Father, may your Spirit lead us in all truth, teaching us the ways of your Kingdom and empowering us to live accordingly, even to the overcoming of the carnal mind and nature. Amen.
What I’m about to write is very helpful to our growing further in Messiah and being super-conquerors in spirit, even kings that are destined to reign under our Master the King of kings. I recommend taking some time first to offer up the King of glory some thanksgiving and praise, and then ask Father in his name to give you eyes to see and ears to hear, what it is that the Spirit is saying to us in these days in regard to what you are about to read, and in every other area as well for your life. What is to be discussed here is something that the adversaries absolutely do not want us knowing and understanding and then believing and acting on by faith in the Word. On top of that, the carnal nature is sure to hate and pull at least one of its two primary tricks to avoid light (exposure). So, getting ahead by calming, praising, and focusing your mind and will on the Spirit and Word. Other than that, you’re going to have to be willing to deny self, take up your own cross, and follow Y’shua the Messiah, or you’ll certainly not make it through the hindrances to the victory to even see this mystery fully and begin to act in victory by faith.
My King, “You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You created all things, and for Your will they are and were created.” May you be exalted and your enemies made a footstool for your feet!
If you have legitimately experienced the conception by the Holy Spirit (John 3), you are a new creation and have begun to enter into the Kingdom of heaven, which is a thing, not a place. It is comprised of the Most High “God” and all that is loyal to him, whether servants, friends, or sons. Your destiny is to become a son (genderless – for both men and women) with Y’shua being the firstborn of many brethren (Romans
But, there is problem, which you probably have noticed by now. It is called the flesh. Flesh gives birth to flesh and the flesh is the same as before you experienced the being made new by the Spirit. On the outside, you are the same. And though some changes came immediately to influence your thoughts, speech, and actions, you still struggle with carnality in all three, influencing you against the things of the Spirit. The result is that you do that which you hate inwardly and may even at times get upset with yourself after the fact. I’m saying this as, “you,” but please know that I am fully aware it is actually, “we,” who are having this problem. I chose that wording because there is a good reason to make sure you take it personally right now. I am aware and dealing with the problem. The way I’m trying to be a blessing is to make sure you know also. We must first recognize and admit to the problem before we will ever even be able to begin to work on it. And after we start working on it, the road will be long to the finish line. Notice below how Paul starts from the perspective of the man of the flesh and describes this problem he had realized by revelation.
We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a creature of the flesh [carnal, unspiritual], having been sold into slavery under [the control of] sin. [David’s note: this should put in perspective what Paul was really against that some have twisted to be against the Law of “God.” The true Law was never the problem – our flesh and the sin inhabiting it is the problem] For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns]. Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it. However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me. [David’s note: Notice that his perspective changes from “I” being man of flesh to “I” being someone outside the flesh looking in] For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.] [David’s note: this is because the carnal man is under the law (of sin and death – not to be confused with the Law of “God” which is spiritual and good for us to head] For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing. Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul]. So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands. For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature]. [Ps. 1:2.] But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) [David’s note: notice, different laws Paul speaks of] at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh]. O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death? O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:14-25 AMP)
First, I mention the issue of “law” briefly only because it is greatly misunderstood as the deceiver attempts to mislead us and the old man of the flesh we still struggle with influences us against the true Law of “God." This is because the members of the body are under another law which, here, Paul calls “the law of sin,” while elsewhere he adds to it, “and death.” Other times in his letters he just speaks negatively of “law.” As Peter said, many have twisted Paul’s words in his letters, which Peter said are hard to understand (that was coming from a great apostle of the lamb) to their own destruction. When Paul speaks negatively of “law,” we should know by the full context of all of his inspired letters that he NEVER speaks of the Law of “God” negatively but ALWAYS speaks so of the law of sin and death. Some have interpreted, rather, that the scriptures written by Paul are saying the Law of “God,” given in codified form through Moses to
I only bring this up because it proves what Paul was talking about in the verses above and what this article is about. We have a part of our being currently that is under the law of sin and death and warring against our walking in the Kingdom of heaven according to its Law of Righteousness and Life, by faith, moved by the Spirit.
[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot. (Romans 8:7 AMP)
Notice, Paul considered not submitting to the Law of “God” to be the same as hostility toward Him. And indeed, the rest of the Scriptures call it rebellion as well. Are you in rebellion? Yes! We all have been and are at least in part still so. The purpose of the written code of the Law given is to expose to us the misdeeds of the flesh and show us how sinful we are and how much we are in need of being made new.
But, our carnal mind will tempt us to disregard the letter given that exposes our sinfulness and throw it at least in part into the trash can and walk away. This, by the way, is the first tactic of the carnality within us to rid itself of exposure and due judgment. It is of the darkness and hates the light. If the light is shining, it will try to run first. If running does not work, it resorts to a much more crafty method to escape, hiding.
