“…I want to do
what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“…Who
will free me
from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus
Christ our Lord (the WORD OF GOD)…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “…if the
Son (Jesus Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit)…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE
indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).
“... 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).
*
SCRIPTURE(S): “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong,
but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus
Christ our Lord (the WORD OF GOD)…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT).
PURPOSE OR GOAL OF LESSON: TO LEARN
THE ORIGINS OF ONE’S APPETITES, HUNGER, AND DESIRES.
APPLICATION OF
LESSON:
TO ALLOW GOD TO EMPOWER YOU TO LIVE HEALTHY IN ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE,
INCLUDING YOUR RESPONSES TO CERTAIN CRAVINGS, APPETITES, AND DESIRES.
TOPIC DISCUSSION: DISCUSS
SOME OF YOUR OWN PERSONAL CRAVINGS, APPETITES, AND DESIRES THAT ARE THAT “NOT” GOOD
FOR YOUR WELL-BEING OR HEALTH. ALSO DISCUSS WHY YOU STILL DO THEM. ASK
YOURSELF IS IT BECAUSE YOUR WANT TO OR YOU FEEL CONTROLLED BY THAT CRAVING OR
DESIRE OR IT IS BOTH? CRAVINGS are empowered by DESIRES or
something the body of flesh or sinful nature longs for, lusts after, has a
passion for, yearns, covets, or has an unnatural or dysfunctional hunger for. What
is a CRAVING specifically? A craving is a POWERFUL and sometime “out of
control” desire for something or someone. What is HUNGER? HUNGER, on the other
hand, was meant to be the original desire or PHYSICAL need
for food in order to nourish the body of flesh and keep it working and healthy.
APPETITE was its partner, originally, created to provide an healthy DESIRE
for FOOD, which was meant to motivate the behavior necessary to go get it. What
is an APPETITE specifically? An appetite is the DESIRE to EAT or CONSUME
something. An APPETITE to consume something is stimulated when something
APPEALS to one’s DESIRES, through one or more of the five senses, for that
thing or person. Appetites can POWERFULLY motivate a person’s BEHAVIOR to DO
what is necessary to SATISFY its demands. The body of flesh and the FIVE SENSES were created,
for example, to SERVE the SOUL and help them engage, interact, and experience appetite
in a way that regulates their ENERGY INTAKE for METABOLIC purposes. HUNGER and
APPETITE were created “GOOD” and were meant to work together to help KEEP the
body of flesh properly fueled and healthy for the SOUL’S usage. HUNGER was a
God-given need for food and APPETITE
was the God-given desire for food. When “…God saw everything he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…”
(Genesis 1:31 KJV). The healthy “desire” for food
(appetite) was meant to motive healthy behavior to consume food (hunger)
necessary to maintain a healthy body of flesh. God created GOOD and HEALTHY
food for them. “...I have given you every herb bearing
seed, which is upon the face of
all the earth, and every tree, in the
which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed;
to you it shall be for meat...it was VERY GOOD...” (Genesis 1:29, 31a KJV). The
DESIRE for food comes THROUGH one or more of the FIVE SENSES. For example, the
SOUL engages in EATING when it SMELLS certain foods and/or SEES certain foods. The
DESIRE for food, when the body of flesh SMELLS or SEES certain FOODS can become
a CONDITIONED response that motivates behavior. A CONDITIONED response is
LEARNED through associations between something in the environment and natural
responses to hunger and appetite. The smell of certain foods or the sight of
certain foods is associated or paired with “natural” hunger and appetite in
order to motivate behavior necessary
to satisfy the need to consume something. The presentation of healthy FOOD was
meant to naturally trigger a healthy hunger and appetite to motivate the
appropriate behavior to seek after necessary nourishment for the body of flesh.
However, the world is under the power of
the EVIL ONE, and the EVIL ONE’s presentation of UNHEALTHY FOODS is meant
to unnaturally trigger unhealthy hungers and appetites to motivate inappropriate
behavior to seek after food NOT necessary for the body of flesh. The SMELL of
certain, unhealthy foods and the SIGHT of certain, unhealthy foods NOW motivate
behavior to satisfy those unnatural hungers and appetites. For example, after
years of learning, engagement, exposure, and indulgence, the SMELL and SIGHT of
certain UNHEALTHY foods begin to TRIGGER unnatural hunger and appetite that
will motivate the behavior to GO after it! The CONDITIONED response to the
smell and sight of certain UNHEALTHY FOODS becomes established and strengthen
over years and years of engagement and can easily trigger unhealthy hunger and
appetite patterns to motivate unnatural behaviors to seek after those foods. The
original God-given and natural HUNGER and APPETITE totally disappears and
becomes dysfunctional. The learned HUNGER and APPETITE, in the world under the power of the EVIL ONE, becomes the FAMILIAR
and CONDITIONED response to the SMELL and SIGHT of certain FOODS. HUNGER and
APPETITE linked together will MOTIVATE a person’s behavior to TAKE ACTION
necessary to SATISFY the NEED (real or conditioned) for FOOD (healthy or
unhealthy). It is HUNGER and APPETITE that the EVIL ONE perverts and uses it to
MOTIVATE sinful behavior and influence one to TAKE ACTION to SATISFY the NEED,
whatever IT IS. UNDER the POWER of the EVIL ONE, HUNGER is PERVERTED to satisfy
the PHYSICAL body of flesh and its MANY sinful CRAVINGS. APPETITE is also PERVERTED
to satisfy the DESIRE to CONSUME the MANY sinful CRAVINGS using one or more of
the FIVE SENSES. When UNDER the power of
the EVIL ONE, the body of flesh engages in consuming many things in the natural
world by SMELLING them, or SEEING them, TASTING them, HEARING about them, or
TOUCHING them. While the body is ENGAGED, or INTERACTING or
EXPERIENCING the consumption of sinful things within the natural world, through
the FIVE SENSES, the SOUL is learning something about what they are doing. Whatever
the SOUL is learning, through the body of flesh and one or more of the FIVE
SENSES, it SENDS that INFORMATION to the heart, which informs the mind that, in
turn, form thoughts that direct or motivate behavior. God created the heart (mind) to be the
information center to help the soul observe, perceive, learn, experience, and
make decisions about HIS CREATED WORLD. INITIALLY, the body of flesh, through
the FIVE SENSES, helped the SOUL engage, interact, and experience God’s “GOOD”
created world. For example, SIGHT helped with
visual learning. HEARING helped with associating
different sounds. TASTE helped with learning to
discriminate one preferable thing from another. SMELL
helped by providing memories. TOUCH helped with
experimental learning. In the BEGINNING ALL of mankind’s FIVE SENSES were
influenced by GOD’S GOOD CREATED WORLD. “….God saw every thing he had
made… [he said], it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).
