GOD
… Reconciling the world unto God …
The Scripture used throughout this study is quoted from the King James Version. Any explanatory insertions by the author within a Scripture verse are enclosed in brackets [ ]. |
© 1995 by Vincent C. Finnegan
P.O. Box 3098, Latham NY 12110, USA
| Chapter One | Introduction |
| Chapter Two | The Two Adams |
| Chapter Three | Two Natures Compared |
| Chapter Four | The Conflict and the Victory |
INTRODUCTION
God's children have two natures. ("Nature" in this study refers to a set of inborn traits and characteristics, unchangeable attributes by which one is identified.) These two natures come from two different births. In the first birth our nature comes from Adam, and in the second birth from Christ. The qualities inherent in the two different natures are diametrically opposed to one another. The presence of both natures in one person causes great conflict.
Although no two people are identical, all mankind (with the exception of Jesus Christ) is from the same genus or kind which began with the original man, Adam. As descendants of Adam, all inherit his nature. This nature, human nature, is passed on from generation to generation via corruptible seed. It has in it the traits of mankind. There is a wide range of manifested behavior, but all humans, being from Adam, still have the same innate nature. In the Word of God this nature from Adam is called, among other things, the nature of wrath.
When a person believes that Jesus Christ is lord and that God raised him from the dead as stated in Romans 10:9, he receives salvation. This means he is born again, born from above of God's incorruptible seed.1 This incorruptible seed is holy spirit.2 Just as with the first birth, he inherits a nature. The new nature is called in the Word of God the divine nature, and being from God, has in it the traits of God.
All Christians have these two natures. The divine nature from God is all good. The nature from Adam is sinful and evil. The divine nature is called the new man, spirit. The nature from Adam is called the old man, the natural man, flesh. The new nature is so good that it needs no change. The old nature is evil and cannot change.
Ignorance or misunderstanding of these two natures — their origin, characteristics, influence, power — has caused a great deal of confusion, frustration, and defeat for many Christians. Far too many well-intentioned Christians have attempted to change the old nature to the new. This is, in fact, an effort to change the unchangeable, to discipline the unruly, and to reform that which will always be unreformable. Trying to change the old man nature always leads to failure, sin consciousness, and condemnation.
Not understanding the two natures has caused many Christians to give up, and worst of all, blame our loving heavenly Father for their failure. Rather than carrying out the greater works God has ordained for us to do, as stated in John 14:12, and the good works mentioned in Ephesians 2:10, many work at trying to do something God has already accomplished for us in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 5:17:
For the flesh [the old nature] lusteth against the Spirit [the new nature], and the Spirit [the new nature] against the flesh [the old nature]: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
This scripture clearly depicts the internal conflict in each child of God because of the presence of these two natures. It is therefore imperative that we have an understanding of both natures, the con-flict, and most importantly how to be victorious.
Once we as Christians understand these truths, we can grow to manifest the peaceful, joyful, powerful life Christ came to make available.
CHAPTER TWO — THE TWO ADAMS
Two men had the most profound impact on mankind: Adam and Jesus Christ. Adam was the original man. Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son and man's redeemer, is called the "last Adam."
I Corinthians 15:45:
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
The first Adam was made a living soul. The last Adam, Jesus Christ, a quickening or life-making spirit.
Verses 46 and 47:
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
Adam came first and was earthy. Jesus Christ came second and is the lord from heaven.
Verses 48 and 49:
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Every man born is associated or identified with Adam, therefore, earthy. Being born into the world, we bear the image of Adam. Those of us who have confessed Jesus as our lord and believed God raised him from the dead are also born from above and identified with Christ. Being born again, we bear the image of Christ. Verse 49 refers only to Christians. As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall bear the image of the heavenly. The context of these verses specifically refers to when Christ returns. Then we shall bear the image of the heavenly, and no longer the image of the earthy. Until his return, in us we have both: the likeness of the earthy and the likeness of the heavenly.
The next verses show clearly the influence both these men have on mankind.
I Corinthians 15:21 and 22:
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
By man, Adam, came death; by man, Jesus Christ, came also the resurrection of the dead. Their impact is indeed profound and completely contrary to one another. In Adam all die, and in Christ all shall be made alive.
The Image of Adam
To begin to understand the two Adams, our study must start in Genesis with the beginning of the first Adam.
Genesis 2:7:
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
The Lord God formed man's body from the dust of the ground and made man's soul or breath-life. Once man had body and soul, God created spirit in him. The spirit was the crowning accomplishment of all of God's creation in Genesis.
Genesis 1:27:
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
The word "image" means likeness or resemblance. According to John 4:24, the image of God is spirit. The original man, Adam, was a threefold being of body, soul, and spirit because man was created in God's image, spirit, an intimate, loving relationship between God and man could ensue.
God's man, Adam, walked and talked with God and lived in paradise. Adam was given complete dominion over the earth with only one stipulation.
Genesis 2:16 and 17:
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
When God said, "in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die," He literally meant it. God means what He says and says what He means. Genesis 3:1-6 records the serpent's temptation and the willful disobedience of Eve and Adam. They listened to the Devil above God and man fell. When Adam and Eve lost spirit, their behavior immediately changed.
Genesis 3:7 and 8:
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Their behavior went from a loving, intimate fellowship with God to hiding. Why the change? God had said, "in the day ... thou shalt surely die." That which died "the" day was their spirit. When they sinned, the image of God, spirit, left them. The absence of spirit in the Scriptures is referred to as death, spiritual death.
