Is Sin in the Flesh Removed by the Baptism of the Spirit?

Is Sin in the Flesh Removed by the Baptism of the Spirit?

The Romans’ faith was “spoken of throughout the whole world.” Rom. 1:8. Yet Paul still found it necessary to write, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body.” Rom. 6:12. If sin had been removed from the mortal body, the apostle’s exhortation not to let it reign would have been superfluous. When people are taught that sin is no longer present in their body, their need to be vigilant obviously disappears. This is the reason so many have backslidden. Jesus says, “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

When we are vigilant to make sure that sin in the flesh does not reign, we are in truth crucified with Him. We have power through the Holy Spirit, so no one needs to be in bondage to sin. Sin in the flesh (which is also called the body of sin, Rom. 6:6) will in this way be destroyed. When sin in the flesh does not receive any nourishment, it dies. At the same time, the life that we have in God grows stronger and takes the place that sin in the flesh once occupied. During this process of sanctification, it can truly be said that “we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

There is no condemnation for having sin in the flesh, since we have inherited it, but there is condemnation for committing sin, that is, allowing sin in the flesh to reign.

“Sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Gen. 4:7.

“But if we walk in the light [note that it is only the saints who walk in the light] as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

If then we are walking in the light, what kind of sin is the Apostle referring to when he talks about being cleansed? It cannot be sinful deeds, which are called works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19), because fornicators and murderers certainly don’t walk in the light. If a person meditates in the law of the Lord, as it is written in Psalm 1, he will discover that it is this indwelling sin or body of sin that John is referring to. It is this body of sin that is being consumed by the cleansing power of the blood, when we walk in the light. Satan loses all his power since he is only the prince of those who walk in darkness.

John goes on to write, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8.

Isn’t this precisely what everyone is doing when they say that sin is removed by the baptism of the Spirit? They deceive themselves. For many years I have fought countless battles against people who defend this doctrine—sometimes to the point where I have felt sick and utterly exhausted in both body and soul. But then I have witnessed that many of these people have fallen in adultery, drunkenness, all kinds of deceit and divorce. Some have even ended up in psychiatric institutions and have become a burden to society.

When the Scriptures say “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed,” obviously there is something in our flesh called lust or desire. We can of our own free will either satisfy or resist this desire. People say and teach that sin is removed from the flesh; yet at the same time they fall in adultery. Doesn’t this prove that the desire is still there? It is blatantly obvious that a person must have first looked at a woman to lust for her before falling in adultery. Is this difficult to understand??? Alas, what a tragedy that the leaders of God’s people are so slow to comprehend.

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh . . . so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Here we see the same thing. What does it mean to fight the good fight of faith? It means that we present ourselves with an attentive ear and a willing heart to the Spirit so that we can take up the fight of faith against our own flesh. Some people say “This is slavery!!” and those who have given in to sin agree with them. Personally, I praise God for this slavery—if that’s what you want to call it—because it has kept me through many temptations—until this very day. I know a much more appealing name for this unceasing battle between flesh and Spirit, and that is, “The Good Fight of Faith.” Since this is biblical, I encourage everyone to call it by the same name. 1 Tim. 6:12.

The church in Corinth had been so enriched by God in all utterance and all knowledge that they were not lacking in any gift. 1 Cor. 1. Nevertheless, they continued to hold grudges against one another. Things had gone so far that they were bringing lawsuits against one another in worldly courts and appealing to unbelievers to get their rights. 1 Cor. 6:7. They did not joyfully accept the plundering of their goods. Why not??? Of course, it was sin in the flesh—covetousness!!! Is this too difficult to understand??? What do they teach these days in the Bible colleges about such things??? Is this incomprehensible or mystical??? Personally I believe that these things belong to the elementary doctrines. Even people in the world understand quite clearly that men and women who openly live according to their carnal lusts have nothing to do with Christ.

If a person wants to take on the difficult task of leading a Christian group and being a servant, he ought to first be tested personally. 1 Tim. 3:10. He should also, through personal discipleship, be capable of keeping Jesus’ last Words: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Matt. 28:19-20.

We can truly say about those who are careful to keep Jesus’ commandments and then teach others to do the same: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.