A
person is NOT born with a particular appetite, but an appetite is developed.
Appetite GROWS and CHANGES into particulars as one experiences the diversity of
things, within the world, that can be CONSUMED when one is HUNGRY (real or
conditioned) for “something.” HUNGER can be a GOOD thing and was God-given to
HELP the SOUL properly care for the physical needs, of the body of flesh, in a
WHOLESOME and HEALTHY Way! The FIVE SENSES were given to help the SOUL engage,
interact, and experience GOOD things to consume that benefit them, especially
spiritually. The EVIL ONE perverted HUNGER and USES it to KILL, STEAL, and
DESTROY the healthy eating habits of SOUL so they will NOT properly care for
the physical needs, of the body of flesh, in a WHOLESOME or HEALTHY way. The
FIVE SENSES are now PERVERTED and WON’T help the SOUL engage, interact, or
experience GOOD things to consume, but harmful things that won’t benefit them,
especially physically or spiritually. Information within the heart, gleaned
from the world under the power of the
EVIL ONE, is responsible for associating specific, human, appetites with a
reward system that satisfies the body of flesh in many carnal ways. Specific,
human, appetites linked with a reward system that satisfies the body of flesh,
most likely, provide an calming effect to the psyche. This calming effect
reduces stress. This calming effect that reduces stress makes the body of flesh
FEEL better. The memories associated with specific appetites that have a reward
system (like calming) becomes desirable to repeat. This desire, to repeat an
unhealthy habit, turns into a craving when a specific appetite is satisfied
over and over again, followed by a reward (like calming). Thus, the desire, now
an uncontrollable craving, becomes a POWERFUL behavior that gets OUT OF CONTROL.
Trying to stop the “out of control” craving, through the body of flesh is like
trusting in and depending upon the very thing that developed the habit in the
first place. Only God can truly DELIVER a person from entrenching habits or
strongholds that have become established, “out of control,” cravings. Trying to
replace “out of control” cravings with something else in order to stop the
habit depends on how rewarding, calming, and desirable the alternative is. Using
substitutes, alternatives, or modifications to stop “out of control” cravings
associated with specific rewards, like calming, is “STILL” reinforcing the
habit, though on a much smaller scale. For the redeemed soul the key is “NOT”
simply to BREAK the habit, but to walk in totally FREEDOM and DELIVERANCE from
it. The EVIL ONE puts into the WORDLY environments many things that trigger,
entice, manipulate, or reinforce mankind’s cravings, and make it almost impossible
for them to BREAK habits. GOD puts the
indwelling Holy Spirit into the HEART of the redeemed soul, in seed-like
form, in order to empower them to live and walk in FREEDOM and DELIVERANCE. The
redeemed soul is FREE and DELIVERED from the POWER of triggers, enticements,
manipulations, or reinforcements conditioned by the EVIL ONE through long
established behaviors. The problem with trying to rid oneself of established
behaviors is experienced when demands or rules are placed upon the body of
flesh that is incapable of conquering deep rooted habits or strongholds. The
body of flesh is a vessel created to engage, interact, and experience the
natural world through the FIVE SENSES. It does what it does. It doesn’t obey
God and it NEVER will. It is flesh. It is also a sinful nature. Trying to BREAK
a habit, by attempting to discipline your body of flesh alone or without the
help of the indwelling Holy Spirit
will ONLY make the “out of control” craving more DESPERATE. Eventually, you
will end up indulging in the established habit, AGAIN, even more to compensate
for lost time. Being DELIVERED from a habit by trusting in and depending upon
the FREEDOM through Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to STOP an “out of control”
craving. The sinful nature is dead and crucified, but the information stored in
the heart by the sinful nature, sends the same information to the mind that
forms thoughts that respond to triggers, enticements, manipulations, and
reinforcements. These triggers, enticements, manipulations, and reinforcements are
everywhere in the EVIL ONE’S carnal environments, which makes it almost impossible
to break “out of control” and
established habits. In addition, indulging in, “out of control” cravings are easy,
accessible, familiar, comfortable, and satisfying. The EVIL ONE through one or
more of your FIVE SENSES conditioned your body of flesh to have an appetite for
unhealthy pleasures that reward you, calm you, and fulfill your desire until it
becomes an “out of control” craving and an established, unbreakable habit. God
does not come to REPAIR, FIX, ALTER, or REPLACE “out of control” cravings that
have become established habits, he came to DELIVER and FREE you completely from them. He came to EMPOWER,
through the indwelling Holy Spirit, the
redeemed soul to walk and live in FREEDOM from “out of control” cravings and established
habits. Trying to put RULES and REGULATION upon the body of flesh with “out of
control” cravings and long established habits is a recipe for failure. Ethical
behavior is NOT spiritual behavior. “…The ...[body of]...flesh
profiteth nothing…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…Human effort (through the body of
flesh) accomplishes nothing….” (John 6:63 NLT). “…If I bestow all my goods to feed the poor (body of flesh effort only), and if
I give my body to be burned (body of flesh effort only), but have not love (God is LOVE and the indwelling HOLY
SPIRIT), IT
PROFITETH ME NOTHING…” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3 ASV)."… if the salt has become tasteless … It is no
