If you haven't done so already, I encourage you to read the first two entries on spiritual war. You will find them here and here. These define and describe the battle between the flesh and the Spirit.

What follows is a laundry list of fleshly patterns. It isn't a feel good list, but it is not without purpose.

Once you define your areas of fleshly vulnerability, and grasp the battle strategies employed by your enemy, you will be able to seize the correct spiritual weapon to wage a successful and effective war against the flesh in the power of the Spirit.

The Flesh Inventory

These traits are patterns of your thought, emotion, and behavior and comprise your flesh, not your identity. To see your true identity, reference this blog article.

Some of the traits are socially acceptable, some are not. These traits do not define you, nor do they determine who you are as a follower of Jesus Christ. Remember: We do not recognize ourselves by the flesh (ref, 2 Cor 5:16).

Guide: Put a checkmark beside the traits with which you identify then rate the checked traits on a scale from 1-10. Make 10 the highest/strongest rating.

Section One

Abused Depression

Angry at God Despondent

Angry at others Divisive

Angry at yourself Difficult to receive help

Anxiety Difficult to receive praise

Argumentative Dissatisfied

Astrology/Horoscopes/Occult Distant or aloof

Avoid intimacy Dominant

Bigotry (intolerance or prejudice of others) Don't belong

Bitterness Don't listen

Blame God Don't trust God

Blame others Doubt Scripture

Boastful Drink to relax

Bossy Driven

Can't apologize Drug dependency

Can't express gratitude Envy

Capable Escapism

Cause dissension Exceptional abilities

Competent False modesty

Complacent Fear of weakness

Compulsion to repay favors Fearful

Compulsive behavior Feel used

Compulsive thoughts Feel you don't matter

Conceit Gluttony

Control others Greed

Controlled by emotions Guilt (legitimate)

Controlled by peers Guilt (unwarranted)

Covetous Happiness is a major goal

Critical Harsh

Deceitful Hatred

Defensive Helpless

Demanding of others Homosexual attraction

Demanding of your rights Hostile toward God

Demanding of yourself Hostile toward others

Denial Hostile toward yourself

Section Two

Idolatry People pleasing

If it feels good, do it Perfectionism

Impatient Performance-based acceptance of others

Impulsive Performance-based acceptance of yourself

Impure thoughts Pitiful

Inadequate Pollyannaish

Incompetent Pornography

Independent Possessive of others

Indifferent to other's pain Possessive of things

Inferior Prejudice

Inhibited emotionally Presumptuous

Insecure Pride

Intelligent Procrastination

Intemperance Profane

Intimidate others deliberately Project blame

Introspective Prone to gossip

Jealousy Rebellious

Lacking joy Recognition is lacking

Lacking peace Rejected

Lacking personal value Religious emptiness

Lacking personal viability Resentment

Laziness Restless

Lonely Rigid or uncompromising

Loner Sadness

Lots of friends Self-absorbed

Low self-discipline Self-centered

Lust for pleasure Self-condemnation

Lust for recognition Self-confident

Manipulate others Self-depreciating

Materialistic Self-gratification

Must be in control Self-hatred

Must be strong Self-indulgence

Narcissism Selfish ambition

Negativism Selfish attitude

Neglected Selfish with possessions

Nervousness Selfish with time

Not submissive to authority Self-justification

Obsessive-compulsive Self-pity

Over-compensation Self-reliant

Overly ambitious Self-righteous

Overly opinionated Self-serving

Overly sensitive to criticism Self-sufficient

Overly quiet Sensuality

Overly submissive Sexual fantasizing

Passive Sexual lust

Passive aggressive Shameful/shame/shamed

Section Three

Silent treatment Unimportant

Skilled Unloved

Slovenly Unlovely

Sought after Unreasonable standards for others

Stupid Unreasonable standards for yourself

Subjective Untrusting

Suicidal thinking Use of blackmail to control

Superior Use of guilt to control

Suppress emotions Use of manipulation to control

Suspicious of God Use of money to control

Suspicious of others Use others

Talented Use of passivity to escape

Talk too much Use of threat to control

Temper Vanity or vain

Too quick to speak Weak

Unaccepted Withdrawal/withdrawn

Unbelief Workaholic

Undisciplined Worry

Ungrateful Worthless

Additional resources for you...

For a more complete examination of the "Flesh Inventory," see Lifetime Guarantee by Bill Gillham.

For an in-depth study of the battle between the flesh and the spirit in literary novel form, see No Mercy and Battle for the Round Tower by Preston Gillham.

Spiritual War: The Flesh Inventory (part 3 of 4)