Where Does It Come From?

Where Does It Come From?

James asks, “Where do wars and fights come from among you?” Where does all envy, jealousy, hate, love of money, bitterness, unthankfulness, and every other kind of evil that can be named, come from? It is vital to be thoroughly convinced about where all this has its source, so that we can deal with it and put a stop to it.

Paul says, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells.” Rom. 7:18. He did not beat the air, but he directed the sword against the evil where it had its seat. “Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” Jas. 4:1. The flesh with all its passions and desires is the nerve center for all the evil that can be found. It is in direct contact with hell. “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” Jas. 3:6.

We can see how extremely dangerous it is to say or do anything according to the desires of the flesh. The flesh is the cauldron where all kinds of backbiting and malice are brewing.

When a weather forecast predicts that a low-pressure front is moving in from Greenland or the North Sea and is expected to reach Scandinavia at a certain time, we can expect bad weather or even a storm. Similarly, these “low pressure fronts” are formed in the flesh and darken the heart and mind. A person becomes discouraged and downhearted, or his mind becomes thoroughly darkened and, like bad weather, is loaded with evil wherever he goes.

But God be praised that now we can receive the high-pressure front of faith, hope, and love powerfully into our hearts so that it will be impossible for these evil low-pressure fronts to form.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20. “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Gal. 5:24.

God be praised for such a salvation. The flesh with its passions and desires can be crucified by faith, and thus the gate to this well from hell can be closed forever. Never again must the evil lead our hearts and minds. We must watch and pray so that nothing that belongs in hell is ever let loose again. The flesh is the great element of risk, and those who live according to it are a danger to their surroundings. Their tongues as well as their thoughts are set on fire by hell. In Romans 8:13 we read that those who live according to the flesh will die.

Once we have taken up this position of faith—dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:11)—the gates to the fullness of God are open to us. Then unexpected opportunities open up. Then the tongue is set in motion according to the laws of love, for the benefit and joy of our fellow men. Then we will receive an abundance of wisdom and goodness for ourselves and for the others, for it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Phil. 2:13.