The Dueling Natures
Written by Bill Burkett
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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.
- Galatians 5:17
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The Power Of Word Knowledge - The revelation of the duel
natures of man represents one of the most dynamic revelations given to
man in the Bible! Here lies a key doctrine to a comprehension of the believer's
dominion over sin! The struggle between the flesh and spirit natures of
man is the most common to human experience. The only place you will find
the facts about the dueling natures and how to bring that conflict to an
end is in Scripture!
SATANIC FORCES HAVE DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM THE DEATH
OF SELF TO THE DEIFICATION OF SELF.
Knowledge of the Word is not an option for those who would
be saved...It is an imperative. Scriptures which speak of the connection
between knowledge of the Word and growth of the spiritual life are many:
Matthew 9:13; 11:29; 12:42; 13:54; 24:32; Mark 6:2; Luke 1:77; 2:52; 7:35;
8:10; 20:21; John 6:45; 7:17; 8:32; 14:17,26; Acts 4:18; 13:1; 15:35; 17:11;
18:25; 28:31; Romans 1:19,21; 2:18; 7:25; 9:23; 10:2; 11:33; 12:2; 15:4;
15:14; 1 Corinthians 1:5,30; 2:12,13; 12:28; 15:34; 2 Corinthians 6:6;
8:7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 1:17-18; 3:4; 4:13; 6:19; Philippians 1:9;
3:8; Colossians 1:9-10,28; 2:3; 3:10;
1 Thessalonians 4:4; 1 Timothy 2:4; 3:2; 4:11; 2 Timothy
1:7,11; 2:2,4; Titus 2:4; Hebrews 8:10; 2 Peter 1:3,5,8; 3:17-18)
Doctrinally, the greatest lack of doctrinal truth in the
church today is the knowledge of what Scripture teaches concerning the
human nature!
Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese warlord, considered to be
the greatest military strategist of all time, wrote: "If you know the enemy
and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles."
CHART No.18 THE TWO NATURES: (1) The first thing
to be established is that the two natures are taught on the authority of
the Scriptures found in the words of Christ and the Apostles. (2) That
these two natures violently oppose each other, war against each other!
(Romans 7:23; Galatians 5:17) SUMMARY: To establish the teaching of the
two natures on Biblical authority; and that they are dueling natures. Study
carefully the references given on this chart and maybe add some of your
own which reveal a dichotomy of the human nature, e.g., John 3:6; 1 Corinthians
7:34;
CHART No.19 - APPETITES: (1) Flesh must be identified
as to it's functions, what it consists of. Flesh expresses itself and functions
through three primary appetites. These are also called sense pleasures;
sense meaning sensual, and pleasure meaning gratification. These two words
identify the gods of this world.
THERE IS A FUSION BETWEEN THE APPETITES OF THE SINFUL
LOWER NATURE AND THE VALUES AND LIFE-STYLE OF THE WORLD SYSTEM.
SUMMARY: Defining the nature and function of the flesh
as being very
distinguishable from the nature of the spirit.
INSIGHTS INTO THE APPETITES
The appetites were created by God and are essential
to natural man (soma; see chart No. 20). The appetites without Christ cannot
function in a pleasing manner to God. The proof of His presence is when
the morally ungoverned appetites come under the control of Christ (through
new birth) and His Word (the moral standards taught in Scripture).
(Romans 13:14) SUMMARY: "Flesh" is constituted of three basic appetites,
and that these appetites in their original state were not sinful, but the
appetites of unregenerate and carnal Christians are still out of control
and given to pleasurefully indulgences which conflict with the moral
commandments.
THE PURPOSES
OF THE FLESH APPETITES:
TO SUSTAIN FLESH LIFE.
THE SEX APPETITE: Is twofold; a. To take away the loneliness
of man through a marriage between husband and wife in a conjugal relationship.
(Genesis 2:18) b. Procreation. To reproduce and multiply the human race.