The moment man lost spirit, he became body and soul only, and he took upon himself the sin nature. Spirit nature was gone; sin nature was present. His realm changed from God's realm of the spiritual to man's restricted realm of the natural.
This was the origin of the sin nature, the "old man" nature which is evil, completely contrary to God and which cannot be changed. According to Ephesians 4:22, it is "corrupt according to the deceitful lusts." In the next chapter we will consider its inherent characteristics in more depth.
We should consider another important truth in Genesis before we move ahead in our study. This truth concerns how God designed reproduction so that everything is after its own kind.
Genesis 1:11 and 12:
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his [its] kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his [its] kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his [its] kind: and God saw that it was good.
The English word "genus" is a derivative of the Latin word meaning "kind." This verse teaches everything is after its own genus or kind. Everything in the plant kingdom is after its kind. When one plants a tomato seed, one reaps tomatoes. There is never any exception to this law. You have never seen a tomato plant with a cucumber hanging off it! Everything is after its own kind. The seed for reproduction is contained within each plant.
Genesis 1:21:
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
In the animal kingdom everything is after its kind. Dogs have puppies; cats have kittens. You cannot cross kinds and get a puppy-kitten. The seed for offspring in animals is contained within them.
This law is also true with mankind. As with the plant and animal kingdoms in which everything is after its kind, so it is with man. The seed for offspring in humans is also within them.
Genesis 5:3:
And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth.
Since the spirit was now gone, Adam no longer had the spirit to pass on, but he did have the sin nature. Adam's children were not created in God's image but rather born after Adam's image or kind. Every person born is in Adam's likeness, after his genus. Thus the human race is referred to as mankind. We are all after the kind of Adam.
Acts 17:26 tells us all men are of one blood, the blood of Adam. This makes Adam the head of the human race, the head of all mankind. Every man is after the same kind as Adam with one exception, Jesus Christ.
Leviticus 17:11:
For the life of the flesh is in the blood ....
The soul life of mankind is in the blood. The aspect of the blood which has that soul life is contributed in reproduction by the male seed. Thus the soul life God made in Adam was passed to all mankind in the blood. We are all of Adam, except Jesus Christ because God created the seed for Jesus Christ in Mary.3 So the blood and hence the soul life in Jesus Christ was from God, not Adam. Everyone else has the same soul life as Adam, and is therefore born with sin nature.
This is why everyone is born dead (without spirit) in trespasses and sins.
Ephesians 2:1-3:
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
By nature, just being born, we bear Adam's likeness, inherit sin nature, and are children of wrath. We are born in sin, separated from God.
Therefore, I Corinthians 15:21 and 22 say "by Adam came death" and "in Adam all die." In Adam the spirit died, and the sin nature came alive. Tomatoes inherit that which a tomato seed provides. Puppies inherit that which dog seed provides. Mankind inherits that which Adam's seed provides — sin!
Romans 1-3 show the pathetic, hopeless, helpless state of man as being identified with Adam. Chapter 3:9-19 summarizes mankind, the finished product which is Adam's progeny.
Romans 3:9-19:
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Destruction and misery are in their ways:
And the way of peace have they not known:
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
This is not a very cheerful, positive summary of man's kind. Man needed help! Man's dilemma in being associated with Adam was the reason the second Adam, Jesus Christ, came. He was God's plan for mankind's redemption. God's plan of redemption had to be in alignment with His Word, on legal grounds, and carried out in a just manner. The last Adam, Jesus Christ, was the just way to redeem man.
Adam: The Figure of Christ
Romans 5:6-10 again shows that man's redemption had to be accomplished for him because he was without strength, ungodly, a sinner, and an enemy of God. Obviously, in this ungodly, pathetic, hopeless state, man was and is helpless to help himself. Therefore, God provided help — the ministry of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ, the last Adam.
Romans 5:11:
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement [reconciliation].
Jesus Christ accomplished what sinful men could not — our redemption. In Jesus Christ we received atonement, reconciliation. In Adam we received sin nature, also called the flesh, which is corrupt and corruptible.
Verse 12:
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
By Adam sin entered into the world. "Death" here means spiritual death, the absence of spirit, and because of spiritual death, eventually physical death, too. All men are born in sin, spiritually dead.
Verse 13:
For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible which contain the Law, among other things. Moses lived thousands of years after Adam. Sin began with Adam, so it was in the world long before the Mosaic Law. However, sin was not imputed or recognized as sin until the Law was written. The Law gave man a knowledge of sin. But all the years of ignorance of sin did not eliminate sin and its effects: death. And though the Mosaic Law could reveal the sin nature, it could not rectify it.
Verse 14:
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude [likeness] of Adam's transgression ...
When a child is born he is born with sin, not because he sinned the same way Adam did, but because the child is associated with Adam. The issue is not sinning as Adam did; rather being identified with Adam, every child inherits the sin nature. Its basic charac-teristics are common to all men.
Verse 14:
...who is the figure of him that was to come.
Adam is the "figure," meaning type or pattern, of Jesus Christ. In what way was Adam a pattern for Christ? Certainly not in the way he disobeyed or sinned or brought death. One way he was a pattern is that he originally had pure blood and no sin and so did Jesus Christ. There are other ways he was a type for Christ, but in this context, he is primarily a pattern in the way mankind is identified with him.
