Let's look at the third factor that cause negative thinking--our flesh or humanly nature.
Literally, flesh is our physical nature, the muscular and fatty tissue parts of the body, which are separate from our spirit or soul. Figuratively, flesh is our human nature. It is equated to our fallen, sinful, and dysfunctional nature (Gal. 5:17; Jude 23)—humanity’s natural orientation away from God. The moment we are born, the struggle with our flesh begins, because we are born slaves to sin (John 8:34). We are less able to choose right.
The flesh is our desires. Desires are good in themselves, such as desires for food, sleep, and sex; desires to achieve and succeed. There are proper ways to satisfy each of these desires, and there are also divinely imposed limits. It is when we are tempted that we usually cross those limits. This is where our opponent, Satan, strikes. He takes advantage of our bent toward doing precisely what God would not want us to do. James said, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed (James 1:14-15).
Until you understand your fleshly nature, conquering toxic thoughts will be hindered. When our flesh dominates the mind, our thinking is compromised. Scripture states, “Those who live according to the sinful nature [the flesh] have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Rom. 8:5).
This is an excerpt from the book: Breaking the Cover Girl Mask: Toss Out Toxic Thoughts
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