(Genesis 1:28)
THE HUNGER APPETITE: feelings that signal the body
to take on food for needed energy to sustain the physical life.
THE GREED APPETITE: It was ambition or transcendence
before the depravity of man. After depravity it became greed. Intended
for the improvement of man's life and state. All of these appetites
return to their original created state under the control of the Holy Spirit
and functioning within the limitations set forth in the Word of God.
All moral commandments apply to one or more of these appetites. There is
no sin outside of the appetites of the flesh nature. All sin (all
autonomous acts of rebellion against the moral commandments of God) are
committed through one or more of these three appetites. (Galatians 5:16)
(2) The appetites of the Spirit - The spiritual appetites are distinct
from the appetites of the flesh. Just as these appetites are held in suppression
by the flesh so now when the spiritual man is born the appetites of the
flesh become suppressed by the will of the spiritual mind. (Romans 8:6)
Before the new birth the flesh nature dominates the spirit of man to the
point of man being spiritual dead. After new birth the flesh appetites
(which are contrary to the holy nature) are dominated by the Spirit and
the Word to the point of "death."
THE PURPOSE OF THE SPIRITUAL APPETITES:
TO SUSTAIN SPIRITUAL LIFE.
TRUTH: Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:
and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalms 51:6 Truth
is the supreme quality of the kingdom of God! The HolySpirit, according
to Christ, is THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. (John 14:17; John 15:26; John
15:26) It is absolutely the supreme principle of the Kingdom of God! John
1:14;8:32;14:6;17:17;18:37;1 Corinthians 13:6; 2 Corinthians 6:7;13:8;
Ephesians 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:10,12; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy
2:4; 3:15; 2 John 1:2,4; 3 John 1:3. My relationship to truth is my true
relationship to the Father in Heaven! A love for truth is the first proof
of being born of the Spirit of God. To trifle with truth is the most damning
thing a rational being can do! The rejection of truth transforms normal
people into reprobates; is the basis of all human disorder and unhappiness!
John 3:21; 4:23-24; 8:32,44; 14:6,17;17:17,19; 18:37; 1 Corinthians 5:8;
2 Corinthians 4:2; 11:10; 13:8; Galatians 3:10; 5:7; Ephesians 5:9; 6:14;
2 Thessalonians 2:10,12,13; 1 Timothy 2:4; 3:15; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus
1:1; Hebrews 10:26; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 2:4,27; 2 John 1:2.
WORSHIP: As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so
panteth my soul after thee, O God. Psalms 42:1 The Psalms establishes the
spiritual man's longing (appetite) to worship and wait before God in adoration.
It is a "natural" spiritual desire of those who possess the indwelling
of God's Spirit. The spiritual man must worship! Matthew 4:10; 14:33;
28:17; Luke 24:52; John 4:23-24; 9:31; Romans 1:25; Philippians 3:3; 1
Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 4:10-11; 7:11; 11:16; 14:7; 15:4;
19:4;
PURITY: holiness, perfection, moral excellence. Blessed
are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall
be filled. Matthew 5:6 The desire to be holy given to those who tarry in
His
presence and know Him experimentally. 1 Kings 8:61; 1
Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 37:31; Psalm 119:1-3,6,96; Luke 6:40; Romans 6:17;
2 Corinthians 13:9-11; Ephesians 4:24; 6:6; Philippians 3:12-15; Colossians
3:12; 1 Timothy 2:4; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 11:5; 12:14; 13:20-21; 1 Peter
1:15,22; 2:9; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 5:18; Jude 20.
TRUTH AND LUST ARE AT WAR.
UNRESTRAINED
APPETITES ENSLAVE TRUTH,
AND TRUTH CONSTRAINS THE APPETITES.
Romans 2:8
CHART No.20 - THE DICHOTOMY OF THE FLESH NATURE: Showing
the distinction the Bible makes between sinful flesh nature and the physical
man. There are two Greek words used to describe these two distinct parts
of the physical person; (1) SARX: Refers to the sinful nature of the flesh.
