Spirit Over Flesh: Biblical Priority for Believers
Christian teaching emphasizes that the flesh cannot please God as it constantly wars against the spirit. According to Galatians 5:16-18, believers must walk in the Spirit to avoid fulfilling lusts of the flesh, which are contrary to spiritual things. The flesh desires what's worldly—eating, entertainment, pride, and self-approval—while the spirit calls to righteousness and spiritual discipline.
God's true goodness often involves making people sorrowful rather than happy, as sorrow refines the soul (Hebrews 12:6, Psalm 90:6). When God wants to be good to someone, He's more likely to make them cry than bring temporary happiness, as the flesh hates what benefits the soul.
Believers should have no confidence in the flesh, as "nothing good dwells" in it (Romans 7:18) and all flesh is "grass" that withers. The constant battle between flesh and spirit means choosing spiritual discipline that may feel unpleasant but leads to eternal life rather than temporary fleshly satisfaction that leads to spiritual death.