The preceding verses show Adam as the head of the human race and his influences on all mankind. All inherit sin and death by being descendants of Adam. Man's association with Adam as the head of the human race gives a clear pattern for the believer's association with Christ as the head of the "spiritual race." Man's identification with Adam parallels the born-again one's identification with Christ. The nature inherited from Adam is unmerited. The nature inherited from Christ is also unmerited. The reality of the sin nature in every man's life has nothing to do with his actions; it is automatically inherited at birth. Likewise, the reality of the new nature, with all its spiritual benefits, has nothing to do with the believer's actions; it is automatically inherited at the new birth.
ADAM: THE FIGURE OF CHRIST
| Adam's image |
Christ's image |
|---|---|
| Head of mankind |
Head of spirit kind |
| One (same) blood |
One (same) spirit |
| Sin and death |
Righteousness and life |
| Condemnation |
Justification |
| Sin abounded |
Grace much more abounded |
| Sin reigned unto death |
Grace reigned unto eternal life
|
| Law of death-dealing sin |
Law of the spirit of life |
The rest of Romans 5 shows the influence both Adams have on mankind. Remember the influences of both are inherited with each birth.
Romans 5:14-21:
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one [Adam] many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
And not as it was by one [Adam] that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one [Adam] to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification.
For if by one man's [Adam] offence death reigned by one [Adam]; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
Therefore as by the offence of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness [righteous acts] of one [Jesus Christ] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
For as by one man's disobedience [Adam] many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one [Jesus Christ] shall many be made righteous.
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Image of Jesus Christ
Through the one man, Jesus Christ, the new nature was made available. This new nature made the Christian free from the old nature.
Romans 8:2:
For the law of the Spirit of life [the new nature] in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death [the old nature].
Adam's wrongdoing ill-effected mankind to a great degree. In comparison, Christ's right doings effected mankind to a "much more" degree. Reread Romans 5:15,17,20, and note the words "much more." Everything Adam lost, Jesus Christ gained back ...and much more. Adam's effect on mankind will come to an end. For the born-again, the effect ends spiritually at the point of the new birth and will be manifested fully when Christ returns. Therefore, Adam's effect is temporal, but Christ's effect is eternal. That is much more, would you not agree? In Christ salvation is available, righteousness, justification, sanctification, seated in the heavenlies, sonship, Christ within, and all of these realities are eternal, never to be lost. That is much more, don't you think? The seven Church Epistles explain the "much more" gained in Christ that was lost in Adam.
The profound impact on mankind of two men, the two Adams, truly explains so much about life. Jesus Christ was indeed the counterpart of Adam. As one of a pair of gloves is to its mate, corresponding, but in reverse, so was Jesus Christ to Adam.
COUNTERPART
| FIRST ADAM | SECOND ADAM |
| Created in the
image of God: spirit |
Born, made in
the likeness of man: body & soul |
| Adam's fall;
placing sense knowledge above God's Word |
Jesus Christ's
stand; always placing God's Word above sense knowledge |
| The sin —
self worship |
The righteous
act — worshipping the one true God |
| Adam committed high treason |
Jesus Christ had absolute loyalty |
| Transferred
authority to Satan |
Regained
authority eternally |
| Man's
consequences: spiritual death |
Man's benefit:
spiritual life |
In doing rightly all that Adam did wrongly, Jesus Christ paid the price for man's redemption.
Jesus Christ's accomplishments were in the midst of extreme adversity, while Adam's wrongdoings were in the ideal circumstances. Adam lived in paradise. Jesus Christ was born into an evil world. In paradise there was no sin; in the world in which Jesus Christ lived, sin abounded. Adam had spirit. Our lord was born without spirit and did not receive it until he began his ministry. Adam had only one other person to influence him, Eve. Jesus Christ had to contend with a world filled with unbelieving people.
Jesus Christ — Man's Substitution
The just recompense for mankind with its sin nature is con-demnation and death. To redeem man, a just price had to be paid. The price paid was in the sacrifice of the perfect man, Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 6:20 and 7:23 tell us we were bought with a price — the just for the unjust, the righteous for the condemned, the perfect man for sinful man, the spiritually alive for the spiritually dead. Jesus Christ was man's substitution for sin.
I Peter 2:24:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
When Jesus Christ was crucified, we were crucified with him (Romans 6:6). When he died, we died with him (Romans 6:2). When he was buried, our old man was buried with him (Romans 6:4). When God raised him from the dead, we were raised with him (Romans 6:4). He was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification (Romans 4:25). When he was raised, we were raised with him. We received the new nature making us redeemed, justified, righteous, and sanctified. In Christ our old man died, and our new man was made alive. When he ascended, we ascended with him. When he was seated at the right hand of God in the heavenlies, we as well were seated with him (Ephesians 2:5 and 6). When he comes back, we will be gathered together with him in glory (I Thessalonians 4:15-17).
CHAPTER THREE — TWO NATURES COMPARED
Now that we have looked at the two Adams and their influence on mankind, we can begin to understand the two natures in the child of God. A good place to begin to develop our understanding of the sin nature is Genesis. The temptation which seduced Adam and Eve to sin, and their behavior after the fall, reflect the sin nature which is now common to all men. Although manifested behavior varies widely, all mankind has the same sin nature with identical characteristics.