(2) SOMA: A very broad term speaking of the body in many different ways.
For an excellent treatment of this subject see The Quest For Christian
Purity by O. Talmadge Spence, page 93. While SOMA is used in a broad and
generic sense, SARX is used almost exclusively to refer to the sinful nature
and it's rebellion against the governing moral laws of God.
SUMMARY: That there is not only a distinction between
flesh and spirit but a distinction between the sinful flesh nature and
the human body (the temple of the Holy Ghost).
CHART No. 21 WORKS OF THE FLESH: A Word study of the works
of the flesh found in Galatians 5:21-22 leaves no question as to a. the
distinction between FLESH and SPIRIT, b. That these two natures embrace
two different value systems, c. That FLESH has it's affinities (common
interests) in the world while the SPIRIT has it's affinity with the Word!
Something that should be noted carefully in these two verses is the mention
of what we often call "spiritual sins" such as witchcraft and the occult.
God's Word tells us these are works of the "flesh" and not of the spirit.
While the occult is devilish and spiritual in itself, to enter them is
a rebellious act of the flesh nature. This chart gives a concise word study
of each of the "works" of the flesh. SUMMARY: Identity of flesh character.
CHART No.22 - THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: A concise word
study of those terms used in the text to leave us with a clear idea about
what the Holy Spirit produces in us; that the Spirit life producesspiritual
goodness. SUMMARY: The identity of Spirit character.
CHART No.23 - PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER: (1) That the
difference between PERSONALITY and CHARACTER corresponds to the difference
between FLESH and SPIRIT. (2) That personality corresponds to the visible
and showy tendencies of the flesh nature. As new birth transforms our thinking
personality alters or is affected by (faith in) a new way of thinking.
The pursuit of personality is the embellishment of the visible person.
(3) Character corresponds to the SPIRIT life. The pursuit of the spiritual
man is character of the divine kind. Humanistic fundamentalism tends
to emphasize the visible man, the personality; to present a "faith" that
enhances our material life in this world. Personality religion thrives
on the self centered idea of material gain and self esteem; it promotes
personality celebrityism. Apostasy is characterized by a personality oriented
religion. It's focus is on
personalityism and attracts those who confuse personality
with character. (4) Emphasis should be placed on the definition differences
between personality and character. (5) A list of the extensions of personality
(the manifest or visible man) and the qualities of character (the latent
or invisible man) are given here but will be treated in a separate study
later. SUMMARY: That personality, the world system, sin and the flesh nature
have common characteristics and interests while character, the Kingdom
of God, holiness and the Spirit nature are united by common characteristics.
CHART No.24 - BONDAGE AND FREEDOM: This chart study deals
with one of the biggest lies of liberalism! One of the statements they
make that is a dead give away of their doctrinal ignorance is the accusation
that Christians who have convictions and separate themselves from the world
are "in bondage." What they do not understand is that the same Word
that ministers life to the spiritual nature, ministers death to the sinful
nature! (1 Corinthians 2:14-15) What is death to the FLESH is life to the
SPIRIT! What is FREEDOM to the SPIRIT is BONDAGE to the FLESH, e.g.,
stealing is positive to a thief and negative to an honest person. When
the Word tells us that we shall not steal, that is negative to the FLESH
nature of a thief but it is positive to the SPIRIT nature of the Christian!
Moral truth is negative to the rebellious nature of the FLESH! Moral truth
is glorious and rejoices the heart of the SPIRIT nature! (1 Corinthians
13:6) SUMMARY: Refutes the carnal philosophy that equates personal convictions
and moral standards with bondage. (Romans 8:10; 13:14; Galatians 5:24))
Of course the FLESH NATURE is in bondage to the SPIRITUAL NATURE! But this
bondage is not a duress to the physical man (soma), in fact it brings peace.
(Romans 8:6b; Isaiah 26:3)
THE TRUTH OF THE WORD SETS THE
SPIRITUAL MAN
FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF THE SINFUL FLESH
NATURE!
