“…He restoreth my
SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD (the WORD of God) is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB). “….He (the WORD OF GOD) restoreth
my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).
“…The
trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I
don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not
the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me,
that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within
me…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“…May
God himself …make
you holy and whole,
put you together [again]—[through his holy] spirit, [your]
soul, and body …” (1
Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG).
*
From the perspective, of this
blog, the SOUL (the non-physical) of MAN/WOMAN includes the heart/thoughts,
emotions, affections, appetites, reason, conscience, personality, and human
will; all things, about yourself, you can't see. “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he
them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life (HIS SPIRIT); and man became a
living soul
(SOUL)…”
(Genesis 2:7 KJV).
God created MALE and FEMALE in his OWN image. or likeness God is SPIRIT
(which is also non-physical)! Therefore, any similarity sinful humanity has like God can ONLY BE that their SOUL, which is non-physical too. In order to have his IMAGE or LIKENESS, AGAIN, they need to be RESTORED to his HOLY SPIRIT. “…..God created man
in his own image (holy spirit)…..male and female created he
them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God …BREATHED into [their] nostrils the breath of life (HIS
HOLY SPIRIT)); and man became a "living" soul (SOUL)…”
(Genesis 2:7 KJV).
“…It is the [HOLY] SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63
NASB). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The
Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…”
(John 3:6 NLT). “….Apart from [THE HOLY SPIRIT] …you can do nothing (you cannot be restored to his IMAGE or LIKENESS)…” (John 15:5 NIV).
The BODY was CREATED to be a CONDUIT for the SOUL and HOLY SPIRIT to interact with the natural world. “AFTER” God, the HOLY SPIRIT breaths into the nostrils, of man, the “BREATH OF LIFE,” they BECOME a "LIVING: soul. WHY or HOW? “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…It is the SPIRIT who
gives LIFE…”
(John 6:63 NASB). “…..Man became a living soul (a "LIVE" SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). “… HE (God, the Holy Spirit) Himself GIVES to all people LIFE and BREATH …”
(Acts 17:25 NASB). “…apart from [God, the Holy Spirit] nothing came into
being that has come [or will come] into being …”
(Psalms 33:6 NASB & John 1:1-4 NASB). “…we exist
through Him …” (1 Corinthians 8:6 NASB).
“…..God created man in his own image (god is holy spirit)…..male and female created he
them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God …breathed into [their] nostrils the breath of life (HIS
HOLY SPIRIT); and man became a
living soul
(SOUL)…”
(Genesis 2:7 KJV). The BREATH OF LIFE is also God’s, HOLY
SPIRIT, which is NON-PHYSICAL, because “…God
is not human …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV).
“…“My thoughts are nothing like your
thoughts … And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine … my ways are
higher … my thoughts higher…”
(Isaiah 55:5-9 NLT). Man’s
SOUL is the NON-PHYSICAL aspect of their HUMANNESS. The BREATH OF LIFE, God’s HOLY SPIRIT(which is also non-physical) is the SPRITUAL part of their SOUL. The HOLY SPIRIT is the ONLY way mankind can be RESTORED to "HIS" IMAGE and LIKENESS. WHY? Because “…GOD IS
SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).
Man’s SOUL (non-physical) expresses itself
through thoughts/heart, words, emotions, affections, character, appetites, and
human will, but VIA the human BODY. “…..Man became a living soul (SOUL)…”
(Genesis 2:7 KJV). Yet, “…I
am all too human…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
Throughout
the bible the non-physical aspect of God is referred to as SPIRIT. “…God is Spirit …” (John
4:24 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM…”
(Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…Since the CREATION of the world God’s INVISIBLE
QUALITIES—… HIS
DIVINE NATURE—have been “CLEARLY SEEN”…”
(Romans 1:20 NIV). “…HIS DIVINE NATURE—have been “CLEARLY SEEN”, being UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT HAS
BEEN MADE…” (Romans 1:20 NIV).
Throughout the bible, the
non-physical aspect of mankind is referred to as the SOUL. “…My SOUL, wait thou… upon God…” (Psalms
62:5 KJV). “… Bless the Lord, O my SOUL….”
(Psalms 104:1 KJV). “…my SOUL doth magnify the Lord…” (Luke
1:46 KJV). “…You formed
my inward parts … I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my SOUL knows it very well …” (Psalms 139: 7:14 NASB).
