What Does It Mean To Have Confidence In The Flesh?

Php 3:1  Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 

Php 3:2  Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 

Today in Christianity, there is a ‘uptick’ in the mixing politics and religious leader’s worldly affections, and ‘passing it off’ as ‘worship,’ with the edifying of God’s Word. And what we see today, even in Christianity, Pastors are celebrating ‘political heroes,’ and quoting the words and “wisdom” of the men of this world and teaching it unto others. And this is what Paul teaches in Philippians chapter 3 about having “confidence in the flesh” as trusting in one’s own flesh versus worshiping God in the spirit. We are called to forsake worldly and fleshly values, including “carnal” religious lusts and political entanglements, and instead embrace a life “led by the Spirit” and be “rooted and grounded” in the Word of God. The Apostle Paul warns against placing confidence or trust in the flesh, which refers to human efforts, religious accomplishments, or worldly values, rather than in God and the Spirit. Paul himself once had confidence in his flesh, boasting in his religious credentials and heritage, but he came to regard these as loss compared to knowing Christ. Trusting in the flesh is linked to vain worship that caters to fleshly desires and human wisdom, which can mislead believers into building their faith on worldly foundations such as personal values, political ideologies, or cultural loyalties rather than on God’s word alone.

Php 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 

Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 

Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 

Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ

Moreover, true worship, according to Paul, is worshiping God in the spirit, not in the flesh. This means believers should not rely on outward religious acts or fleshly confidence but should cultivate an “inward man” Spiritual relationship with God founded upon the “bowels and mercies” (deep affections and compassions, the ‘table of contents’ of their heart’s desires) of a person form the foundation of faith, which should be transformed by the living word of God written on the hearts of believers. This inward transformation leads to a life that reflects Christ’s mind and selfless love, not fleshly ambitions or worldly concerns. Paul cautions against blending Christian faith with political agendas, but some Pastors have shifted their ministries toward political commentary, which can distract from edifying the church and focusing on their Spiritual growth for their edifying “good.” And even though political engagement is a decision that a “son and daughter” in Christ ought to make based upon the doctrine which is according to godliness, we are taught to prioritize the teachings of Christ and the unity of the church over political leaders, and political party wisdom, and commentary. The heart’s true allegiance should be to the kingdom of God, and the “Table of the Lord,” rather than earthly political parties or their worldly wisdom opinions and the “table of devils.”

1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

Finally, there is an intrinsic conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, making it impossible to fully satisfy both desires simultaneously. Believers are called to “walk in the Spirit” to avoid fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. Their inward man ought to “lust” after the Spirit (The Living Word of the Living God), not lust after the “affections and lusts” of his flesh. The Word of God is making a appeal to your inner man, and so is your flesh, this is how they “lusteth against” one another. And to have confidence in the flesh, and to trust in the flesh means that the Saint would follow his carnal mind, and what he ‘thinks’ the will of God is today, rather than what God’s Word says alone, he would rather follow his fleshly heart by what he ‘feels’ rather than what the Word of God says. But it is by the ‘Spiritual walk’ of ‘putting on’ the life of Christ and being led by the Spirit, which it is the Word of God guiding them instead by the law of Christ—selfless love by the Spiritual mind. And as Paul exhorts believers to forget the things behind—including former loves, religious pride, and worldly attachments—and to reach forward to what lies ahead in the life of Christ. This “transforming” requires a renewed mind and a foundation built on the selfless love and doctrine of Christ rather than on fleshly confidence or societal identities such as political or worldly affiliations. We must remember that true Christian identity is rooted and grounded in lowliness and selfless love, reflecting the mind of Christ rather than worldly divisions. This life of Christ ought to be our “bowels and mercies,” and our foundation in the Spiritual life of Christ. Confidence in the flesh involves trusting in human achievements, religious status, or worldly values, which Paul rejects in favor of ‘inward man confidence’ in Christ alone. And we ought to ‘examine ourselves’ and where our “confidence” lies and to realign our faith with the Spirit and the word of God, fostering spiritual growth and selfless love within the body of Christ.

Rod Jones