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Every Body's Battle
The human body is one of the beautiful metaphors used in the Scriptures to help us understand the local church. How fitting that the Creator, who “formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Gen. 2:7), also gives life to the church through her head, Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:22-23). He whose creative powers “didst form my inward parts” (Psa. 139:13) also enables the church to function through “the proper working of each individual part” (Eph. 4:16). This figure is meant to impress upon each member just how important their role is in the local body.
The battle of the flesh versus the Spirit in Galatians 5 is an individual one. Each person must decide to put to death the things that are contrary to the will of God and walk according to the way made known through revelation. But since the local church is made up of individuals, when this is not done on a personal level, it has an effect on the whole congregation. Or, as Paul wrote in the very same chapter, “a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough” (Gal. 5:9).
What happens to the church, the body of Christ, when the works of the flesh are not treated properly?
The body loses its healthy appearance. When a person is sick, it is usually obvious. Their color changes. They don’t have as much energy or stamina. They just don’t look well. We need not overlook the fact that the first thing Paul wrote about the deeds of the flesh is that they are “evident” (Gal. 5:19). This is a word that is also translated “obvious” and “very clear.” When a church is eaten up with “jealousy” (Gal. 5:20) and “envying” (Gal. 5:21), it is evident even to the outsider. How tragic that a non-Christian might wonder, “How can these people love God when they don’t even love one another?” If such is the case, the church has lost its standing as the “pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). The only thing it advertises is a broken body.
The body is more susceptible to external diseases. We understand this concept as it relates to the physical body. How often do people speak of “catching” something because they were run down or weren’t exercising or eating properly? In their weakened state, they were not able to fight off sickness. When members of the local church are consumed with things like “enmities,” “strife” and “disputes” (Gal. 5:20) then they will lose their focus on the real enemy. They will be so busy fighting one another that they will cease to fight the good fight of faith. False doctrine will be introduced. Worldliness will creep in. Compromise will set in. Swords that are turned inward cannot defend the attack from without.
The body ceases to function as a whole. The organs of the physical body are designed to work together. When one part is not doing its part, the whole body suffers. That’s why we often hear the report from the hospital that someone’s “organs are shutting down.” They are connected to one another. In the same way, when there are “dissensions” and “factions” (Gal. 5:20) in the local church, the body cannot function with a single purpose. The reason that Paul wrote to the church at Corinth that “there be no divisions among you” (1 Cor. 1:10) is because a divided body will eventually shut down. The local church is meant to function as one unit, “being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). Where the connection to one another is severed, the mission of the body is also lost. How can you fulfill your “one another” responsibilities when you can’t even be “one”?
The body is completely eaten up. Why do people undergo such radical surgeries and procedures to remove cancer and other diseases? To stop the growth before it infects other parts of the body. Likewise, evil does not stand still; it leads “to further ungodliness” (2 Tim. 2:16). When the works of the flesh are not kept in check, what started out with one or two members can “spread like gangrene” (2 Tim. 2:17) through the whole congregation. The end result is the destruction of the body. “If you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed by one another” (Gal. 5:15). What is not cut out can cause the whole church to be cut off.
The remedy for the works of the flesh is the fruit of the Spirit. Each person must win this battle for their own good and for the benefit of the local church. “It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones” (Prov. 3:8).
