III. KNOWLEDGE OF
MAN’S ENEMIES.
1. The Flesh.
The flesh is man's corrupt nature. As God created
him man was sincere and faithful in mind, generous, constant, and fervent of
will, and so devout of heart that even his sensual nature was spiritualized by
it. In consequence of original sin, however, man now inclines to im- prudence,
ambition, and infidelity of mind, to inconstancy and sloth of will, and to
selfishness of heart to so alarming a degree that his entire lower nature rebels
against the dictates of his reason and the dominion of his will.
In consequence of this corruption of human nature,
man inclines to make his life on earth a time of carnal indulgence and mental
dissipation, instead of regarding it as a period of probation that should be
employed and sanctified by labor, sacrifice, and daily prayer. In proportion as
he adopts this view he loses sight of the Christian ideal, and becomes a human animal
that is more influenced by the allurements of the world than by the fear and
the love of God. As such he is the slave of human respect, exposes himself
heedlessly to the occasions of sin, and becomes the slave of his sensual
desires. Or, if he is naturally proud, his self-love impels him to gratify his
desires in striving after the honors, riches, and applause of the world. The
labor and suffering that he will then cheerfully endure will be proportionate
to the extent and permanence of his ambition. He may even say with Lucifer of
old, '' I will ascend above the clouds, I will be like the Most High'' (Osee xiv.
13).
From this we see that the flesh is man's greatest
enemy, (1) because it weighs him down to earth; (2) because it is a constant
part of himself from the cradle to the grave; (3) because the world and the
devil use it to lure his soul to perdition.
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