God,
the HOLY SPIRIT is a spiritual BEING (non-physical). The SOUL of man is a
created being (non-physical). God’s HOLY SPIRIT is non-physical and man’s SOUL,
which is also non-physical share "this" similarity, but in order to have his IMAGE or LIKENESS they NEED to be restored, reconnected, or rejoined to his HOLY SPIRIT.
“….Let us make man in “our” image (holy spirit),
after our likeness (holy spirit)…”
(Genesis 1:26 KJV). Therefore, God, the HOLY SPIRIT is “NOT” human and the
SOUL of man is “NOT” spiritual, but they are both non-physical. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…”
(John 4:24 KJV). “…God is not human …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “….
[Yet], YOU THOUGHT I, (God, the HOLY SPIRIT) was EXACTLY like
you (a created SOUL)….” (Psalms 50:21 NIV). “….Let us make man in “our” image,
after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…..God
created man in his “own” image…..male and female created he
them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God …breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life (his image and likeness)…”
(Genesis 2:7 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).
I don’t plan to debate over terms or whether
God’s has a soul or not. Or whether the soul and spirit are interchangeable or if they are one and the same. I simply want to PRESENT, another perspective in
regard to the relationship between God, the
HOLY SPIRIT and man’s SOUL in hope that it will bring YOU closer to GOD and enhanced the intimate, covenant relationship with God.
God, the
HOLY SPIRIT has thoughts, emotions, and a divine will. Man’s SOUL has thoughts, words, and a human
will. HOWEVER, it is important to keep in one’s mind, mankind is CREATED in
God’s IMAGE; not the other way around. “…God
is not human …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…. [Yet], YOU THOUGHT I,
(God, the HOLY SPIRIT) was EXACTLY like you (a created SOUL) ...[but GOD IS NOT]….”
(Psalms 50:21 NIV).. “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…..God created man in his “own” image (holy spirit)…..male and female created he them…”
(Genesis 1:27 KJV).
God is SPIRIT. Mankind has a
created SOUL. The HOLY SPIRIT and the SOUL are BOTH non-physical. The BODY is a CONDUIT for the SOUL and allows
mankind to INTERACT with the natural WORLD.
The
BODY can also be a CONDUIT for the HOLY SPIRIT when JOINED to the SOUL again and
allows GOD to also INTERACT with the natural WORLD.
“….God
formed man of the dust of the ground (BODY),
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). . “….God saw … it was very good…”
(Genesis 1:31 KJV).
In the beginning, God, the HOLY
SPIRIT was joined with man’s SOUL. They dwelled
together in the BODY and
interacted together with the natural WORLD. “….God …breathed into [their] nostrils the breath of life (HIS
SPIRIT); and man became a
living soul
(SOUL)…”
(Genesis 2:7 KJV).
“….God saw … it
was very good…”
(Genesis 1:31 KJV). Mankind was originally created with
a BODY, GOD’s HOLY SPIRIT, and a SOUL. "...God created man in his “own” image (holy spirit)…..male and female created he them…”
(Genesis 1:27 KJV).
“….God formed man of the dust of the ground (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life (HOLY SPIRIT); and man
became a living soul (a SOUL that is SPIRITUALLY ALIVE!)…”
(Genesis 2:7 KJV). .
“….God saw … it was very good…”
(Genesis 1:31 KJV).
SIN
is the violation of God’s Holy commandments (big or small). “…Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin
is the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…Everyone
who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God….” (1 John 3:4 NLT).
What is sin? “…ALL
unrighteousness IS SIN…”
(1 John 5:17 KJV). “…ALL wicked actions ARE SIN…” (1 John 5:17
NLT). “…WHOsoever committeth SIN transgresseth also the
law: for SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4
KJV). “…EVERYONE WHO SINS is breaking God’s law, for ALL SIN is contrary to the
law of God….” (1 John 3:4 NLT).
SIN IS BREAKING GOD’S HOLY LAW. “…Through
one man SIN entered into the world, and death through sin, and so
death passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (is MISSING God's HOLY PRESENCE/IMAGE/LIKENESS)…”
(Romans 3:23 KJV).
After the violation, the BODY also called the FLESH became the SIN nature. “…The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and
debauchery …selfish ambition, dissensions …and the like. I warn you, as I did before,
that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God…”
(Galatians 5:19-21 KJV).
A
SIN nature is inherently or innately sinful at the CORE. Because the sin nature
is sinful at its CORE it can NOT CHANGE. “…For the sinful nature is ALWAYS hostile to
God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it
never will…”
(Romans 8:7 NLT). “…The [SOUL] governed
by the flesh is
hostile to God; it does not
submit to God's law (HOLY instructions), nor
can it do so…” (Romans 8:7 NIV). “…But
… [you will] not listen to me;
[you will] not
submit to me. So
I [will give you]…over to [your]…stubborn hearts to
follow [your]…own devices”
(Psalm 81:11-12 NIV).
