The flesh uses our five senses as gateways to feed its desires:
• Sight: Like Eve with the fruit that was “pleasing to the eye” (Genesis 3:6), our eyes are often drawn to things that seem beautiful but are spiritually destructive.
• Touch: The pursuit of forbidden pleasures or immediate sensations strengthens carnal desires.
• Taste: Esau’s case, willing to sacrifice his birthright for a simple bowl of lentils (Genesis 25:29–34), illustrates how the flesh favors fleeting pleasure over eternity.
• Smell and Hearing: Sounds, scents, and seductive words activate the desires of the flesh, often without us realizing it.

These senses, designed to glorify God, become instruments of the flesh when misused. Regaining control of these channels helps to limit the flesh’s influence.

Esau: A Dramatic Illustration of the Flesh

Esau’s story reveals the insatiable nature of the flesh. In exchange for a mere bowl of lentils, he sold his birthright, despising a spiritual blessing for immediate gratification. The flesh can lead us to act foolishly. Can you imagine selling your birthright—or any other advantage you possess—just for food? The author of Hebrews warns:

“See that no one is sexually immoral or godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.“ (Hebrews 12:16)

The flesh acts in the same way: it trades God’s eternal promises for fleeting pleasures. It is impatient, insatiable, and scornful of spiritual things…

This text is an excerpt from the book “YOU SHALL NOT LET THE WITCH LIVE” written by Rachel MAHOUTI.

We invite you to read the next article: “Tearing Down High Places: Everything That Exalts Itself Against God.”