Genesis 3:1-5:
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof,
then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
One of the lies was, "Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." The irony of this false promise was they already knew good; therefore, a knowledge of evil would be the only thing "gained." The Devil promised them that which he knew could not happen, "Be as gods" because he himself had tried and failed.4 The original temptation was to exalt self above God: self-assertion, self-exaltation, self-glorification, simply stated, self-worship. Hence, we learn the first and most basic aspect of the sin nature, self-worship. One only has to watch a newborn infant to see every person is born selfish, self-concerned, self-centered, and self-absorbed. Some may be very capable at covering their selfishness, and even at convincing others of how selfless they are, but no cover can change that which is ours by nature. You can put any label you want on a jar of pickles, but inside are still pickles. You can do that which you want on the outside, yet inside remains the sin nature which is selfish.
Genesis 3:6 and 7:
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Verse 6 shows they allowed their senses to rule over the Word of God. They lost the spirit, and their behavior immediately changed. Before the fall, chapter 2 verse 25 tells us they were both naked and were not ashamed. After the fall, the knowledge of being naked was not new, but their attitude towards their nakedness was. They changed from being unashamed to ashamed with a desire to clothe themselves. Their efforts to cover themselves were futile. Later, recorded in verse 21, God had to clothe them. Shame and man's useless attempts to cover himself are also incorporated into this sin nature.
Verses 8-10:
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Before the fall they had no fear and no reason to hide from God. Now with sin they endeavored to hide themselves from God because of fear. This, too, is common to all mankind by nature.
Verses 11 and 12:
And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
Adam shifted the blame for his sin onto the woman and God. This behavior is not removed from mankind. How natural it is for man to blame others for his own sin; and how common it is to blame God for our wrongdoings!
The true ugliness of this sin nature was quickly manifested in Adam's first child, Cain. Cain was not created in the image of God. He was born after his father's kind, with the sin nature. Read Genesis 4 and see how he evidenced this sin nature: pride, envy, jealousy, bitterness, and intense hatred which resulted in murder. He murdered his brother Abel. Afterwards, when confronted by God, he was disrespectful and indignant toward God. He was more self-concerned about his future than he was sorrowful that his brother was dead by his own hands. Some think Cain was an exception to the rest of mankind. The history of the human race does not support this thought, nor does God's Word. Remember what we read in Romans?
Romans 3:12-18:
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Destruction and misery are in their ways:
And the way of peace have they not known:
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
An open sepulcher stinks because of the dead, decaying body within. Mankind's throat, that which comes out of his mouth, stinks because that which is within is dead and rotten. "Their feet are swift to shed blood." How many millions of people have been murdered since Cain first murdered Abel? The sin nature seen in Cain is not the exception; it is typical. Some people just do not understand why so much evil is in the world. People are often shaken by the evil they see. But when we understand the sin nature, we are no longer shocked by the evil manifested in the world. Evil is that which comes naturally to man. What is shocking is that man has not completely destroyed himself. Only by God's loving grace, mercy, and goodness has mankind been able to continue.
There are many places in God's Word where we can see the two natures contrasted with one another. We will now review some of those places.
The Flesh and the Spirit
In John 3, Jesus Christ told Nicodemus the need to be born again.5 He explained in John 3:6:
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
All flesh comes from Adam and has the sin nature. That which is born of the Spirit, referring to God, has the divine nature which is spirit. Flesh and spirit are two distinctly different realities with different origins, natures, and characteristics. Flesh is flesh, spirit is spirit, and they do not overlap. In fact, they are contrary to each other.
John 6:63:
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
The word "quickeneth" means "gives life." The spirit gives life. The flesh profiteth nothing. What a stark reality which the carnal man refutes, even hates, because man revels in his own doings, his own ideas, his own works. Yet, God says the flesh profiteth nothing. Man, with all of his intellectual abilities, academic acclaims, and all the ways in which he has developed himself physically, still has not changed the truth: THE FLESH PROFITETH NOTHING.
Romans 7:18:
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
One night I listened to part of an interview given by a wealthy, successful man of the world. He boasted of the two hundred million dollars he gave away last year, and of all his great accomplishments and dreams. He was convinced that he was doing many good things to better the world in which he lived. He has already designated that after his death all his accumulated wealth be given to charities which will carry on with his current good works. Yet, in this interview he plainly stated he did not believe in God and would rather go to hell than heaven. His logic was that heaven would be perfect, so hell would be a better place for him because he could help to improve it. Talk about the epitome of man's ego: wanting to go to hell so he could better it! God's Word says, "in my flesh dwelleth no good thing." Do you know what no good thing means? No good thing! I pray this man does not realize his wish.
Most men are convinced they can do good things with their flesh. Man revels and glories in himself. To hear the talk — "I created this, and I created that; I can do this, and I can do that," — one would think that God's Word is not true. The reality of life is that man is not able to determine successfully what he will do from one day to the next.6
Remember Jesus Christ said, "I can of mine own self do nothing."7 If he who was perfect could not do anything on his own, what man could be so foolish as to think that he could do something considered to be a good thing on his own? Man can discipline himself, be very religious, hard-working, sincere, emotional, educated, persistent, etc., etc., etc. However, he still cannot cause good to come out of the flesh. The only good to be found is in the spirit.
Romans 8:8:
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
You cannot please God in the flesh. They that worship God must worship Him "in spirit and in truth,"8 not in the flesh. In the flesh dwelleth no good thing; therefore, the flesh profiteth nothing and cannot please God.