SIN
is SO infused into the SINFUL NATURE that it has a inclination to SIN without
any coaching or training. “…There is none righteous (good), no, not one:”
(Romans 3:10 KJV).
SIN is infiltrated into every fiber of a
person’s fleshly nature. “For there
is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not”
(Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV).
The
SINFUL NATURE IS SOMETHING ALL HUMANITY IS "now" BORN WITH. “…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
THE SINFUL NATURE WAS PASSED ON
THROUGH ADAM AND EVE.“…Through one man SIN
entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed
to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).
The REALITY of the SINFUL nature is that IT will “NEVER” submit to
God’s Holy instructions. THE FLESH CAN’T and therefore, will NEVER “EMPOWER”
anyone to PLEASE GOD. “…The mind governed by
the flesh is
hostile to God; it does not
submit to God's law (instructions), nor
can it do so…” (Romans 8:7 NIV).
The SIN NATURE IS A REALITY
inherited by ADAM. “…Through one man SIN
entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans
5:12 KJV).
The SOUL is born into the world
housed “within” the SINFUL NATURE. The mindset of the SINFUL NATURE does “NOT” magically
disappear when the SOUL is REJOINED to the HOLY SPIRIT. “… I
[am] …a slave to the sin that is … WITHIN
ME (my flesh; my old mindset). … …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
The
GOOD NEWS is that the “RESTORED” SOUL is no longer a SLAVE to the SIN that is
DICTATED by the EVIL ONE through the SINFUL NATURE. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in
Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “….if the Son sets you free, you will be FREE
INDEED…” (John 8:36 NIV). “…. He restoreth
my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). . “... [You have been]
made free from sin….” (Romans 6:18 KJV).
While you (your SOUL) HAVE been SET free FROM SIN, you
STILL live in the FLESH while upon earth. The FLESH will NEVER follow God’s
instructions! “…For the
sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “… it does not submit to God's
law (instruction, nor can it do so…”
(Romans 8:7 NIV). “…it never will. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…The sinful nature (FLESH) wants to do
evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
What this means is that the SOUL
is FREE from SIN, but your FLESH is “NOT” free from sin.
When you SIN it is NOT your NEW CREATION self that doing it; it is your FLESH. “… if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature ... ALL THINGS are become new(except the flesh)...”
(2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…The
trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a
slave to sin … I want
to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one
doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do
what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
You cannot depend upon the FLESH to live a HOLY LIFE, because it
cannot HELP you. “…it never will. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “… it does not submit to God's law (instruction, nor can it do so…”
(Romans 8:7 NIV). “…THE FLESH
SETS ITS DESIRE AGAINST
the Spirit…” (Galatians 5:17 NASB).
The
SOUL, without the HOLY SPIRIT, has NO power over the DICTATORSHIP of the EVIL
ONE OVER the FLESH. “…When you [are controlled by the
dictatorship of the EVIL ONE over the FLESH]… the RESULTS are very clear:
sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish
ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these…” (Galatians 5 NLT).
The FLESH will only INFLUENCE the SOUL to sin
against and rebel against God’s Holy instructions. “…I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful
nature. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
The FLESH can and will NOT produce Spiritual life and
therefore profits you NOTHING. “…It is the SPIRIT who
gives “LIFE”; the flesh profits nothing…” (John
6:63 NASB).
The HOLY SPIRIT “EMPOWERS” you to put demands upon and
take authority over YOUR flesh until it BECOMES your SLAVE and you STOP being
the slave to your flesh. Why do you want to put demands on or take authority
over YOUR FLESH? Because, “….you are slaves of
the one you obey (follow)…” (Romans 6:16 NIV). Therefore, “...
I discipline my body and make it my slave...”
(1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB). “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV).
YOU CAN “…choose LIFE…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE LIFE…”
(John 6:63 KJV). “…Jesus (the WORD) saith…I am …THE LIFE…”
(John 14:6 KJV).
YOU ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE POWER, SLAVERY, OR
DICTATORSHIP OF THE EVIL ONE. You are INDWELLED by the ALMIGHTY “POWER” of God’s
HOLY SPIRIT. “... [Therefore, You have been] made free from sin….” (Romans 6:18 KJV). “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed...” (John 8:36 KJV).
