THE CRUCIFIED SINFUL NATURE & MIND CONTROL.

THE SINFUL NATURE: IS NO LONGER IN CONTROL

 “.. .[god’s redeemed people] ... are not controlled by ...[their]... sinful nature. (unless they choose to be) ... [they]... are controlled by the Spirit if [they choose to be AND] have the Spirit of God living in [them. THE SAME SPIRIT THAT RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD] …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). 

“...The (SAME) 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 8:11 NLT).

“... Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin...” (Romans 6:6 KJV).

“... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me...” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

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To CONTROL someone you have to have the POWER to influence them, direct their behaviors, and impact their choices. The bible urges, the redeemed, to be transformed by renewing their minds. “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind... [through the revelation knowledge of God, the Holy Spirit]...” (Romans 12:1 KJV).  “... Those who are dominated by the sinful nature (through the untransformed mind) think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit (through the transformed mind) think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT).

The REDEEMED soul is a FREED SOUL and NO LONGER has to follow the body of flesh (SINFUL NATURE), or it dictates, which is crucified. However, the crucified sinful nature will continue to CONTROL the untransformed mind and will influence God's people to engage, interact, and experience with destructive, sinful behaviors. The Word of God instructs, warns, directs, corrects, and guides God's people to “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).  Otherwise, “….you [will become] ... slaves of the one you obey (follow)…” (Romans 6:16 NIV).

“…The sinful nature is always hostile (antagonistic and unreceptive) to God  …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“..[The sinful nature]... never did obey (follow after) God’s laws, and it never will (follow after god’s holy laws)…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“...those who are still under the control of their sinful nature (through the untransformed mind) can never please God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“.. .[god’s redeemed people] ... are not controlled by ...[their]... sinful nature. (unless they choose to be) ... [they]... are controlled by the Spirit if [they choose to be AND] have the Spirit of God living in [them. The SAME Spirit that raised Jesus from the death.] …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“… (Christ lives within the redeemed)... The Spirit of God, who (powerfully) raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God (powerfully) raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give (spiritual life and power-filled) life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

"...God raised Him (Jesus) up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power..." (Acts 2:24 KJV).

^“...For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.  Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God....” (Romans 6:4-10 NLT).

“...I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave...” (Revelation 1:18 NLT).

“… The [indwelling Holy] ... Spirit gives you (the REDEEMED, spiritual) life because [they] have been made right with God (reunited with God, the Holy Spirit). …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, [the redeemed has]... no obligation to do what [their]... sinful nature urges [them]... to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit (the indwelling Holy Spirit) you [choose to]... put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God (the indwelling Holy Spirit) are children of God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by (the untransformed mind which has been totally informed by) SIN (through the body of flesh or the sinful nature)? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (THE WORD & the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“… Jesus (the WORD of GOD) …came and SPAKE, unto them saying, “All POWER is given unto me (the word) IN heaven and earth…” (Matthew 28:18 KJV). “… Be transformed (HOW?) by the renewing of your mind (through the POWERFUL WORD of God)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). Will the WORD make YOUR "mind" FREE? Yes. HOW? “…If the Son (the word) therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed (without a doubt!!)…” (John 8:36 KJV).

The REDEEMED can FREELY choose to trust in and depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to STRENGTHEN them to engage, interact, experience with the world anew. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces and introduces new information into the heart of the redeemed, through the WORD of God, which directs their thoughts and influences NEW behaviors. “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…I  will put a new spirit...[AND HEART]... in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…The Lord (JESUS, the Word) is that [indwelling] ...Spirit (or is that “new” heart and new spirit)…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ (the Word) is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…I can do all things through Christ (the Word) which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

The body of flesh is crucified, which means its dead and no longer in control, but it left its influence, or evil thoughts within the untransformed mind. The untransformed mind was educated and conditioned by the body of flesh and its dictates that the redeemed willfully and voluntarily allow their behaviors to be influenced and directed toward sin. On the other hand, the indwelling Holy Spirit, through the transformed mind, wants to influence and sanctify the redeemed, from evil thoughts, renewed by the WORD, which will empower them to direct their behavior toward righteousness.“…The sinful nature (flesh) 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 (flesh) desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

“... Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT).

One or the other - the body of flesh (the sinful nature) that desires to do evil or the indwelling Spirit that desires to do righteous - will influence, or direct the behavior of the redeemed. The crucified sinful nature does this through the information within the heart (mind) which CONTROLS the THOUGHTS that influence and direct behavior. “…The sinful nature (flesh) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [Holy] Spirit wants ...These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions...” (Galatians 5 NLT)

 If the mind is NOT transformed the body of flesh (sinful nature), which is crucified, will CONTINUE to DICTATE (influence, direct, etc.) behavior, and make it IMPOSSIBLE to overcome EVIL THOUGHTS or to LIVE FREE from SIN. “... the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey  ... and it never will...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT). “...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). “…Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit]… [the redeemed can]... do nothing [they cannot be TRANSFORMED]…” (John 15:5 NIV).

We are told: “… [The body of the REDEEMED becomes]... the temple of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) which is in [them]…” (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV). “ …The Spirit of God dwelleth in [the REDEEMED]…” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… All things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).    

Yet the bible also says: “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through the WORD)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).  How are the redeemed NEW CREATIONS and yet have the SAME MIND?