CHART No.25 - HAPPINESS AND HOLINESS: This chart can
be used with charts 23, 26 and 28. Each of the two natures have separate
goals (objectives in life). The goals of the flesh nature are in the world.
The goals of the Spirit nature are in the Kingdom. Happiness, according
to the Greek Hedonists, was to be found in the pleasures of this world.
Jesus taught that His disciples would have tribulation in this world and
that cross bearing was part of true discipleship! Matthew 13:21; John 16:23;
Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:4 On each of these charts you
will note that the word in the left is the opposite value to the word across
from it in the right column. This is called "antithetical." This allows
us to identify quickly the opposing traits to be found in each of the two
natures. SUMMARY: The contrasting goals of the two natures.
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CHART No.26 - THE CROSSING NATURES
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Here is a tremendous fact concerning the two natures that
will give us wisdom in understanding our own behavior. (1) The spiritual
nature bases choice on the
principle of RIGHT AND WRONG. (2) The natural man or
the flesh nature bases choice on the premise of PAIN OR PLEASURE. It avoids
all pain and is attracted to pleasure. (3) Pragmatism (choices based on
producing preferred results) and expedience (choosing what is most advantageous)
are closely related to human behavior and too often related to Christian
doctrine and conduct. (4) Christians must not make the mistake of associating
pain with what is wrong and pleasure as being right. Never make a decision
that considers pain or pleasure in the making of it! SUMMARY: Decisions
are made on the basis of RIGHT AND WRONG ONLY! PAIN AND PLEASURE is too
often the basis of the decisions made by the flesh nature. Pain and pleasure
are incidental where RIGHT AND WRONG is involved! All the martyrs
will tell you someday that pain and even death often accompany right choices!
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CHART No.27 - MASTER REVIEW CHART
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This visual study allows us to see the total scope of the
material we cover in all 11 charts. It has many uses such as reviewing
studies past, previewing the next study or overview of all the material
we cover in this study on the DUELING NATURES. SUMMARY: A panorama study
chart showing the gist of the entire study of DUELING NATURES.
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APPLYING THESE TRUTHS TO THE LIFE
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CHART No.28 - CARNALITY A COALITION (Or the "Coalition Chart"):
These last two charts show us how to apply the knowledge
of the two natures to our daily walk. Carnality is a condition which
results from trying to marry Christ to the weak and beggarly elements of
this world.(Galatians 4:9) It is an effort to bring the two natures into
a coalition arrangement. It is an attempt to achieve salvation without
having to denounce the flesh nature...the futile philosophy that
reconcilingthese feuding natures is a solution. Here is yet another characteristic
of the apostate...who thinks that valid salvation is possible without having
to separate from the world. We call this THE GRAY GOSPEL. Scripture teaches
the death of the sinful nature! (Romans 6-8) These two distinct natures
derive theirstrength from and feed upon two very different sources. A partial
list is included on the chart and can be added to by your study group.
SUMMARY: It is impossible to have vital and valid salvation operating in
a life that claims to be under the Lordship of Christ and the conflicting
moral influences of the world system at the same time. (James 4:4)
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CHART No.29 - THE TWO LAWS OF SPIRITUAL DOMINION:
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(1) You feed the nature you want to live and
(2) starve the nature you want to die!
At this point go to the Master Review
Study Chart:
(1) study the traits of the flesh nature and identify
those things which strengthen the flesh nature and then in Paul's words,
"put off those things."
(2) By reviewing the spiritual man's qualities we learn
what must be
"put on." (Colossians 3:5-10) SUMMARY: Let's get on with
the funeral
so we can have a resurrection jubilee!
End
Bill Burkett
~ "Every one that doeth
righteousness is born of him." - 1 John 2:29 ~
Web site - http://www.ACTSion.com
Copyright © 1996 - Bill Burkett
Box 90, Anderson, MO 64831/ U.S.A.