YOU HAVE ALL THE POWER YOU
NEED TO RESIST SIN, TAKE AUTHORITY OVER THE FLESH, AND LIVE HOLY! “…GOD IS SPIRIT…”
(John 4:24 KJV). “…The Lord (Jesus, the
WORD OF GOD) is that Spirit…” too (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I
SPEAK ... ARE SPIRIT…”
(John 6:63 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…”
(John 3:6 NLT).
HOW? “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (the WORD)
“INTO” [YOUR HEART] (which is PART OF THE SOUL)…”
(Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…Jesus Christ (the
WORD) is IN YOU…”
(2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…”
(Romans 8:9 KJV). “….Apart from [THE HOLY SPIRIT], you (THE SOUL) can do
nothing (CAN’T FREE YOURSELF FROM SIN)…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…where the [HOLY]
Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom from sin)” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).
HOW DOES GOD’S INDWELLING POWER WORK?
“…The …HOLY SPIRIT …is the SOURCE of [FREEDOM
FROM SIN]. …it is …God who does
the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT
DISPLAYS God’s power (to FREE FROM SIN) THROUGH each of us … (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…That
great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you
with everything good for doing his will, and
may he work “IN US” what is pleasing
to him (freedom from SIN), through Jesus
Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…It is God which
worketh IN YOU (freedom from SIN) both to will (to want to be
free from sin) and to do
(to live free from sin) of his
good pleasure (be holy)…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…be holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter
1:16 KJV). “…by the grace of God I am what I am (FREED
FROM SIN)…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). “…I do
nothing of myself (like becoming
freed from sin)…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works (of freeing me from sin)…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…He helps me (become free from sin)…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT).
When you were FREED from SIN, everything is FREE, including
your mind. However, your MEMORIES, your past KNOWLEDGE, your EXPERIENCES, or how
you grew up or were DEVELOPED as a human being is still intact. God does not ERASE
the old mindset.
Thus, your MEMORIES, your past KNOWEDGE, your past
EXPERIENCES, and how you grew up or were developed was HEAVILY affected and
influence by the FLESH.
Because the OLD mindset is STILL in TACT; the flesh
will continue to affect you emotionally, mentally, and influence your behavior
UNLESS you choose to ALLOW the WORD OF GOD to begin to TRANSFORM you MIND. “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (in order to put demands
upon and take authority over the flesh)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “….you are slaves of the one you obey (follow)…” (Romans
6:16 NIV). Therefore, “... I discipline my body and
make it my slave...”
(1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB).
“…The sinful nature is always hostile to God
(therefore, the old mindset, affected by the sinful nature, is also hostile to
God). It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s
why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature (through the
old mindset) can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are
controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you …”
(Romans 8:1-14 NLT).“… (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living
in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you,
so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life
because you have been made right with God. The
Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God
raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by
this same Spirit living within you. …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT).“…Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no
obligation to do (by the dictates of your olf mindset) what your sinful nature urges you to do. For
if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the
Spirit (the WORD OF GOD) you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you
will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God (the WORD) are children
of God…” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “…Who will free me from this
life that is dominated
by (the old mindset affected and polluted by) SIN? …”
(Romans 7:14-25 NLT).“… The answer is in Jesus Christ
our Lord (the Word of God)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Jesus had another name. “… His
name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “… Jesus
(the WORD of GOD) …came and SPAKE, unto them saying, “All POWER is given
unto me IN heaven and earth…” (Matthew 28:18 KJV). “…
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through Jesus, the Son and the
WORD)….”
(Romans 12:2 KJV). “…If the Son therefore
shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed…” (John 8:36 KJV).
Even when the FLESH does good deeds - WITHOUT THE
HOLY SPIRIT - it is still TAINTED with SIN. EVERY FLESHLY gesture, done by the
sinful nature, is INFECTED or INFLUENCED with SIN. “… [ALL
have become]…..unclean and [their] righteousnesses (good deeds done by the flesh) are as filthy
rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).
“… if I
have the gift of prophecy,
and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love (GOD , the HOLY SPIRIT IS
LOVE), I AM
NOTHING. And if I bestow all
my goods to feed the poor,
and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love (GOD , the
HOLY SPIRIT IS LOVE), IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING…” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3 ASV).
“…the
flesh
profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB).
The
flesh is “…DEAD
in … sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). AND “….apart from … [God’s Holy Spirit], [the flesh can]… do nothing
(righteous or good)…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“…The trouble is with me, for I am all too
human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself,
for I want
to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does
it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my
sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t.
