How do we understand the concept of “living after the flesh”? | Saint Peter & Saint Andrew Coptic Orthodox Church

The answer

St. Augustine says, “That we might not fall from continence, we ought to be especially vigilant against the treachery of diabolical suggestions to presume in our own strength. ‘For cursed be the one that trusts in man’ (Jer. 17:5). And who is that one but man? For, he cannot truthfully say that he does not put his trust in man who puts it in himself. And this, also, to live according to man, what is it except to live according to the flesh? Let him who is tempted by such a suggestion therefore, listen, and if there is in him any Christian feeling, let him tremble; let him hear this, I say: ‘If you live according to the flesh, you shall die’ (Rom. 8:13).”⁸¹⁷

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Notes

⁸¹⁷ St. Augustine of Hippo, On Continence 4.10 (FOTC 16:200) amended.

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Volumes 1 and 2, Books 1–7. First English Edition, 2023. Published by St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria, and Queen St. Mary & Prince Tadros Coptic Orthodox Church, South Brunswick, NJ. Copyright © 2023. Translation and Editing: Youth of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Arabian Gulf, and Egypt.