The Carnal Mind versus The Spiritual Mind
Romans 8:2:
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
In the context of Romans 8, the word "flesh" and the word "spirit" are used figuratively9 where "flesh" stands for the totality of the old nature, and "spirit" the totality of the new nature.
The "law of the spirit of life" is talking about the law of the new nature and all that goes with it. The "law of sin and death" is the law of the sin nature, or the old nature. "Sin and death" could be translated "death-dealing sin." The law of the spirit of life, the new nature, has made us free from the law of death-dealing sin, the old nature.
Verse 3:
For what the law [the law God gave to Moses] could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh [the old nature], God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
The Mosaic Law could not rectify sin nature which was inherent in the blood. So God sent Jesus Christ, who had flesh and blood like all other men, but whose blood came from the seed God created in Mary, not from Adam. Through his perfect obedience and accomplished work, God was able to make available the new nature and spiritually put to death the old.
Verse 4:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Believers have the choice to walk by the flesh, the old nature, or by the spirit, the new nature.
Verses 5-7:
For they that are after the flesh [old nature] do mind [think about] the things of the flesh [old nature]; but they that are after the Spirit [new nature] the things of the Spirit [new nature].
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind [thoughts] is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
The carnal mind is a mind thinking according to the old nature. The carnal mind is death and enmity against God. To be spiritually minded, after the new nature, is life and peace, or a peaceful life. So if you do not have a peaceful life, guess what!
Verse 8:
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Again we see that it is impossible to please God with the flesh, the old man.
The Natural Man and The Spiritual Man
I Corinthians 2:14:
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The word "natural" is the Greek word psuchikos, meaning soul. Soul man is the man of the flesh only, without spirit. He does not receive the things of the spirit of God. You can tell the soul man about holy spirit, manifestations of the spirit, or any other spiritual matters. He may very well laugh at you, or at least sneer in his mind, because to him they are foolishness.
Not long ago I was teaching in a French-speaking country. I do not speak French; therefore, I had a translator. Each person received his own portable receiver with a headset. In order to understand what I was teaching, those who did not understand English had to have the receiver. Without it they could not hear the translation. To hear me speak in English would have been foolishness to them. In like manner, to those of the flesh not having the spirit, the things of God are foolishness. They simply do not have the receiver which is the gift of holy spirit. On the other hand, those who are born again do have the spirit and can understand the things of God.
I Corinthians 2:12:
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
The Old Man and The New Man
These terms are used only in referring to believers. Once we are born from above, we receive the new nature which is called the new man. In addition we still have the old nature which is called the old man. For those who have not been born again the "old" and "new" terms are not relevant. That which they have is simply called the natural man, or flesh.
Ephesians 4:22-24:
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
The created part of man is spirit. The new man is the holy spirit God created within when we were born again. Colossians also talks of the old and new man.
Colossians 3:9 and 10:
...that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.
The Heart
Jeremiah 17:9:
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
This is a very graphic description of the heart we received via Adam and the old nature. The following tells us about the heart that we received via Christ and the new nature.
Galatians 4:6:
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
The heart of the new nature is a Christ-like heart which knows God as a tender, loving Father.
The Works of The Flesh and The Fruit of The Spirit
Galatians 5:19-23:
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Wow! That is some contrast. When we walk by the old nature, we manifest the works of the flesh. When we walk by the new nature, we manifest the fruit of the spirit. Which do you want to manifest in your life?
The flesh profiteth nothing (John 6:63), in it dwelleth no good thing (Romans 7:18), and it cannot please God (Romans 8:8). It is actually at enmity with God (Romans 8:7). This flesh or sin nature is evil and cannot be changed. Yet, so many Christians spend their lives endeavoring to change the unchangeable, to discipline the unruly, and to reform that which will always be unreformable. So evil is this nature that the only way for God to deal with it was to have it put to death when Christ died.
The divine nature gives us eternal life (John 6:63). In this nature dwelleth THE good thing, Christ (Romans 8:10). And it makes us God's sons, placing us into a tender, loving relationship of "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15). The new nature, ours for eternity, is so good it need not be changed. This new nature gives us the ability to do the greater works that Jesus Christ spoke about in John 14:12, and the good works mentioned in Ephesians 2:10.
John 14:12:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.Ephesians 2:10:
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We began this chapter by looking at Adam's behavioral change after the fall, to see the pattern of the sin nature common to all man. In like manner we could study Jesus Christ, the last Adam, to see the behavior of one who walked by spirit.
Rather than being tricked into self-worship, our lord always worshipped God. No selfishness was to be found in him at all. He lived a totally selfless life. Jesus Christ stood in the presence of God without sin, shame, or condemnation. He always did the will of the Father, and maintained the loving relationship of a son with his Father. He did not hide from God, rather he was ever in His presence, always doing His will. Adam shifted the blame. Jesus Christ was blameless and took upon himself the sins of the whole world. A complete study of the life of our lord would reveal to us how we can walk as Christians with the new nature. A comprehensive study of the Church Epistles will also show us the completeness that is ours with this new nature.
CHAPTER FOUR — THE CONFLICT AND THE VICTORY
With the understanding of the two Adams and of the two natures that are within each child of God, we are ready to study the conflict and victory. We have both of these natures which are contrary one to the other and in constant conflict.