longer good for anything, except to be thrown out…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB). “…The sinful nature is always hostile to God . …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “..[The sinful nature]... never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.…” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “...those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can
never please God…” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). Many go on diets from their “out of control” cravings and some are
successful as long as they stick to the rules and regulations. It is always a
struggle. On the other hand, some choose to have faith in God, the Holy Spirit to EMPOWER them to
live and walk in FREEDOM from their cravings. Many, who have faith in God, have
enjoyed overwhelming victory, from
the cravings of the sinful nature, as long as they continually trust in and
depend upon his indwelling Holy Spirit
to EMPOWER them to WALK in FREEDOM. “...In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I
have overcome the world...” (John 16:33 KJV). “... Here on earth you
will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT). “...Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27 KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter
into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV). “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). Following rules and
regulations to STOP “out of control” cravings and being DELIVERED from “out of
control” cravings may MIRROR one another, for a while. However, the DIFFERENCE
is the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS deliverance and HELPS the
redeemed soul to LIVE and WALK in FREEDOM. “... [God’s]
…Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it
ALL]…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). Following rules and
regulations is often LIKE trying to FIX “out of control” cravings and
established habits whereas DELIVERANCE “IS” TOTAL FREEDOM from “out of control”
cravings and established habits. For the redeemed soul, there are no rules and
regulations, there is only belief and unbelief. “... You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the
spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle!
Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These
rules may seem wise because they
require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT). “…Trust
in (DEPEND UPON) the Lord with all
thine heart; and lean not
unto (DON’T DEPEND UPON) thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that
which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “… The
Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “…You
are my helper and my savior…”
(Psalms 40:17 NLT). “…The steps (OF DELIVERANCE) of a good man
(woman) are ordered (DIRECTED) by the Lord: …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV). “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB). When the
redeemed soul is DELIVERED from “out of control” cravings and established habits
the problem is NOT the body of flesh or its dictates anymore, but the struggle
is “IN” the MIND (heart). “...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). “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through the WORD of God)….”
(Romans 12:2 KJV). Living and walking in DELIVERANCE and
FREEDOM from the SINFUL NATURE requires exposure to the TRUTH. It is the TRUTH
that sets you, the redeemed soul, FREE. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! 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).
“… the Son (Jesus Christ, the indwelling Holy
Spirit. the Word of God)…shall make you FREE...” (John 8:36 KJV).
CONDITIONED CRAVINGS, APPETITES, AND
DESIRES
1.
WHAT IS A CRAVING? A CRAVING
IS A POWERFUL AND SOMETIME “OUT OF CONTROL YEARNING FOR SOMETHING OR SOMEONE.
CRAVINGS ARE DYSFUNCTIONAL AND CONDITIONED HUNGER. WHAT IS AN APPETITE? AN APPETITE IS THE NEED (REAL OR IMAGINED) TO EAT OR CONSUME
SOMETHING. IT IS STIMULATED WHEN SOMETHING APPEALS TO ONE’S NEED TO EAT OR
CONSUME AND CAN POWERFULLY MOTIVATE A PERSON’S BEHAVIOR IN ORDER TO SATISFY
THAT NEED (REAL OR IMAGINED). GOD GAVE MANKIND AN APPETITE IN ORDER TO
EXPERIENCE HUNGER. WHY WAS THIS MEANT TO BE A GOOD THING FOR MANKIND? HUNGER AND APPETITE
WERE MEANT TO HELP MANKIND REGULATE THEIR ENERGY INTAKE FOR METABOLIC PURPOSES,
IT ALSO NOURISHES THE BODY, KEEPS IT ENERGIZED, FUELED, AND HEALTHY. HUNGER
WAS THE GOD-GIVEN “NEED” FOR FOOD AND APPETITE WAS THE GOD-GIVEN “DESIRE” FOR
FOOD. WAS HUNGER AND APPETITE ORIGINALLY CREATED TO BE “GOOD?” YES, IT WAS VERY GOOD. “…God saw everything he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…”
(Genesis 1:31 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
God created mankind with a healthy
desire or appetite for food which was meant to motive healthy behavior, through
hunger, to consume what kind of “genesis” food? Vegetables
and fruits.
“...I have given you every
herb bearing seed, which
is upon the face of all the earth, and every
tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree
yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat...it was VERY GOOD...” (Genesis
1:29, 31a KJV). THE DESIRE OR APPETITE FOR FOOD COMES
FROM ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE SENSES. NAME ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVES SENSES THAT
MOTIVATED EVE’S BEHAVIOR TO “EAT” OR CONSUME THE FORBIDDEN APPLE. SIGHT, DESIRE TO TASTE.“…The woman [became] ...
convinced (THROUGH SOUND) [to eat from the tree]... 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 (the information put into heart, informed her mind, which
directed her behavior) ... Then she gave some to her
husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7
NLT). THE DESIRE OR APPETITE FOR FOOD HAS BECOME
CONDITIONED AND SO HAS HUNGER. BEFORE EVE “TOOK” THE FRUIT TO CONSUME IT, THE
BIBLE SAYS SHE “SAW,” “IT LOOKED
DELICIOUS,” AND SHE “WANTED” IT. DOES IT SAY EVE WAS ALSO HUNGRY? NO. “…She
saw
(SIGHT) that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked (SIGHT) delicious (TASTE),
and she wanted (LUST of the FLESH) ...So she took
(TOUCH) some of the fruit and ate it (TASTE)...”
(Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. HUNGER
HAS BECOME CRAVINGS AND APPETITES HAVE BECOME PERVERTED. THROUGH CONDITIONED
RESPONSES, THE SINFUL NATURE CONTROLS MANKIND’S CRAVINGS, APPETITES, AND
DESIRES. A CONDITIONED RESPONSE IS LEARNED THROUGH THE SINFUL NATURE. HOW DOES
A REDEEMED SOUL GAIN FREEDOM FROM THE CONDITIONED RESPONSES OF THE SINFUL
NATURE? BY TRUSTING AND DEPENDING UPON THE FREEDOM,
FROM THE SINFUL NATURE, THEY’VE GAINED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST and allowing his
indwelling holy spirit to empower them to live and walk in freedom.
“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by...[the
conditioned responses learned from the]... SIN(FUL) [NATURE]? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus
Christ our Lord (the WORD OF GOD)…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). IS THE SINFUL NATURE CRUCIFIED WITH
CHRIST? YES. WHY IS THE REDEEMED SOUL STILL
CONTROLLED BY THE SINFUL NATURE. THEY HAVE “NOT” CHOSEN
TO TRUST IN AND DEPEND UPON THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT TO EMPOWER THEM TO LIVE
AND WALK IN FREEDOM FROM THE SINFUL NATURE. “... 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). “…I want to do what
is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Trust in (DEPEND UPON) the Lord
with all thine heart; and lean
not unto (DON’T DEPEND UPON) thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that
which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). IS THE REDEEMED SOUL FREED FROM
THE SINFUL NATURE? YES. HOW? JESUS SET THEM FREE FROM 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 (the WORD OF GOD)…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “…if the
Son (Jesus Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit)…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE
indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. WILL GOD HELP THE
REDEEMED SOUL LIVE AND WALK IN FREEDOM? YES, GOD, THE
HOLY SPIRIT WILL HELP THEM. “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “…You are my helper and my savior…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT). HOW DOES GOD
ACTUALLY HELP THE REDEEMED SOUL? HIS HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS
WITHIN THEM AND EMPOWERS THEM TO LIVE AND WALK IN FREEDOM. “…It is God who
WORKS IN YOU…”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…That
great Shepherd of the sheep, EQUIP (empower) you with
everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…That great Shepherd of the sheep …may he work
in us what is pleasing to him through
Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “
… ...God ...does the work IN and THROUGH ...[THE
REDEEDMED SOUL]. The HOLY SPIRIT
DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each ...[redeemed soul] … (1
Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). DOES EVERY
REDEEMED SOUL HAVE THE INDWELLING “POWER” OF GOD WITHIN THEM? YES. HOW DID THE REDEEMED SOUL GET THE GIFT OF THE
INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT? GOD SENT THE SPIRIT INTO THE
HEARTS of the redeemed souls WHEN THEY RECEIVED JESUS. “… AS MANY
as received him, to them “GAVE” HE
POWER TO BECOME THE “SONS” OF GOD (children of God)…” (John 1:12 KJV). HOW? “…God has sent forth the Spirit
of His Son “INTO”
...[their].. HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “….[Redeemed souls received]... the GIFT
of the Holy Ghost (Spirit)…” (Acts 2:38 KJV). . “…God has given [redeemed
souls] his Spirit as PROOF that [they]… live (are
alive) in him and he [dwells]…in
[them]…” (1
John 4:13 NLT). “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…God has …given
..[redeemed souls]... a spirit
…of power…”
(1 Timothy 1:7 NLT). “…[Redeemed souls]...
can do all things (live and walk in freedom from the sinful nature) through
Christ which strengtheneth..[them]...
(empowers them) …” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
If the whole world is under the
power and influence of the evil one, where does the various lusts of the sinful
nature come from? From the carnal world that is under
the power and influence of the evil one. “…the
whole world lies under the power
(influence) of the evil one” (1
John 5:19 RSV). “…Abstain
from fleshly lusts …” (1 Peter 2:11). “…ALL that is in
the world, the LUST of the flesh, and the LUST of the eyes and THE PRIDE OF LIFE...is NOT of the Father, but
it is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the LUST thereof….” (1 John 2:16-17
KJV). THE
SMELL OR SIGHT OF UNHEALTHY THINGS, PEOPLE, CONSUMPTIONS WILL MOTIVATE BEHAVIOR,
EVEN IN THE REDEEMED SOUL. IN ORDER TO SATISFY UNNATURAL CRAVINGS, APPETITES,
AND DESIRES. WHAT IS DOMINATING THE REDEEMED SOUL WHEN THEY WANT TO DO RIGHT,
BUT don’T? THE SINFUL NATURE. “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…I [am] …a slave to the (conditioned responses
to do wrong from the) sin(ful) (nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).“...I
want to do what is good, but I
don’t …” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “…The
...[sinful]... nature ...never did obey God’s laws, and it never will...[if the redeemed soul follows the sinful nature,
they will never obey god either]…” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human (because
of the sinful nature),
…”
(Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “….I was born a sinner (with a
sinful nature) ….”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6.