He came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles which you do unless God is with him. Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the
(John 3:2-21 MKJV)
Y’shua is speaking a mystery hear to Nicodemus, the very mystery I am writing about in this article. He clearly stated that spirit gives birth to spirit. And flesh gives birth to flesh. This is following the Law of “God” as kind always begets kind (see Genesis 1). Cows do not beget sheep and sheep do not beget dogs and dogs do not beget cats. Neither do men of the flesh beget spirits. And neither can “God” who is Spirit beget anything but gods who are spirits. “Woe! Back up! Did he just say what I think he said?!” Yes, I did. You are very observant (smile).
The Jews answered Him, saying, We do not stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy, and because you, being a man, make yourself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your Law, "I said, You are gods?" If He called those gods with whom the Word of God was, and the Scripture cannot be broken, do you say of Him whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, You blaspheme, because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me. But if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works so that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him. (John 10:33-38 MKJV)
Y’shua was giving clues to these religious men in on the portion of the Law that regulates kind begetting kind. One cannot very well be the child of the Father in heaven and not be what he is, in his likeness and image. They understood the first part, that if you are a son of the Father, you are like the Father in all respects. But, that is where they stumbled. Dogs act like dogs and cats act like cats. So also did Y'shua the Son act just like his Father in heaven. He pointed this out and was saying, if you can't get past your religious programming and believe my words, at least look at the deeds I do of my Father and know the Father is in me and I in him.
We are being made to be just like our Father in heaven, in his exact image and likeness. This is hard to grasp right now in our stage of development because in the course that leads to our being just like our heavenly Daddy and our firstborn brother, Y’shua, to form the body of Messiah (Hebrew for “anointed one”), is much like the first, or second, or even third trimester in the womb. Looking at us now with honest eyes reveals what still appears to be a hideous monster that does not even closely resemble our Father. However, as we move through the stages in our development, we will become more and more like him, just like the baby in the womb becomes more and more like us, human flesh having begotten human flesh, in its image and likeness. It is clearly stated in the Scriptures that those who overcome with Y’shua will be sitting above all other powers with him, at his throne, ruling over all of creation with him, as we are all under our Father in heaven who is the Most High “God.” After all, there is no reason to have a term like, “The Most High God,” if there is only one of that species/type/likeness/kind.
Just like religious men today have a problem with this concept, so did those who tried to stone Y’shua to death for it, calling his words blasphemy. I hope and pray that none reading this will so easily be bound by traditions and preconceived ideas of men and miss the Truth because of it, and even try to stone those speaking about the Truth (Word – embodied in Y’shua who came in the flesh).
So, here we are on earth, in this earthen vessel (see Genesis 1 – flesh comes from the elements of the earth) and we sure do not look anything like the image and likeness of the kind our Father in heaven is. This is because what you and I see of each other and ourselves right now is much of the old man of the flesh speaking and acting. And it is not submitting to the Law and thus is not speaking and acting righteously. This is ugly and we recognize it in ourselves (hopefully – most important) and others (less important). If you have never acted out in the flesh, losing control for a bit, and then looked back at yourself and saw a hideous monster, then I would wonder if you are human or just tremendously self deluded.
Sure, the carnal man attempts to control himself and hide his true ugliness to all in public, because he does not like the negative consequences to “bad behavior.” But, he’s still there lurking in the shadows and scheming the whole time concerning how to get his way without being completely exposed as the hideous monster he is and punished and/or rejected.
Our kind (of the flesh) is made of the same percentage of water and solid earth elements as the planet we inhabit and are destined to rule righteously over with Y’shua. The first adam (Hebrew word for “man”) was given the commission to “be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.” This works on the macro and micro levels. What I mean is that it works for the whole kind as we all are destined to rule together in righteousness over all of the earth with our King of kings, but it also works for us as individuals.
We must first subdue our own earth (flesh) before we can be accounted ready to rule over all of the earth with our King. It was he who said the faithful steward is given much, because he was faithful with the little he was given to begin with. Some take this to be a sermon on finances of the world, but this is not so. This was Y’shua speaking of Kingdom matters, not worldly matters. Indeed, man cannot serve both “God and mammon.” Y’shua was speaking of what we are given now that is of the Kingdom. And if we are faithful with the little our Master has given us of HIS (not the world’s) wealth, then we will be given much more in the age to come. It is like we are in training camp right now, if it helps you to look at it that way. You are being prepared, if you are willingly being a disciple of Y’shua, and not just one who is satisfied with being “saved,” and then going about your own business rather than being about the Kingdom. You are being prepared for a role you cannot even imagine fully yet.
While we overcome this flesh issue, the old man, the first of “The Two in One,” it is good that our Father in heaven does not give us all of the resources and power we are heirs to and destined to have one day. If we had it now, we’d at least be partially misusing it to further the serpent’s kingdom which the flesh is in bondage to through his seed therein, the sin (carnal) nature. Yes, we may do some true eternal good with it, but more than likely we’d be further corrupted by power too soon before we’re ready. Think about it, do you want your current neighbor (fellow man near you) being over all of creation under only the Father and firstborn Son? Do you trust what he or she would do with it? If not, turn it on yourself and realize that your neighbors would more than likely answer the same about you. You are not ready, and neither am I. But thank our Father in heaven, he is the Potter making us ready, if we are submitting to his hands.
