The Law of Sin
In your life, there are two laws at work. The law of God (Spirit), and the law of sin (flesh).
They are opposite, and in fact, the flesh is hostile towards God.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
- Romans 8:7 (KJV)
When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, sin entered their flesh. God then also removed the tree of life. Now our thinking has become corrupt, and our bodies are mortal. Sin leads to death.
In Jesus our spirit is renewed (born again), and we will receive a new sinless body after death.
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
- 1 Corinthians 15:50 (KJV)
In the meantime we are not to gratify the desires of the flesh.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
- Galatians 5:16-18 (KJV)
And what are the desires of the flesh?
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
- 1 John 2:16 (KJV)
On a side note; the flesh can't be gratified. There is always something else the flesh 'needs'.
Whoever you obey (God or sin) will become your master.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
- Romans 6:16 (KJV)
So, as Christians, we serve the law of God.
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
- Romans 7:25 (KJV)
We walk in the Spirit, and crucify the flesh.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
- Galatians 5:24 (KJV)
Managing the two opposite laws can be quite a handful sometimes.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
- Romans 7:24 (KJV)
The flesh has no law. It breaks God's Laws time and time again.
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
- The law of Thelema, Aleister Crowley
Consider the Fall.
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
- Genesis 3:5 (KJV)
Satan lied to us. Look at what this whole world has come to. All these people running around thinking they are like God. Yes, we know good and evil, but where's our righteousness?
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
- Isaiah 64:6 (KJV)
We are to walk in the Spirit, and deny the flesh.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)
Denying the flesh is a day-to-day struggle, but comes with a huge promise.
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
- Romans 6:22 (KJV)