…I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
Paul said he was a SLAVE to the
SIN inherent in his FLESH. However, Paul was a man of God and he was FREED from SIN,
but he openly admitted he still struggled with the affects and influences of the SINFUL NATURE. “….I am carnal … [and it is]… sin that dwelleth in me (my sinful nature and its mindset). … I know that in me (that
is, in my flesh,)
dwelleth no GOOD thing: ….” (Romans 7:14-23 KJV).
The
SOUL, without the HOLY SPIRIT, has NO CHOICE, but to surrender its emotions,
affections, appetites, heart/thoughts, reason, personality, and human will over
to the dictatorship of the EVIL ONE.
“… the whole world lies under the power (BONDAGE, slavery,
DICTATORSHIP, etc.) of the evil one” (1
John 5:19 RSV).
“…I am all too
human, a SLAVE TO SIN…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me from
this life that is dominated by SIN?…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
The SOUL is CONTROLLED by the EVIL ONE through the SINFUL NATURE and its MINDSET whose desires are contrary to those
of the HOLY SPIRIT in EVERY area. “…The
sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [Holy] Spirit
wants. And the [Holy] Spirit gives us desires that are
the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other…”
(Galatians 5 NLT).
The FLESH refers to the
PHYSICAL BODY in much of scripture. The PHYSICAL BODY is the SINFUL NATURE and it is what has become dominated by SIN. “…Who
will free me from this life that is dominated
by SIN?…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
SIN is the violation of GOD’s HOLY instructions on ANY level, big
or small. “…Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the
law of God….” (1 John 3:4
NLT).
As we learned earlier, mankind was originally
created in God’s IMAGE, but the violation of God’s instruction opened the door
to SIN and SIN opened the door to the SINFUL NATURE and the SINFUL NATURE
opened the door to CORRUPTION. “…He that soweth to his flesh shall
of the flesh reap corruption…”
(Galatians 6:8 KJV).
CORRUPTION opens the door to
DEATH. .
“…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
“…Through one man SIN entered into the world, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and so death passed to all
men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).
The
SINFUL NATURE is a GUARANTEE of SPIRITUAL DEATH. Without SALVATION in CHRIST
JESUS (the WORD OF GOD) spiritual death is CERTAIN. “…The wages of sin is death (spiritual death)…”
(Romans 6:23 KJV). “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory
of God…” (Romans 3:23). “…As
it is written, There is none righteous,
no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV).
GOD STILL DELIVERS PEOPLE FROM BONDAGE. HE
HAS NOT CHANGED. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
IT IS
NOT TOO HARD FOR GOD TO DELIVER PEOPLE FROM ANY KIND OF BONDAGE. “…I am the Lord,
the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah
32:27 KJV). “…The things which are
impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).
PEOPLE
CAN NOT DELIVER THEMSELVES FROM THE BONDAGE OF THE SINFUL NATURE or its MINDSET. “…I
want to do what is right, but I
can’t. I want to do what is good…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me
(DELIVER ME) from this life that is dominated by SIN
(THE SINFUL NATURE) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (THE WORD OF GOD)…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
“…
[JESUS CHRIST, the WORD of GOD]… It is the power of God at work , saving (FREEING FROM SIN) everyone who
believes (DEPENDS UPON THE POWER OF HIS WORD)…”
(Romans 1:16 NLT).
The SINFUL NATURE has “NO” CONTROL over the
SOUL that is REJOINED with the HOLY SPIRIT; it is FREED from the POWER of SIN. “…Because
you belong to him,
the power of the life-giving
Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death (spiritual death) …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT).“…God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son (THE WORD, HIS CONFIRMING POWER) as a sacrifice
for our sins. He did this so that the
just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer
follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit...So letting your sinful nature control your
mind (command center of the SOUL) leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind (NEW command
center of the SOUL) leads to life and peace.” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT).
THEREFORE, “… Be transformed by the renewing of your
mind (the command center of the SOUL)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).“…Because
you belong to him,
…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “… the power of the
life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT).“…God declared an end to sin’s control over us...” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT).
“… (And
remember that those WHO DO NOT HAVE the Spirit of Christ (the HOLY SPIRIT) LIVING IN THEM do not
belong to him at all.) [Those who are restored to his image or likeness have] ...Christ [living] ... within [them],
so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life
because you have been made right with God. The
Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God
raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by
this same Spirit living within you. …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT).
YOU DON'T AUTOMATICALLY HAVE HIS IMAGE; YOU MUST BECOME "RESTORED" TO HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS THROUGH THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT!!
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