Galatians 5:17:
For the flesh [old nature] lusteth against the Spirit [new nature], and the Spirit [new nature] against the flesh [old nature]: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
There we have the two of them, the spirit and the flesh, and they are antagonistic to each other. The flesh desires to have dominance in our lives, and so does the spirit. The conflict takes place in our minds. The believer's freewill decision determines which one rules. Paul describes the conflict of the two natures in detail in Romans.
Romans 7:14 and 15:
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
The things he did were not really that which he wanted to do. Those things he did want to do, he did not do. He said that which I hate is what I do.
Verse 16:
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
He had this dilemma because he had the two natures. The old nature hindered him from living the new nature. Without an understanding of the two Adams and the two natures, one could read this and think Paul was crazy or had a split personality. Perhaps at times you have thought maybe you were crazy because this same dichotomy was being manifested in your life. Well, Paul may have been writing in the first person, but this is God's revelation for all Christians. We all have the same conflict Paul expressed here.
Have you ever wondered why you can be moving along with the things of God, and seemingly out of nowhere, you get a horrendous thought followed by the same ungodly action which was common to you before you became a Christian? Perhaps you have even condemned yourself thinking "after all this time with God, and I still think and behave like I did before I was saved! When will this end!" Well, guess what? The old man nature does not change, nor does it go away permanently until Christ returns.
The old man nature is really something! It lingers in the shadows of your mind and waits for the opportunity to rear its ugly head and take over your life again. The old man nature, that sin nature, just never changes. It is always the same. When you fail to put on the new nature, the old begins to reign again.
Verse 17:
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Paul so believed all that Christ accomplished for him, he identified himself with the new nature only: "it is no more I that do it." The old man nature is spiritually dead. As Christians our real man, our true identity, is in the new man. Paul knew the problem was the sin nature that still dwelled in him. This is not to say Paul was relinquishing his responsibility for his actions. If any man ever took full responsibility for his life, it was Paul. The verse is stating that he understood that the sin nature was the cause of the problem, and the real man was the Christ within.
Verse 18:
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
The desire to walk entirely by the new man was present with him, but because of the sin nature he could not work out that which was good.
Verse 19:
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
How we can all relate to this truth! Without a knowledge of these matters, no wonder so many live in sin-consciousness and condemnation. With this knowledge, we need not fall into that devilish type of thinking.
Verse 20:
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Once again, we see Paul's identification with the new nature and his understanding of the effects of the old nature. With this understanding, Paul was able to live with himself. So can we. The sin nature, which is evil, is the cause of all the sin in our lives.
Verse 21:
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Why is evil present with him? Because of the sin nature.
Verse 22:
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.
The inward man, the Christ within, the one with whom he was identified, delighted in the law of God.
Verse 23:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
A war is being waged in our minds, the battle of the two natures, and we hold the deciding vote. When we put on God's Word and believe accordingly, we win the battle; and when we do not, we do not win. This is the conflict of our lives. You may not like it, but the reality remains unchanged. You may say, "I don't want to fight." Then do not fight, but the conflict is still there, and you will lose. Would it not be better to learn to enjoy the fight and win?
Verse 24:
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
A number of forms of capital punishment were used at the time Paul lived. The worst form was that which Paul spoke of figuratively when he said, "who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" A dead body would be brought in and put on the floor. Then the condemned prisoner was chained at the hands and feet to the body. The prisoner would stay chained to this dead body until he himself died. Paul used this graphic illustration to explain the old man nature with which he contended. The question was "who shall deliver me?" The answer is found in the next verse.
Verse 25:
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord....
The body of this death (the old nature) is far too big for us to handle on our own. We need God's help! We dare not think for one moment we can be successful in this war without His constant involvement in our lives.
We can manifest deliverance daily as we focus on our God. When Christ returns we will have complete liberty from this dead body. Until such time, we keep our eyes on God through Jesus Christ our Lord and renew our minds to the new man.
Verse 25:
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Without the understanding of the two natures, believers are prone to endless frustration and defeat because they try to change the old into the new. This cannot be done. The old nature does not change. You cannot change the old nature, but you can change your life by putting on the new. If we understand that we have these two side by side in us, then when the old surfaces, we can acknowledge it is the sin nature. Thereby we can avoid the sin- consciousness and condemnation so common to most Christians.
No matter how the war is going in your life, Romans 8:1 is eternally true.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.
Perhaps the following illustration will help you to understand the conflict and how to claim the victory.
There was a kingdom, and in this kingdom was a very evil, wicked king. Everything he did was evil. No good thing was found in him. All his rulings, all his dealings, and everything that he carried out in his kingdom were nothing but evil. Then one day, the old, evil king was dethroned. He no longer had authority to reign. A new king was put in charge. The new king was righteous. All of his actions were right and only perfect. All of his dealings were just, righteous, and good.
However, the old king was still around. The decision was made to put the old king to death. He was judged. He was found guilty. He was condemned to death, but, as of yet, final execution had not taken place. So, he just sort of lingered around in the shadows. As long as the new king was on the throne, everything was great. All of the rulings, all of the dealings with the new king were abundant.
Then one day, the new king left his throne and went out into one of the provinces. As soon as he left the throne, the old king, even though he did not have the authority, ran right back and jumped on the throne and started ruling in the new king's stead. Everybody in the kingdom had already been accustomed to being in subjection to the old king, and everybody was obedient to him. The people never questioned his authority, even though he did not legally have any authority. Because the new king was absent from the throne, the old king began to rule, and then evil again came about. All of the wrong dealings, all of the imperfections, everything else ensued just as before, because the evil king was present.
