How can believers keep from fulfilling the desires of the flesh?
Believers avoid fulfilling fleshly desires by walking in the Spirit, living according to their position in Christ. Since they were baptized into Christ’s body, that position is now theirs. Walking according to the position God gave them prevents giving in to the demands of Old Adam, whom Scripture identifies as the flesh.
Les explains that Paul’s instruction is doctrinal and tied to our position in Christ. When we became believers, we were baptized into the body of Christ, and that is now our position: we are in Christ. Therefore, walking in the Spirit means walking according to the position God has given us. If we live according to that position, we will not fulfill or live after the desires of the flesh, that is, we will not give in to the demands of Old Adam. Les illustrates “position” with the presidency of a great corporation or the United States: many different people hold the office, but the position itself remains and is recognized. Likewise, our position in Christ is real, and we are to live in accord with it, just as people in important places are expected to live according to their position.