Operating according to the flesh produces reasoning like the following:
"If only I can become more self-aware, I can overcome my depression."
"If I could exercise enough discipline not to allow any negative thoughts to come to my mind, I wouldn't feel so discouraged." "If I could just lose 50 pounds, I would be acceptable to my husband."
There may be nothing wrong with being more self-aware, being more disciplined, losing weight, etc. But, they do not provide life. Only God provides life, as we depend not upon our own resources, (flesh) but upon Him who lives within us by His Spirit.
Scripture provides a wonderful Old Testament example of living according to the flesh versus living according to the Spirit. Moses was a man who had all the fleshly resources a man could ask for. Raised in the court of Pharaoh, nursed by his own Jewish mother, having the best education Egypt could offer etc.
By age 40, he realized God's call upon his life to deliver the Jews from their Egyptian oppressors. So he set about in his own ability, in his flesh, to fulfill his calling. Beginning by murdering an Egyptian, it was a short-lived attempt. Moses fled to the desert in Median, an utter failure.
There Moses lived for 40 years, not getting strong enough to be God's man to lead the people, but rather getting weak enough. When Moses had finally learned not to trust in himself, ( Flesh) to accomplish anything for God, God was ready to use him. Moses had nothing to offer except his weakness and his complete dependence upon God. That was exactly what God wanted. A surrendered man empowered only by His Holy Spirit!
(Credit given and adapted from Exchanged Life Ministries Articles by Greg Smith)
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