Girgashites — The Bite of the Flesh
📖 Suggested Reading:
Deuteronomy 7:1–2; Romans 8:5–13; Galatians 5:16–24
These scriptures address the presence of the Girgashites in the land, God’s command to drive them out, and the ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit in the life of every believer.
We’ve all heard the phrase “follow your heart”—but if your heart is following the flesh, you might be listening to a Girgashite. These enemies of Israel represent something all too familiar: living for the earthly, natural, sensual desires of the body. The Girgashites remind us that the flesh doesn’t need a crown to rule—just a little room in the soul.
Unlike the more visible or vocal “ites,” the Girgashites were harder to pin down. Their name is tied to “clay-dwellers” or “earth-bound ones.” That’s fitting. They represent the pull of the flesh—that part of us always trying to drag the spiritual life back to the dirt.
⚠️ ITES – Influence, Tempt, Entangle, Sin
The Girgashite spirit moves through this full ITES progression:
- Influence: Fleshly desires begin to distract from spiritual priorities.
- Tempt: The flesh offers shortcuts, pleasures, and escapes from obedience.
- Entangle: Desires grow into habits. Habits harden into strongholds.
- Sin: The flesh bears fruit—not of righteousness, but of ruin.
And when the flesh rules, the Spirit is grieved. That’s why Paul wrote so clearly:
“Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh…” (Romans 8:5, ESV)
The Girgashite doesn’t shout. It whispers, “Relax. You deserve this.” But its bite will always follow.
📜 Who Were the Girgashites?
We don’t know as much about the Girgashites as some other nations. But that makes them more symbolic. Their name is linked to the Hebrew root for “clay” or “dirt”. They were land-dwellers, people tied to the physical realm—while Israel was called to live by the Spirit.
They represent the pull of the carnal nature. The appetite-driven, self-centered, comfort-craving instincts we all have. These are the habits that say:
- “Feed your body—don’t worry about your soul.”
- “Live for now. Eternity is a long way off.”
- “Everyone does it—God understands.”
And while we’re not called to hate our bodies, we are called to crucify our flesh. (Galatians 5:24)
🧠 The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
Paul describes this internal battle vividly:
“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh…” (Galatians 5:17, ESV)
The Girgashite doesn’t want to share your heart with the Spirit. It wants to rule it. That’s why:
- The flesh resists prayer.
- The flesh craves indulgence.
- The flesh justifies compromise.
- The flesh despises submission.
This isn’t about occasional weakness. It’s about habitual surrender. The Girgashite bite is subtle—but it numbs the heart and hardens the will.
💬 Where the Girgashites Hide Today
The flesh isn’t always grotesque. Sometimes it’s polished, cultured, and justified. You might find the Girgashite spirit in:
- 📺 Media choices that feed lust or anger.
- 🍷 Overindulgence in food, alcohol, or spending.
- 😤 Emotional reactivity—rage, bitterness, jealousy left unchecked.
- 🙈 Unchecked habits done in the dark, defended in the light.
The flesh always wants more. It never satisfies. That’s why it must be crucified—not managed.
📉 What the Flesh Will Cost You
The Girgashite bite numbs spiritual life, dulls discernment, and drags believers back to the dirt. Paul didn’t soften the warning:
“If you live according to the flesh you will die…” (Romans 8:13, ESV)
Here’s what walking in the flesh often costs:
- 🔥 Loss of spiritual passion
- 😞 Emotional and relational damage
- ⛓️ Bondage and addiction
- 🚪 Doors opened to the enemy
You can’t be led by the flesh and walk in the fullness of the Spirit. One must die for the other to reign.
🛡️ Driving Out the Girgashites
This enemy may feel like it lives in your skin—but in Christ, it can be defeated. Here’s how:
- Walk by the Spirit daily: Don’t just resist sin—pursue God (Galatians 5:16).
- Starve the flesh: What you feed grows. What you starve dies.
- Practice self-discipline: Small denials strengthen spiritual muscles.
- Stay accountable: Don’t fight in the dark. Bring your battles into the light.
- Remember your identity: You are not a slave to sin—you are alive in Christ (Romans 6:11).
The power of the flesh is real—but it’s not final. Jesus broke its grip at the cross.
🎯 Final Thought
The Girgashites didn’t come with dramatic flair. They just lingered—earthbound, rooted in the dirt, quietly pulling God’s people downward.
And that’s how the flesh still works. It doesn’t need to shout. It just needs to be allowed. But you have the Spirit of God within you—the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. The Girgashites don’t have to win.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24, ESV)
So live by the Spirit. Guard your appetites. Feed your soul. And don’t let the bite of the flesh rob you of the joy of full surrender.