Hunger and appetite was meant to work together to
motivate a person’s behavior to satisfy the need to nourish their bodies in a
healthy manner. What happened to god’s original “good” intention for hunger and
appetite? The sinful nature doesn’t want to do good and
it won’t empower the soul to do good either, so god’s good intentions won’t be
carried out “through” the sinful nature. “…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, so
you are not FREE to carry out your good
intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).“...I want to do what is right, but I can’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…I [am] …a slave to ... (my conditioned
responses to do wrong through the) sin(ful) (nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).“...I
want to do what is good, but I
don’t …” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). IS THE REDEEMED SOUL CONTROLLED BY THE
CONDITIONED AND LEARNED RESPONSES FROM THE SINFUL NATURE ANY LONGER? NO. WHY OR WHY NOT? THE POWER
OF THE INDWELLING SPIRIT HAS SET THE REDEEMED SOUL FREE FROM ALL POWER AND
INFLUENCE OF THE SINFUL NATURE. “…The sinful nature is always hostile to God (therefore,
the old information, stored in the heart(mind) and is affected by the sinful
nature, is also hostile to God). It (the
sinful nature) never did obey God’s laws, and it (the sinful nature) never will.
That’s why those who
are still under the control of their sinful nature (through the old information
stored in the heart(mind)) 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). “… (Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of
sin, the [indwelling Holy] ... Spirit gives you life because you have been made
right with God (reunited with God, the Holy Spirit). 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 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
indwelling Holy Spirit, you) ...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).
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. The redeemed soul is affected and polluted by
information, stored in their hearts (minds), by the sinful nature. What can
they “choose” to do to live and walk in freedom from the sinful nature? Trust in and depend upon jesus, the word and the indwelling
power to strengthen them to live and walk in freedom. “…Who will free me
from this life
that is dominated
by (the information, stored in the heart(mind) and is affected and polluted by
the) SIN(FUL) NATURE?
…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “… The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (the Word and the indwelling
Holy Spirit too)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). HOW
DOES THE REDEEMED SOUL CHOOSE TO CLEAN OUT THE OLD INFORMATION, STORED IN THE
HEART(MIND)? BY RENEWING THEIR MINDS(HEARTS).“… Be
transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:2 KJV). WHAT
DOES THE REDEEMED SOUL NEED TO RENEW THEIR MINDS? THE
WORD OF GOD. WHAT WILL THE WORD OF GOD DO FOR THE REDEEMED SOUL IN ORDER
TO RENEW THEIR HEARTS(MINDS)? CLEAN AND WASH AWAY THE
OLD INFORMATION STORED THERE THROUGH SANCTIFICATION. “...the will
of God (his heart’s desire.), [is]…your SANCTIFICATION …” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NASB). “…God (the Holy Spirit) ... Himself SANCTIFY
you entirely…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “...You
[redeemed souls]... were washed (freed from sin), you were sanctified (restored),
you were justified (made right with God again) [through JESUS and with the [gift
of the indwelling Holy] Spirit of our God...” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV). “.... [Redeemed souls,
therefore, keep] ...holy and clean, washed
by the cleansing [power]...of God’s Word ...” (Ephesians 5:26 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Who
is the word? God is the word. Is god spirit? yes. Would the word be spirit too? Yes. What will the word do to the information, stored
in the hearts(minds) of the redeemed soul, and put there by the sinful nature? The word will clean and wash the heart in order to renew the
information and transform behavior. “…the Word was
God (speaking through
Jesus)… (John 1:1-4 NASB). “…THE WORDS ...they ARE SPIRIT…” (John
6:63 KJV). “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The
[word] ...is perfect (matures, develops, grows, etc.), restoring
the soul; The [WORD]... is sure, making
wise the simple. The [WORD is] ... right, rejoicing the heart; The [WORD]... is pure, enlightening
the
eyes. The
[WORD]... is clean, enduring forever;
The [WORD is]... true; they are
righteous altogether. [The Word is]... more
desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them You [redeemed souls are]... warned. In keeping them there is great reward …”
(Psalm 19:7-11 NASB). “...[Redeemed
souls]... are clean through the WORD
which I (Jesus) have spoken unto [them]...”
(John 15:1-10 KJV). WHAT
HAPPENS TO REDEEMED SOULS WHO CONTINUED TO FOLLOW THE INFORMATION(WORDS),
STORED IN THEIR HEARTS(MINDS), BY THE SINFUL FLESH? THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ACT LIKE SLAVES TO THE SINFUL NATURE, BECAUSE
THEY OBEY THE INFORMATION, STORED IN THEIR HEARTS(MINDS), BY THAT NATURE AND
DON’T “CHOOSE” TO RENEW IT. THEY WON’T TRANSFORM INTO THE IMAGE OF JESUS EITHER. “….you [will
become] ... slaves of the one
[whom words]... you obey (follow)…”
(Romans 6:16 NIV). “... discipline
[your] ... body and make it [your]... slave...” (1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB).
“…If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray and
seek My face, and TURN FROM their
wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DELIVERED FROM EVIL CRAVINGS, APPETITES,
AND DESIRES
9.
HOW WILL THE REDEEMED SOUL ENJOY THEIR FREEDOM FROM
THE SINFUL NATURE? BY RENEWING THEIR MINDS(HEARTS).
“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….”
(Romans 12:2 KJV). WHAT IS A GOOD PRACTICE THAT CAN
ENCOURAGE THE REDEEMED SOUL TO RENEW THEIR MINDS(HEARTS)? FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER REDEEMED SOULS.
“...And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but
encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing
near...” (Hebrews 10:25 NLT). “... Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much
the more, as ye see the day approaching...” (Hebrews
10:25 KJV). DOES THE REDEEMED SOUL TRUST AND DEPEND UPON ANOTHER
PERSON TO HELP THEM LIVE AND WALK IN FREEDOM FROM SIN OR DO THEY CHOOSE TO
TRUST AND DEPEND UPON GOD TO EMPOWER THEM? THEY TRUST AND DEPEND UPON GOD
TO EMPOWER THEM. “…God ...does the work IN AND THROUGH all of us who are his…
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10.
