Many people think that the greatest enemy of man is the devil. Yes, the devil is an enemy of man because he hates everything loved by God and God loves man. However, the devil is not man’s greatest enemy. The elders say that if the enemy within cannot kill a man, the enemy without would not be able to either. The greatest enemy of man is the enemy within – the flesh. By flesh, I don’t mean the physical flesh, but your worldly desires. You must not lose the battle against the flesh as such a loss would result in the automatic defeat in the battle of life.

The flesh will tell you not to pray even though the Bible says “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The flesh will tell you not to fast even though Jesus said “When ye fast…” (Matthew 6:16) not “If ye fast”. The flesh will tell you not to witness even though Jesus said the branch that does not bear fruit will be cut off (John 15:2). The flesh will tell you not to give even though Luke 6:38 says “Give and it shall be given unto you…” The flesh will tell you to spend your tithe even though Malachi 3:8-10 says if you don’t pay your tithes, you are a robber. The flesh will tell you to commit sin even though the Bible says those that sin are of the devil (1 John 3:8).

The greatest victory of all is the victory over the flesh and to have it, you need to constantly say “No” to its desires. Doing the will of the flesh may seem pleasurable for now, but believe me, it would ultimately bring sorrow. King David decided to indulge the flesh for just one day and the result was killings upon killings in his household (2 Samuel 11, 12). Up until today; the sword has not left Israel. Romans 8:5-6 says:

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

When next the flesh comes to you with its enticements, say: “Joy to the wise; joy to me, I refuse to be a fool!