First God RESTORES the SOUL to spiritual LIFE. “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to (or restores) SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).  God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV). “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD (the WORD of God) is perfect (maturing), restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB). “….He (the WORD OF GOD) restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “…I (God, the holy spirit) will restore…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).  “….Jesus Christ (the WORD of GOD) maketh thee WHOLE (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “... and man (woman) became a living soul... [again] …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

Second, God SETS you FREE from the bondage of SIN, and your body of flesh is crucified.  “... our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin...” (Romans 6:6 KJV).  “….Jesus Christ (the WORD of GOD) maketh thee WHOLE (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “... and man (woman) became a living soul …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). “... [the redeemed 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). “…Where the Spirit (indwelling Holy Spirit) of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom)...” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “ …The Spirit of God dwelleth in [the REDEEMED]…” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV).

"...God raised Him (Jesus) up again, PUTTING AN END to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power..." (Acts 2:24 KJV).

 “... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith ( THE FAITH THAT TRUSTS IN and DEPENDS UPON GOD) of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me...” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

The body of flesh (sinful nature) is crucified. “...We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin...” (Romans 6:6 NLT).  “... My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me...” (Galatians 2:20 NLT). “..they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts...” (Galatians 5:24 KJV). “...Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there...” (Galatians 5:24 NLT).

Third, God has RESTORED spiritual LIFE, he has set the SOUL FREE from the bondage of SIN through the body of flesh. Now the redeemed are in the position to FREELY and WILLFULLY choose to follow God and NOT their SINFUL NATURE. “... [the redeemed 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). “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through the WORD)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).  “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (the flesh or the Spirit).” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

“….you [will become] ... slaves of the one you obey (follow)…” (Romans 6:16 NIV). “...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 (nature through my untransformed mind) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).  “... the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT).

All behavioral conditioning influenced, taught or learned through the sinful nature and its dictates have AFFECTED the MIND, which AFFECTS how you ACT.

“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

Sinful behaviors become formations of behavior which are now part of one’s lifestyle, especially after years and years of repeated and routine practice. Some of these behaviors, particularly the ones that include the pleasure center of the brain, HARDEN or CEMENT, with an overload and lifetime of chronic practice, making them extremely DIFFICULT to break or stop. “…Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil…” (Jeremiah 13:23 NIV). “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). 

THE BIBLE TELLS YOU HOW? JESUS IS ALSO THE WORD OF GOD. Jesus had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). THE WORD HAS THE "POWER" TO RENEW YOUR MIND AND ERADICATE THE INFLUENCE OF OLD SINFUL NATURE.

“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

“...letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT).

“…The sinful nature (flesh) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [Holy] Spirit wants ...These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions...” (Galatians 5 NLT).

“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

“... I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent...” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NLT).

The serpent deceived EVE by speaking to her and she listened. The EVIL ONE, through the serpent, used SOUND, SIGHT, and TOUCH, one of more or her FIVE SENSES (DICTATES), to do it. DICTATES are things, like the senses, that command, direct, or rule the behavior and make it OBEY its demands. “…The woman [became] ... convinced (THROUGH SOUND) [to eat from the tree, anyway]... She saw (SIGHT) that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked (SIGHT) delicious (TASTE), and she wanted (LUST of the FLESH) the wisdom (PRIDE of LIFE) it would give her. So she took (TOUCH) some of the fruit and ate it (TASTE)...” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “….She [choose to take] ... some of the fruit and [eat] ... IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

“….God saw everything he had made… [he said], it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). However, “… One sinner destroy[ed]… much good...” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).  EVE interacted, through the body of flesh, with the serpent, who was in God’s new created world, and MADE A DECISION about the information GIVEN to her by the EVIL ONE.  “…The woman [became] ... convinced .... She [choose to take] ... some of the fruit and [eat] ... IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

“…The…Lord God asked [Eve]…“What have you done? …“ …” (Genesis 3 NLT She chose to follow the body of flesh (sinful nature) and its dictates (commands). That choice“…separated [eve]… from [her]… God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…Through ...[Eve’s] ... [choice to follow the body of flesh & its dictates, sin]... entered into the world, and …passed to all men…” (Romans 5:12 KJV).

“... Eve was deceived (or enticed to interact with God’s world, through her body of flesh (sinful nature) by) ... the cunning ways of the serpent...” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NLT).

The body of flesh (sinful nature) and its FIVE SENSES (dictates) allow the SOUL to engage, interact, and experience the natural world while learning and gaining information at the same time. What the SOUL learns from the world, which empowers them to use their human will and make decision about the information they’ve gained. The brain (heart) is the information center and thus it informs the mind and the mind directs the behavior based off of that information. The MIND also influences the human will and thus CONTROLS behavior chioces by keeping CONTROL over the MIND. “...letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT).

The body of flesh (SINFUL NATURE), which is crucified and its FIVE SENSES (dictates) STILL have the capacity to have an effect on the redeemed, through the untransformed mind (information center).

The INFLUENCE is so ENTRENCHING that the body of flesh (sinful nature) and its dictates, which are crucified have the POWER to affect, the behavior of the redeemed, in intangible ways.

This POWER to AFFECT the behavior of the redeemed, even after death, in intangible ways, is the COGNITIVE affect (MIND affect) of the crucified sinful nature. It will continue to control what THE BELIEVER does if the MIND is “NOT” transformed! “…The sinful nature (flesh) wants to do evil ... so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions...” (Galatians 5 NLT).

“... the sinful nature ... never did obey God’s laws, and it never will...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT). “...our old sinful selves (the sinful natures) were crucified with Christ ...” (Romans 6:6 NLT). “..they that are Christ's have crucified the [body of]...flesh with the affections and lusts...” (Galatians 5:24 KJV).

The body of flesh (sinful nature) is DEAD and CRUCIFIED and yet it STILL CONTROLS what the redeemed does or does not DO. WHY? “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

That which is DEAD is DEAD and leads to DEATH. That which is Spiritual Life is LIFE and leads to LIFE and PEACE!