Filthiness of Flesh and Spirit

The works of the flesh, as described above, reveal both filthiness of flesh and spirit. If a man must bring forth fruit unto holiness, both aspects of corruption must be tackled: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor.7:1). What does filthiness of flesh and spirit mean? Paul gives us a clue in 1 Corinthians 7:34: “…The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit…” The implication is that when we are cleansed from “filthiness of the flesh and spirit,” we become “holy both in body and spirit.”

The expression “filthiness of flesh and spirit” simply makes a distinction between fleshly and attitudinal sins. Examples of filthiness of the flesh (or fleshly sins) are adultery, fornication, lewdness and drunkenness, while examples of attitudinal sins are hatred, jealousy, wrath and discord. When these are dealt with, we become holy, both in body and spirit.

Attaining True Holiness
We need to remember that the seed of holiness has been planted in every believer: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 Jn.3:9). The implication of this Scripture is that, because the seed of God, the holy seed, is in him, he does not make a practice of sin. In principle, he is holy; but in practical terms, the journey to true holiness has just begun.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul gives us a hint of what it entails: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Irrespective of how we choose to express it (holiness in thoughts, words and deeds or holiness in body and spirit) true holiness is attained when the believer identifies his obligations to his spirit, soul and body, and fulfils them. The Lord desires that our spirits, souls and bodies be separated unto Him and preserved blameless; and Paul has prayed to God on our behalf that it might be so. It is now our responsibility to discover how this may be accomplished.