Not Every Struggle is a Demon: Understanding the Works of the Flesh vs. the Enemy (June 22-28 Blog Post)

Scripture Reading:Galatians 5:16-21 (NIV)"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Introduction: Is It Always the Devil?

Have you ever found yourself facing a struggle in life and thinking, "This has to be the devil." We’ve all been there—feeling as though every battle we face is a spiritual attack. It’s easy to slip into the mindset that the enemy is behind every difficulty, every temptation, and every challenge we encounter. However, as we dive deeper into Scripture, it becomes evident that not every struggle is demonic in nature.

In fact, many of the challenges we face stem from the works of the flesh—our own sinful nature, desires, and tendencies that conflict with the Spirit. This doesn’t mean that the enemy isn’t active in our lives, but it does mean that we need to learn how to discern between our internal struggles (the flesh) and the external attacks from the enemy.

This blog post will explore the difference between the two and how understanding this distinction can help us navigate our spiritual journeys with greater clarity.

1. The Flesh: Our Internal Struggles

The term flesh in Scripture often refers to our sinful nature. It’s the part of us that desires things that go against God’s will—things like selfishness, jealousy, anger, and lust. These desires aren't necessarily demonic in origin; they are the natural inclinations of human nature. Everyone experiences them at some point or another.

When we face temptation or struggle with sin, it’s important to examine where it’s coming from. Are we battling with our own desires and emotions? If so, this is the work of the flesh. Our flesh is constantly in conflict with the Spirit, which is why Paul urges us to “walk by the Spirit” in Galatians 5:16. By doing so, we are empowered to resist the desires of our flesh and instead focus on the fruit of the Spirit.

The issue is often not the enemy, but us. We block ourselves from learning God's lessons and experiencing His grace. When we fail to surrender our flesh to God, we open the door for the enemy to take advantage of our weaknesses. He doesn’t need to directly attack us; instead, he takes advantage of our uncontrolled desires and uses them to lead us away from God.

Reflection:

• Are there areas in my life where I’m giving in to emotions like jealousy, anger, or selfishness?

• Do I allow my desires to control me, or am I actively surrendering them to God?

• How has the enemy used my fleshly weaknesses to pull me away from focusing on Jesus?

2. The Enemy: Spiritual Warfare and Discernment

While our flesh is a major factor in our struggles, the Bible is clear that we have a real enemy—Satan—who seeks to destroy us. In 1 Peter 5:8, we are warned to be alert because our enemy is like a “roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The enemy actively seeks to lead us away from God, and often he will use our fleshly desires to do so.

It’s important to recognize that while our flesh is a constant battle, the enemy is also at work. He is crafty and deceptive, using external temptations to lure us away from God's truth. These attacks may not always look like overtly “demonic” experiences, but they can manifest in the form of negative thoughts, discouragement, lies, and overwhelming temptation.

To combat these attacks, we need discernment. Not every struggle we face is a direct attack from the enemy. Some battles come from our own sinful nature. However, when we recognize that we are in a spiritual battle, we must arm ourselves with the Word of God and prayer, so we can stand firm against the schemes of the enemy.

Reflection:

• Can I identify areas where I’ve been led astray by the enemy’s lies or temptations?

• How can I develop greater discernment in recognizing the enemy’s attacks versus my own struggles?

3. Recognizing the Difference: Flesh vs. Enemy

The key to overcoming struggles in our spiritual lives is recognizing the difference between the works of the flesh and the attacks of the enemy. The works of the flesh are internal—things that are naturally part of our human nature. They include things like pride, lust, and selfishness. These internal desires must be dealt with by surrendering them to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us.

On the other hand, the works of the enemy are external temptations designed to deceive, oppress, and lead us astray. The enemy will often use our fleshly weaknesses to draw us away from God. Understanding the difference between these two forces is crucial for navigating our faith journey.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul describes his “thorn in the flesh,” which he attributes to a messenger of Satan. This “thorn” was a struggle Paul faced that God allowed to keep him humble. Sometimes, what we perceive as a spiritual attack is actually a challenge God has allowed to strengthen our character and dependence on Him.

Reflection:

• How do I differentiate between the works of the flesh and spiritual warfare in my life?

• Do I tend to over-spiritualize my struggles, or do I recognize them as opportunities for growth in my faith?

4. Overcoming by the Spirit

Whether we’re battling the flesh or facing external attacks from the enemy, the solution is the same: we must walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 reminds us, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” The key to overcoming both the flesh and the enemy is surrender—surrendering our desires to God and walking in obedience to His will.

When we walk by the Spirit, we are empowered to resist the works of the flesh and stand firm against the enemy’s attacks. This requires consistent prayer, spending time in the Word, and relying on the Holy Spirit’s strength to guide us. We can’t do it on our own. But when we live in step with the Spirit, we are equipped to overcome any challenge that comes our way.

Action Steps:

1. Pray for Discernment: Ask God to help you recognize when you’re struggling with the flesh and when the enemy is attacking.

2. Stay Rooted in the Word: The Bible is a powerful tool to help you combat both the works of the flesh and the schemes of the enemy.

3. Walk by the Spirit: Commit to daily surrender, choosing obedience to the Holy Spirit over your fleshly desires.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, I recognize that not every struggle is a spiritual attack. Help me to discern between the works of the flesh and the enemy’s schemes. I surrender my desires and weaknesses to You and ask for the strength to walk by the Spirit. Thank You for Your grace, Your guidance, and Your power to overcome. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture References:

• Galatians 5:16-21

• Ephesians 6:12

• Romans 7:18-25

• 1 Peter 5:8

• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Declaration:

"I declare that I will no longer be led astray by the works of the flesh or the schemes of the enemy. I choose to walk by the Spirit daily, surrendering my desires and emotions to God. I recognize that my struggles are not always demonic, but internal battles that I must surrender to God for transformation. I will discern when the enemy is at work and when I am being led astray by my own flesh. Through God's grace and strength, I will overcome and walk in victory."

Ways to Recognize the Works of the Flesh vs. the Enemy

1. The Flesh: Internal Struggles

   • Signs of the Flesh: Selfishness, jealousy, anger, unforgiveness, pride, addiction, lust, and bitterness.

   • How to Recognize: These are feelings and behaviors that arise from within. You may notice a pattern of choosing sinful reactions, struggling with temptation, or finding yourself in repeated cycles of behavior. These struggles need daily surrender and transformation through the Spirit.

2. The Enemy: External Temptations

   • Signs of the Enemy: Doubt, confusion, temptation to sin, lies, discouragement, oppression, and feelings of being overwhelmed by negative thoughts.

   • How to Recognize: The enemy often attacks when you're trying to grow or step into God's will. He will target your weaknesses and use fear, discouragement, and lies to distract you from God's truth. Prayer and the Word are crucial tools to resist these attacks.

   
   

   Thought to Think about this week

   • What areas of my life have I been attributing to the enemy, when in reality, they might be internal struggles with my own flesh?

   • How often do I allow my emotions and desires to take control, rather than walking by the Spirit? What changes can I make this week to surrender these to God?

   • When was the last time I recognized a struggle as a spiritual attack from the enemy? How did I respond, and what could I have done differently?

   • Do I tend to over-spiritualize challenges and struggles? How can I discern when it's the flesh at work and when it's the enemy trying to lead me astray?

   • What are some practical ways I can strengthen my discernment this week in recognizing when my struggles are flesh-driven versus enemy-driven?

   • How can I walk more intentionally by the Spirit this week and overcome temptations or weaknesses in my own flesh?