What does it mean to make no provision for the flesh to gratify desires?

Some translations often render the word sarx as will as opposed to flesh, but this sadly creates a wrong impression. The word will, when used in the context of Romans 13:14 leaves the impression that our desires are generated by our wills. However, the human will in itself is not the problem, and this will can also be directed to that which is good. Paul, for example, in Romans 12:1–3 also makes an appeal upon us to cultivate a new attitude by means of our will. Nonetheless, when your will and your thoughts are governed by the flesh (sarx), things always go awry.

The flesh refers that human impulsiveness that lacks proper direction and is ungovernable (Paul is speaking here about flesh without bones, in contrast to a life that has flesh and bones). Those ungoverned by reason and law always give in to their own urges, like lust, sensual desires, personal preferences, emotions, and so forth. In other words, they gratify desires. The desires of the flesh and irrationality only seek satisfaction without regard to the welfare of either yourself or of your fellow human beings. For this reason the human will must never be surrendered to the flesh. Instead, the will must obey reason (of the Greeks), or the law (of Israel) in order to resist the tyranny of unbridled desires. Such unbridled desires not only destroy lives but also society as a whole. Love, on the contrary, heals lives and cares for society.¹