WHEN
THE REDEEMED SOUL SPENDS TIME OR ABIDES WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER AND BIBLE
STUDY, WILL GOD FILL HIS OR HER HEART(MIND) WITH NEW INFORMATION? YES. “…abide
in me, and I in you…”
(John 15:4 KJV). GOD IS, “.. A Light of
revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB). “...that they might know [have intimate, revelation
knowledge of] thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ...” (John 17:3 KJV). WHO
IS A NEW CREATION? THE REDEEMED SOULS WHO HAVE A NEW
IDENTITY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. “…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ,
he (she) is a
NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...For in him we live, and
move, and have our being (identity); as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his
offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV). WILL
RENEWING THE MIND(HEART) OF THE REDEEMED SOUL BE FORCED UPON THEM, OR WILL IT
HAPPEN BY MAGIC, OR SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE SAVED, OR WILL IT HAPPEN BY THE
WILLFUL AND VOLUNTARY CHOICE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON? IT IS A CHOICE TO RENEW “YOUR”
MIND(HEART). “…Be transformed
by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).
“…be
conformed to
the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…the will
of God (his heart’s desire, his choice, what he wants, etc.), [is]…your SANCTIFICATION
…” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NASB). “ ... in the PROCESS of TIME “IT”
CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1.
WHAT IS THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DICTATORSHIP OF THE EVIL ONE, THROUGH THE SINFUL NATURE
AND THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT? THE DICTATORSHIP OF THE EVIL ONE, THROUGH THE SINFUL FLESH
“FORCES” YOU TO SIN. The lordship of Jesus Christ, through the indwelling
spirit allows you to “choose” righteousness. “….you [will
become] ... slaves of the one
[whom]... you..[willfully choose to obey]... (follow)…” (Romans 6:16 NIV). “... [CHOOSE to]...discipline
[your] ... body and make it [your]... slave...” (1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB).
“…If My people which are called by My name shall...[choose to]... humble themselves,
and pray
and seek My face, and TURN FROM their
wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). “…Choose you (willfully and freely) this day whom ye will serve….”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV).
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
Can the redeemed soul live and walk in
the freedom from the sinful nature apart from the indwelling holy spirit? no. why or why not? Apart from
jesus, the indwelling spirit, they could do “nothing” holy or truly righteous.
“…The ...[body of]...flesh profiteth nothing…”
(John 6:63 KJV). “…Human effort (through the body of flesh) accomplishes nothing….”
(John 6:63 NLT). “…If I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor (body of flesh effort only), and if I give my body to be
burned (body of flesh effort only), but have not
love (God is LOVE and the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT), IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING…” (1
Corinthians 13:2-3 ASV)."… if the
salt has become tasteless … It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown
out…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).“…The sinful
nature is always hostile
to God (even during “acts” of ethical gestures) . …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “..[The sinful nature]... never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.…” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “...those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can
never please God…” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “….Apart
from Me (Jesus, the Word, the indwelling Spirit), you can do nothing(especially
holy or truly righteous)…” (John 15:5
NIV). “…I can do all things through
Christ which
strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “… God … work[s] … in … [HIS people] … what
is pleasing to him [to him]…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father... [that DWELLS within them]… he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). HOW CAN THE REDEEMED SOUL HAVE “OVERWHELMING VICTORY” IN
THEIR HEARTS(MINDS) OVER THE SINFUL NATURE? BY TRUSTING
AND DEPENDING UPON THE DELIVERING “POWER” OF GOD’S WORD AND THE EMPOWERMENT OF
HIS INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT. “...In the world ye shall
have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world...” (John 16:33 KJV). “... Here
on earth you will have many trials and
sorrows. But take heart, because I
have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT).
“...Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27
KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV). “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). “…I can do
all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…
God … work[s] … in … [HIS people] … what
is pleasing to him [to him]…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father... [that DWELLS within them]… he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
IN ORDER TO GROW SPIRITUALLY AND ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4.
IN ORDER FOR THE
REDEEMED SOUL TO LIVE AND WALK IN FREEDOM FROM THE SINFUL NATURE, WHAT WILL BE
THEIR SOURCE OF SUCCESS? THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SOURCE
OF IT ALL. “... [God’s] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…” (1 Corinthians
12:4-11 NLT). THE REDEEMED SOUL TRIES TO “FIX” OR “REPAIR” THE SINFUL NATURE BY
FOLLOWING “HUMAN” RULES AND REGULATIONS TO OVERCOME STRONGHOLDS OF THE FLESH.
WHY WON’T THAT WORK? BECAUSE GOD DIDN’T SEND JESUS TO
“FIX” OR “REPAIR” THE SINFUL NATURE. IT CAN’T BE FIXED OR REPAIRED. HE SENT
JESUS TO TOTALLY DELIVER THE REDEEMED SOUL FROM IT. “... You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following
the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle!
Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These
rules may seem wise because they
require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT). EVEN
WITH “GOOD” HUMAN RULES AND REGULATIONS, WHO SHOULD THE REDEEMED SOUL TRUST AND
DEPEND UPON? GOD, HIS WORD, HIS SPIRIT, ETC. “…Trust in (DEPEND UPON) the Lord
(THE WORD( with all thine heart; and lean not unto (DON’T DEPEND UPON) thine own understanding. In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”
(Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The LORD will
accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “…You are my helper and my savior…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT). “…The steps (OF DELIVERANCE) of a good man
(woman) are ordered (DIRECTED) by the Lord(THE
WORD) …” (Psalms 37:23 KJV).
