Some things that folks attribute to the devil are really nothing more than works of the flesh. It is important to realize that every thing that’s wrong in life is not directly the work of an evil spirit.
When the Bible talks about keeping the flesh under the dominion of the spirit, too many times folks think that only refers to keeping sexual desires under control. Well, it’s true you’ll have to keep your body under subjection in that area. But right on the other hand, did you ever notice what else the Bible lists as works of the flesh or the old man nature?
The Works of the Flesh
Galatians chapter 5 lists the works of the flesh.
GALATIANS 5:17, 19-21
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. . . .
19 Now the WORKS OF THE FLESH are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditious, heresies
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. . . .
What many folks call works of “the devil," the Bible calls the works of the flesh. In Ephesians 4:25-32, Paul lists some of the traits of the “old man” - the flesh or man’s unregenerated nature: lying, stealing, corrupt communication, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, and malice. And he also describes some of the traits of the new man in Christ: truthfulness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness.
You can see that keeping the flesh under control or under the dominion of the new man in Christ involves more than just keeping sexual desires under control. It involves keeping all the evil tendencies of the flesh in check and under the dominion of the recreated spirit.
Put off the Flesh
The Bible tells us how to deal with the body and soul -- man's carnal, fleshly nature. We are to “put off” the old man with his fleshly lusts. And we are to “put on” the new man in Christ.
EPHESIANS 4:22-24
that Ye put off concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the Deceitful lusts;
And [you] be RENEWED in the spirit of your mind;
And that YE PUT ON THE NEW MAN,which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Who is to put off the nature of the old man or the works of the flesh? You are! “You” is the subject of verse 22. God is not going to “put off the old man” for you. You will have to put off the old man with his envy, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking, You aren’t dealing with evil spirits when you put off those evil tendencies; you are just dealing with your flesh.
All too often believers try to take the easy way out and call these evil tendencies of the flesh a “demon” or an “evil spirit.” That way they don’t have any responsibility; they can blame everything on Satan. But the Bible just calls these evil tendencies man’s fleshly nature, and the believer has to do something about that himself.
The only way you can put on “the new man” is to renew your mind with the Word of God. Putting off the old man and putting on the new man is part of your “reasonable service” or your “spiritual worship” (Rom. 12:1,2).
You’ve got to keep those evil tendencies and attitudes under the dominion of your spirit -the man on the inside -and let the new creature in Christ dominate. As you “put on” Christ you’ll be able to walk in the Spirit of God and not in the flesh where you are an easy prey for Satan.
If you didn’t have your flesh and its carnal nature to deal with, you wouldn’t be human. And as long as you’re in your body, you will have your fleshly, carnal nature to contend with. For example, if someone hits you and your flesh isn’t in subjection to your spirit. it will want to retaliate and hit him back. That’s the way the carnal nature acts apart from God. If someone hurts you, your flesh wants to get even and retaliate and hold bitterness and resentment against the person. That's the old "get-even nature of flesh. It's not a devil or demonic activity.