First, the goal the flesh aims at is death (James 1:15). Whatever sin pretends, it will end in death. The flesh wants us to believe that the consequences for dallying with sin will only be slight (not as much blessing from God, a cheaper seat in heaven). Knowing this is our first means of arming ourselves against deceit (as knowing that the used-car salesman will do anything to sell you a car helps to protect you from driving home the lemon while he laughs behind your back.)
Second, the way the flesh works for your death is by temptation (James 1:14). The essence of temptation is deceit – to be tempted and to be deceived are the same thing. And James lists what we can call the five degrees of temptation:
- Dragging away (the mind)
- Enticing (the affections)
- Conceiving Sin (in the will)
- The birth of sin (in actions, words, thoughts and so on)
- Death by sin (Enslavement to sin is spiritual death.)
- Kris Lundgaard, The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin, copyright 1998, page 57-58