“… THE LORD(THE WORD) … is Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
IF THE SINFUL NATURE, OF THE REDEEMED SOUL, IS CRUCIFIED
WITH CHRIST, WHAT ABOUT ALL “ITS” CRAVINGS, BAD HABITS, SINFUL PASSIONS AND
DESIRES? THEY ARE “DEAD” TOO. “...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). WHAT
WILL WEAKEN THOSE PASSIONS AND DESIRES FROM THE OLD SINFUL NATURE? RENEWING THE MIND(HEART) BY THE “POWER” OF GOD’S WORD.
“…
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through the WORD of God)….”
(Romans 12:2 KJV). JESUS IS THE WORD. THE WORD IS GOD’S
TRUTH. WHAT WILL THE TRUTH DO FOR THE REDEEMED SOUL? IT
WILL SET THEM FREE FROM 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 (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). “… the Son (Jesus Christ, the indwelling Holy
Spirit. the Word of God)…shall make you FREE...” (John 8:36 KJV). DOES THE REDEEMED
SOUL CHOOSE TO FOLLOW RELIGIOUS RULES AND REGULATIONS OR DO THEY CHOOSE TO
TRUST AND DEPEND UPON GOD’S WORD AND POWER? THEY
CHOOSE TO TRUST AND DEPEND UPON GOD’S WORD AND POWER. “...why do you keep on following
the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle!
Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? ...Such rules are mere human
teachings.... These
rules may seem wise ..But they provide no help in conquering a
person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT). HOW
DOES GOD’S WORD AND POWER HELP THE REDEEMED SOUL CONQUER THE EVIL DESIRES OF
THE OLD SINFUL NATURE? GOD’S WORD SAYS THOSE
EVIL DESIRES ARE NAILED TO THE CROSS TOO. GOD’S INDWELLING SPIRIT EMPOWERS HIS
PEOPLE TO LIVE AND WALK IN FREEDOM FROM THE SINFUL NATURE THAT IS ALREADY
CRUCIFIED. “...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). “..they that are Christ's have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts...”
(Galatians 5:24 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6.
ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORD DOES THE EVIL PASSIONS AND
AFFECTIONS FROM THE OLD SINFUL NATURE HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THE REDEEMED SOUL? NO, THEY DO NOT. “…you are not (no longer) controlled by your sinful nature. …” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “...you have no obligation (anymore) to do what your sinful nature urges you to do…” (Romans
8:1-14 NLT). “... ye ...[are]... FREE
indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV). WHAT WILL GOD’S
INDWELLING POWER DO TO HELP THE REDEEMED SOUL LIVE AND WALK IN FREEDOM? GOD’S INDWELLING SPIRIT WILL EMPOWER THEM WITH “HIS” STRENGTH. He will “…strengthened ... [you] … with might by his Spirit in the
inner man (woman)…”
(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “… [He will
strengthen you]…according to the POWER
that worketh IN [YOU]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “...Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist
the devil, AND
he WILL flee from you...” (James 4:7 KJV). “...RESIST
him (the evil one),
standing firm in the faith ( in your trust in and dependency upon God)...”
(1 Peter 5:9 NIV). “...do not give the devil an opportunity...”
(Ephesians 4:27 NASB). WHERE EXACTLY IS GOD’S SPIRIT? IT
IS WITHIN THE HEART OF THE REDEEMED SOUL. “…God … SENT forth the Spirit of His Son (Jesus, the
Word) “INTO” [Y]OUR… HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given [you] HIS Spirit as PROOF
that … he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1
John 4:13 NLT “…The
Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…Christ
(the Holy Spirit) liveth in [you] …” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “….the Spirit of God dwelleth
in you...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19
KJV). “…God hath said, I will dwell in them...” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7.
WHAT DOES THE INDWELLING SPIRIT “DO” IN THE HEART OF
THE REDEEMED SOUL TO EMPOWER THEM TO LIVE AND WALK IN FREEDOM? HE USES THE “WORKING POWER” “inherent”
in HIS WORD (JESUS) TO STRENGTHEN THEM. “…The …HOLY SPIRIT …is the SOURCE of [empowering the redeemed
soul] …It is …God who does
the work IN and THROUGH...[every redeemed soul]… (1 Corinthians
12:4-11 NLT). “…He helps me (his people)…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…the Father that
dwelleth in [redeemed souls], he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…[redeemed
souls]…have this treasure in [their]…earthen vessel (body)...” (2
Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV). “...[the]... body...[of the redeemed soul]...
is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in [them]...” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NASB). “…The
God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep … work[s] in us what is pleasing
to him, through Jesus Christ…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…The
God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] you with
everything good for doing his will…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “… [God] grant[s]… [the redeemed OR righteous]… to be strengthened
with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…the Father ....doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). JESUS WAS SENT TO
THE REDEEMED HEART IN SEED-LIKE FORM, WHAT DOES A PERSON CHOOSE TO DO IN ORDER
TO HELP THE SEED GROW OR DO THE STRENGTHENING WORK WITHIN THEIR HEARTS(MINDS)? READ, LISTEN, AND APPLY THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH CAUSES THE
SEED TO GROW AND EMPOWER REDEEMED SOULS. “…THE WORDS
... they ARE SPIRIT…”
(John 6:63 KJV). “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). God, the Holy Spirit represents a type of water and refers to himself as
“...spring of living water...”
(Jeremiah 2:13 KJV). The SEED is WATERED by the HOLY SPIRIT,
so it can GROW and produce fruit in the life of the redeemed. “… …The
seed is the WORD
OF GOD …”
(Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). The
bible says, “....I (God, the Holy Spirit)
will pour my
Spirit upon THY SEED...”