Then, the new king, once he came back and found out that the old king was on the throne, threw him off and took his own rightful place, which he had the authority to do. The new king took control, and then everything was right. As long as the new king was on the throne, the old king was not. He could have no impact and influence on the kingdom. But, when the new king stepped off of the throne, automatically the old king went right back on.
Likewise is the reigning of our old man and new man nature. As long as the new nature is reigning in our minds (the throne), the old has no influence. But, if we do not allow the new nature to rule or to reign in our minds, then the old nature will reign. Automatically it will take back over, and then we will have problems. The old nature does not have the legal authority to reign because it was defeated in Christ. Since Christ has not yet returned the old nature has not been totally eliminated, and still has its influence.
As long as the new is on the throne, the old has no influence and no impact. Thus to win the conflict, to be victorious, we need to reckon the old dead and the new alive.
Romans 6:5-9:
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his [Christ's] death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Knowing this, that our old man is [was] crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
The old nature is spiritually dead, and the new spiritually alive. To manifest this reality in our lives we must control our minds.
Verses 10 and 11:
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The very first instruction that God gives us in this doctrinal epistle, which is the first of the seven Church Epistles, is to reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin. Because we have this conflict, these two natures in us, our responsibility is to reckon the old dead and the new alive through Jesus Christ our lord. We have to reckon it.
Verses 12-14:
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
For sin shall not have dominion [lordship] over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
You do not allow that old nature, or that old king, to get back on the throne of your mind. You put on the new man, and let it be king on the throne of your mind. The old nature is already spiritually dead in Christ. Yet, even though dead, it will at times try to usurp its authority and to take dominion over our lives. If we allow that to happen we are just miserable. The way not to allow this to happen is to have the new man reign.
Galatians 2:20:
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.
Look at the identification Paul had in his renewed mind. "I am crucified with Christ," is talking about the old nature. "Never-theless I live" refers to the new nature. This was his renewed-mind declaration. The old nature and the things of that nature died. That which lives is Christ. We have to make that change in our minds by putting on the mind of Christ.
Romans 13:14:
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
The way we eliminate the influence of the old sin nature is to put on the new. As long as the mind is filled with the Lord Jesus Christ, the new man is sitting on the throne. The old man has no room to get on the throne; there is no provision for the flesh. When we put the Word of God in our minds, then Christ does reign.
Galatians 5:16:
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit [the new nature], and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh [the old nature].
The word "in" should be translated "by means of." Therefore, the verse would read: "walk by means of the spirit [the new nature], and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh [the old nature]." The key to victory is clearly and simply stated in this one verse. When we walk by the spirit, the new nature, we are not walking by the flesh. To walk by the spirit means to put God's Word in the mind and live accordingly. When we walk by the Word of God, then the flesh will not have any influence in our lives.
Please note carefully that which follows because this miscon-ception of the simple truth is the root of all fleshly religion. This verse does not say: do not fulfill the lust of the flesh, then you can walk by the spirit.
Far too many try to discipline the flesh to become spiritual. You cannot rule the unruly. The flesh cannot be changed. The instruction is to walk by the new, and automatically the old becomes inoperative. To interpret this verse in reverse will get a totally negative result – sin consequences, guilt, condemnation, and failure. Put on the new nature, and the old has no room.
Walking in the newness of life is not a matter of "stop doing this" or "stop doing that." The issue is to walk by means of the spirit. God does not tell us to quit this and quit that. He does tell us that by putting on the new, the old influences will stop. When the lights are turned on, the darkness disappears. Dwell on the darkness, and it only seems to get darker. The right application of this verse is based on positive action.
Colossians 2:20-22:
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the command-ments and doctrines of men?
The commandments and doctrines of men (like touch not, taste not, handle not) are what many do, not understanding the two natures. These man-made regulations are designed to discipline the flesh to become spiritual. Impossible! So many religions are centered on trying to change the flesh, ignoring the simple truth of God's Word: WALK BY THE SPIRIT AND YOU SHALL NOT FULFIL THE LUST OF THE FLESH. The commandments and doctrines of men are useless, although they may give an appearance of being right.
Verse 23:
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
These things appear to have wisdom. They look good. They have a facade of humility, by the neglecting of the body and the other things they try to do to the flesh, but "not in any honour [value] to the satisfying of the flesh" because you cannot change the flesh. All the religions in the world with their rules and regulations cannot change the flesh. These things are what we are not supposed to do. What we are supposed to do is in chapter 3.
Colossians 3:1:
If [Since] ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
We do not want to get all involved in trying to change the unchangeable and discipline that which will not be disciplined. What we want to do is to renew our minds to the Word of God and to seek those things which are above. When we put our minds on the things that are above, the influences of the flesh will have no effect on us. They will not rule.
Verse 2:
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
When we have our affections, our thoughts, on things above, the new man rules. Then our relationship with God is sweet, and we are joyful. The way we put off the old is by putting on the new.
Verse 3:
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
What is dead? The former association with Adam, the old man nature, is dead. Our lives are hid with Christ in God.
Verses 4 and 5:
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupis-cence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
The way that we mortify them is by putting on the new. Fornication, uncleanness, etc. will not stop by our focusing on them. We never rid ourselves of these sins by trying to get rid of them, but rather by putting on the new. A scripture in Ephesians illustrates this truth.
Ephesians 5:18:
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.
