also entails casting off and putting to death what is earthly within us (Colossians 3:5). It is not enough to simply avoid sin and temptation; we must actively seek to kill our sinful desires. We refuse to allow sinful curiosity to take root in our hearts without making intentional efforts to put it to death. We go on the offensive, actively seeking to overcome sin.

Lastly, we must take a walk. Paul exhorts us to walk properly as in the daytime, avoiding orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling, and jealousy (Romans 13:13). Being awake and clothed in the righteousness of Christ, we walk in a manner that is fitting for our union with Him.

Walking properly involves recognizing that it is now daytime. We have been brought from darkness to light through our salvation in Christ. It is important to realize that, unlike when we make provision for the flesh, we cannot hide from God. While we may be able to hide our actions from others, we can never hide from God. Our excuses and subtleties are futile before His omniscience. He sees us creating space for our sinful desires, and our rationalizations hold no weight in His presence. We are like children sneaking into the kitchen at night to steal a cookie while their mother watches from the living room. Our attempts at stealth are in vain before the brilliance of God's all-seeing gaze. As Hebrews 4:13 states, "No creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

In light of this truth, Paul's call to make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires, becomes even more imperative. We must wake up, change our clothes, and walk in a manner that is pleasing to God. This involves actively resisting the temptation to create space for our sinful desires and instead filling our minds and hearts with the truth of our identity in Christ.

In conclusion, Paul's exhortation in Romans 13:14 serves as a powerful reminder for Christians to actively fight against sin by making no provision for the desires of the flesh. By being alert, changing our mindset, and walking in a manner that pleases God, we can overcome the temptations that seek to lead us astray. Let us heed Paul's words and strive to live in a way that honors our union with Christ, making no room for the flesh but fervently pursuing righteousness and holiness.