1 Corinthians 1:26-29 English Standard Version
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,[according to the flesh] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being[no flesh] might boast in the presence of God.
Those of us in Christ understand these verses very well. When we have been in the Way for a number of years the chains of slavery to sin are a distant memory. We must remember this in order to relate the gospel to those who are hearing it for the first time. They might not see them as chains but might relate to the flesh that dominates their thoughts and actions.
There is no struggle between the spirit and the flesh for the lost, no spirit has been given to win that fight. All we can do is point to the sickness. Are they sick of sin or are they reveling in it? This is where the issues of weakness begs for some relief, some control, to relieve the soul from the loss of control.
The strong flesh will revel in triumph. They dominate others and abuse their power to subject others to their own selfish will. This is why God has sent this message about shaming the strong. They will never taste the glory of Christ because their appetites are of the flesh.
We should remember that moment in our own personal confession of condition that led us to Christ.
Mine was simple. “I don’t want to be like this.”
Some might believe confession has to be specific in detail in order to be real. All that is required is to be honest about our heart condition and ask for help. There are no magic words.