We hear people talk about the influence of alcoholism in their lives and how they endeavor to eliminate it. This verse of scripture tells exactly how to eliminate this influence in life; it is also an example of how to eliminate other sins. The way to stop being drunk with wine is to be filled with the spirit. When your mind is filled with spiritual matters it has no room to get drunk. The way to stop sinning is to start doing God’s Word.
Ephesians 4:22-24:
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
The way that you put off the old man is to put on the new man. You do not put off the old so that you can put on the new. One is dealing with the sin, the other is dealing with the light. One is dealing with the negative — "I have to stop doing this, I have to stop doing that, I have to discipline myself to do this." No, no, no! You will be in condemnation a lifetime. The way to be victorious in the conflict is to allow the new man to reign.
Throughout the Church Epistles, God clearly shows us the works of the flesh and, in contrast, the fruit of the spirit. Without this knowledge we would have difficulty knowing when we were walking by the flesh or by the spirit. The Word of God gives the precise standard by which to walk, and cautions us not to compare ourselves to ourselves or others. We definitely do not want to use our opinion or other people's lives as the standard for walking with God.
II Corinthians 10:12:
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing them-selves among themselves, are not wise.
We have studied Galatians 5 previously, but now we will consider the standard given for walking by the spirit. The beginning part of the chapter communicates the error in living by the law. Legalistic living is not the answer for walking by the spirit. The other extreme to religious legalistic living is using our liberty for a license to sin. Neither is right. The focus must be on walking by the spirit (new man) which is done by adhering to the Word of God and walking in love.
Galatians 5:13-21:
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like...
The following is an explanation of the words not commonly understood today. Those definitions are not offered as a compre-hensive work, rather a brief explanation as used here in Galatians. The same English words are used elsewhere in the Scriptures, but may be translated from a different Greek word; therefore, the meanings may vary. To attain an accurate definition for each occurrence, one must check a critical lexicon and concordance.10
Adultery — not in most critical Greek texts, nor in the Aramaic.
Fornication — today's meaning is to have voluntary sexual intercourse between unmarried persons. However, fornication is often used in Scripture regarding spiritual fornication, whoring after other gods. This is most probably its use here because other words in this listing deal with sexual behavior.
Uncleanness — the opposite of pure. Matthew 5:8: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
Lasciviousness — a broad range of unbridled passions including greed, drunkenness, debauchery, as well as sexual lust. Also may include an insolent pride about being free from the restraints of personal conscience or public opinion. No sense of shame.
Idolatry — worship of idols.
Witchcraft — translated sorceries in Revelation 9:21; 18:23.
Variance — quarrel, strive, contentions, word wrangling, disputation.
Emulations — jealous rivalry which makes war upon the good it sees in another, thus troubling that good and/or diminishing it.
Wrath — an outburst of anger.
Strife — represents a motive of self-interest, mercenary interest. Canvassing which causes faction. To arouse the interest, desire, or curiosity in others which causes division. This Greek word is used of those electioneering for office.
Seditions — standing apart, dissention, schism.
Heresies — one's opinion contrary to the truth, leading to a communication of these opinions causing others to choose sides.
Envyings — jealousy, pain felt, and malicious behavior conceived at the sight of excellence or happiness in others.
Revellings — riotous conduct, festivities in honor of several gods, especially Bacchus, the god of wine; drinking parties.
To acknowledge these things as the works or acts of the old nature is very important. The deception we often face is thinking the cause of these acts are due to others' influences, circumstances, or situations. Regardless of how right we may think we are, if we allow strife, seditions, heresies, etc. in our lives, we are walking by the flesh.
The fruit of walking by the new nature is then listed.
Galatians 5:22 and 23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
These things are manifested in our lives as we walk by the spirit. This gives us a brief measuring to determine how we are walking. A more comprehensive study of the Church Epistles will bring even more clarity.
Romans 8 provides information to consider at the conclusion of this introductory study of the two natures.
Romans 8:31:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
As we endeavor to walk in the newness of life, by the new nature, we always want to remember our God is present with us to help. Indeed, we need His help. We certainly do not want to try to walk on our own. We can be confident as we ask for His help it will be there.
Verses 32-35:
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
The conflict we face is very challenging, but it is not ours to do on our own. Earlier we read about the Apostle Paul and his description of the struggle. Remember, he was a man that walked and talked with God. He had a very personal, intimate relationship with God and manifested great power in his life. Likewise can we. Paul's life was not without challenges. Neither is ours, but nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. We need not be burdened down with sin-consciousness, guilt, and condemnation. Our God never views us this way. Sure, we will fall short at times in this renewed mind walk. Just as Paul did, we should quickly ask God for forgiveness and His help, and get right back to walking by the new nature. Self-evaluation, doubt, condemnation, etc. are a waste of time. Just get back up and walk by the new nature.
Verses 36-39:
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We are more than conquerors. Let us reckon it so.
Footnotes:
1 I Peter 1:23
2 Acts 2:38
3 Luke 1:26-38
4 Ezekiel 28:12-21
5 The term "born again" should have been translated "born from above" and by the figure of speech metonymy means "born of God".
6 James 4:13-16
7 John 5:30
8 John 4:24
9 The figure of speech is called synecdoche.
10 Critical Lexicon and Concordance by Dr. E.W. Bullinger is a good, easy-to-work reference.
Source: http://www.bibelcenter.de · E-Mail: editor@bibelcenter.de
Last changed: 01.01.1970