The New Testament frequently speaks about the “flesh,” a concept that often causes confusion among believers. Is it a part of who we are as Christians, or is it something entirely separate from our new identity in Christ? Understanding the biblical meaning of “flesh” is crucial for living victoriously as followers of Jesus.

The concept of “flesh” in the New Testament refers to the old habits, attitudes, and ways of living that were part of our lives before we became believers in Christ. It is a network of worldly thoughts and behaviors that can still influence us, but it is not our true identity as believers. The flesh is not our spiritual nature or our old self coming back to life. Our old self was crucified with Christ, and we are now new creations with a new heart and spirit (Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26).

The flesh is a way of thinking and acting that is opposed to the work of God’s Spirit in our lives. It can manifest in various ways, such as immorality, jealousy, or anger (Galatians 5:19-21). However, it can also appear as a self-improvement mindset that relies on human effort rather than dependence on Christ (Galatians 3:3; Philippians 3:4-6). The flesh is not our body, which is holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19).

What we consider as good, is often flesh

When Paul lists his flesh in Phil 3:5, he lists

⁴ although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

Php 3:4–6.

In Philippians 3:4-6, Paul provides a different kind of “fleshly” list—not the typical sinful behaviors like immorality or anger, but rather the credentials, achievements, and privileges he once took pride in before encountering Christ. These include:

• Circumcised on the eighth day: A sign of his strict adherence to Jewish law from birth.
• Of the people of Israel: Claiming his pure Israelite lineage.
• Of the tribe of Benjamin: A prestigious tribe in Israel’s history.
• A Hebrew of Hebrews: Emphasizing his cultural and ethnic purity as a Jew.
• In regard to the law, a Pharisee: Highlighting his rigorous commitment to the Mosaic law.
• As for zeal, persecuting the church: Demonstrating his fervor for Judaism, even to the point of persecuting Christians.
• As for righteousness based on the law, faultless: Claiming that, by the standards of the law, he lived a blameless life.

Here, Paul defines “flesh” not as sinful behaviors, but as human achievements, cultural status, and religious pride—things he formerly considered valuable. However, he goes on to say that he now considers all of this as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-8).

This passage teaches that “flesh” can refer to anything people rely on—be it moral, cultural, or religious achievements—that takes the place of true faith in Christ.

As believers, we are called to walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh. This means setting our minds on the things of the Spirit and allowing God’s Spirit to guide us in our daily lives (Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:4-6). Through the renewing of our minds, we can choose to resist the temptations of the flesh and live in accordance with our new identity in Christ (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23-24).