(Isaiah 44:3 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8.
IS THere A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AND
RIGHTEOUS BEHAVIOR? YES. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.
One can be done through self-effort and the other is
empowered by the indwelling holy spirit. “…It is
…God [the indwelling Holy Spirit] ... who does the work (of righteousness) IN
and THROUGH all of us who are his… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11
NLT). “…The [indwelling]...HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s
power THROUGH [redeemed souls] … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “...
For it is God
who worketh in you, both to will (to desire to be righteous) and
to do (to actually walk in righteousness) of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…I can do
all things (become righteous) through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “… the God of
peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in [you,
through the indwelling Holy Spirit]… what is pleasing to him, through
Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). WHEN REDEEMED SOULS “STOP”
LISTENING TO GOD AND CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE SINFUL NATURE, ARE THE MOVING
FORWARD OR GOING BACKWARDS? GOING BACKWARDS. “…But my people would not listen to me.
They
kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil
hearts. They
went backward instead of forward”
(Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We
will continue to live as we want to,
stubbornly following our own evil desires”
(JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAYS ARE THE “DISTINCT”
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REDEEMED SOUL OR GOD’S DISCIPLES? YOU WILL KNOW THEM BY THEIR SPIRITUAL FRUIT.
“...when the wheat spouted and formed heads,
then the weeds appeared...Where ... did the weeds come from? .... Do you want
us to go and pull them up?...NO... “...Let both grow together until the harvest...”
(Matthew 13:30 KJV). “...allow both to grow together until the harvest...”
(Matthew 13:30 NASB).“…GROW to maturity…” (2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT). “…until Christ be formed in you…”
(Galatians 4:19 KJV). “…Ye shall know [the redeemed
soul]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…He(she) who ABIDES in Me and I in him (her), he(she) bears much
fruit … ” (John
15:1-11 NASB). "…My
Father is glorified by this, that...[HIS PEOPLE]... bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My
disciples (MY redeemed people)...” (John 15:8 NIV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9.
WHAT WILL THE SINFUL NATURE PREVENT THE REDEEMED SOUL FROM
DOING? LIVING RIGHTEOUS. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
ABOUT MAKING THE DEVIL FLEE? IT SAYS O RESIST THE DEVIL. “…The
sinful nature wants to do evil,
which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants ... …
…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “...do not give the devil an opportunity...” (Ephesians 4:27 NASB).
“...Resist the devil, AND
he WILL flee from you...” (James 4:7 KJV). “...RESIST
him (the evil one)...”
(1 Peter 5:9 NIV).WHY IS FOLLOWING RULES AND REGULATIONS “NOT” THE SAME AS
TRUSTING AND DEPENDING UPON THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT’S EMPOWERMENT? ONE IS DONE THROUGH SELF-EFFORT. THE OTHER IS HAVING FAITH IN
THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST UPON THE CROSS. “...why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle!
Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? ...Such rules are mere human
teachings.... These
rules may seem wise ..But they provide no help in conquering a
person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT). “...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). “..they that are Christ's have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts...”
(Galatians 5:24 KJV)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ONE MORE THING
FOLLOWING RULES AND REGULATIONS, THROUGH SELF-EFFORT
IS NOT DELIVERANCE FROM THE BODY OF FLESH (SINFUL NATURE), ITS CRAVINGS, AND
HABITS.
“...why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t
handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? ...Such rules are mere
human teachings.... These rules may seem wise ..But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT). However,
trusting and depending upon God’s
deliverance through the powerful indwelling
Holy Spirit makes the redeemed soul “free” from the sinful nature and its cravings,
appetites, desires, and habits. “…The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of
what the Spirit wants ...
… …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…so you are not free to carry out your good
intentions. …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…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). The body of
flesh has too many “out of control” cravings, wrong appetites, and forbidden
desires.“...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin (through
the sinful nature)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by
sin(ful
nature)? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). The
sinful nature MAY follow human rules and regulations for a while, but it will NEVER
follow God’s righteous and holy instructions. “…The sinful nature is always hostile to God …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “...[The SINFUL NATURE]... never did obey
God’s (HOLY) laws, and it never will…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…The sinful nature
wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants
...so you are not free to carry out your good
intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT). Following rules and
regulations, through the effort of the sinful nature will make one believe they
CAN control “that” nature. However, following human rules and regulations won’t
deliver them from or help them actually conquer the sinful nature’s “out of
control” cravings, wrong appetites, sinful desires, and perverted hunger. “...These rules may seem wise ..But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires...” (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT). “...so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
… …” (Galatians 5 NLT). There is only
“one way” to be truly “free” from the sinful nature and that’s through the
deliverance of jesus Christ. “... [God, the Holy Spirit] ...has sent me (Jesus) to
proclaim that captives will be released...” (Luke 4:18 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by
[out of control cravings, wrong appetites, sinful desires, etc.)? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). jesus came to
set you totally “FREE” from the sinful nature and its cravings, wrong
appetites, sinful desires, and perverted hungers. “…The
[invisible Holy] ...Spirit … anointed
[empowered JESUS] to preach the gospel to the
poor ... [empowered him] to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives …”
(John 4:16-21 KJV). “... to proclaim that captives will be released...” (Luke
4:18 NLT). “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him…”
(Psalms 37:40 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT). “…You are my helper and my savior…”
(Psalms 40:17 NLT). “…[God is]… Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge…"
(Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…[God is]…Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR
stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…[God is]…Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer…"
(Psalms 18:3 NASB).
No comments:
Post a Comment