There is books worth that could be said about this subject. But, the main point of this article is to introduce that we are actually in the predicament right now of being two in one. And that is only speaking of our two primary parts. Each of those parts is made of other parts, just as our bodies are made of organ systems, made of organs, made of tissues, made of tissue cells, made of smaller and smaller particles of matter mixed with water (about 75% just like the planet) and air (space around particles – just like the planet). We multi-faceted beings. Much more complex than we can fully understand right now. Which we should see pointing to the awesome greatness of the One who created us so by his super-genius design.
Main part 1: carnal nature infected flesh
Main part 2: spirit man, aka inner man
What is to be the outcome after the new birth from the Spirit? We are to grow up in Messiah, overcome the carnal nature in the flesh, overcome the adversarial spirits around us (devils), and at the end of our training be crowned to rule and reign with our King of kings and Master of masters.
What do we do right now to be on that path to glory? We submit to the working hands of the Potter willingly and let him be Sovereign over our lives, ceasing self rule (which is of the flesh). We then do as Y’shua said if we want to be like him, his disciples being trained in his Way.
And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life shall lose it. And he who loses his life for My sake shall find it. He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a just one in the name of a just one will receive a just one's reward. And whoever shall give to one of these little ones a cup of cold water to drink, only in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, He shall in no way lose his reward.
(Matthew 10:38-42 MKJV)
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him, saying, God be gracious to You, Lord! This shall never be to You. But He turned and said to Peter, Go, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you do not savor the things that are of God, but those that are of men. Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for My sake shall find it. For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He shall reward each one according to his works.
(Matthew 16:21-27 MKJV)
And calling near the crowd with His disciples, He said to them, Whoever will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
(Mark
And He said to all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
(Luke
In this process we will still struggle against the sin in our flesh and at times lose battles, though in the end the war will be one if we do not quit fighting. John wrote in his epistles of two type of men, those who sin and those who do not. He is talking about the two in one, not two different men such as myself and another person. Either that, or he is contradicting himself.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10 MKJV)
Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was revealed that He might take away our sins, and in Him is no sin. Everyone who abides in Him does not sin. Everyone who sins has not seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as that One is righteous. He who practices sin is of the Devil, for the Devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed, that He might undo the works of the Devil. Everyone who has been born of God does not commit sin, because His seed remains in him, and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. (1 John 3:4-9 MKJV)
Of course, John is not contradicting himself any more than the Spirit who inspired his words. This is the mystery: the new man born of the spirit (your inner man that is a new creation already) is not sinning, does not sin, but abides fully in Messiah and walk in the spiritual Law, though this is unseen unless we conform our flesh to the Law. Meanwhile, the man of the flesh still sins. In reality, we are one being, each individual, and because we still sin in the flesh, John could say, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar.” Every “believer” is still sinning in this regard at some level, having not fully overcome the flesh and conformed it to the Law of Righteousness and Life. The good news is that your new spirit is in the Kingdom and will eternally dwell there. The bad news, which is really good news again, is that your flesh will die because it has sinned unto death and the wages of sin is death. Forgiveness does not remove consequences. Yes, there is mercy, and yes, the Judge is patient and longsuffering. But all flesh will be terminated at some time and no flesh will every see the Kingdom or dwell in it.
And so it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul," the last Adam was a life-giving Spirit. But not the spiritual first, but the natural; afterward the spiritual. The first man was out of earth, earthy; the second Man was the Lord from Heaven. Such the earthy man, such also the earthy ones. And such the heavenly Man, such also the heavenly ones. And according as we bore the image of the earthy man, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly
(1 Corinthians 15:45-57 MKJV)
Grace is available to all, but grace is not a license to sin. Regardless of grace, all sinners (all flesh) will be terminated and none will inherit the kingdom. Christians often look at others as “sinners” and themselves as “saints.” In reality, we are still sinners as well and only “saints” in the spirit right now. This is the second tactic of the carnal nature to avoid exposure and judgment; to blend in, to hide. It first tries to run from the Light. If it cannot escape the Light, such as when inhabiting the flesh of one of those destined to be among the elect and chosen of “God,” or just one who is presented with the Law of “God,” such as the Judean Pharisees 2000 years ago, it will hide behind white-washing to appear good on the outside while internally being full of death (dead men’s bones, Y’shua said). Before you say, “Yeah, those stinking Pharisees!” Look at yourself. It is very probable that you at least at some level have done the same thing in your flesh, tried to white-wash it and make it look good to others of religion around you, while inwardly you were not submitting to the King or his Kingdom or his Kingdom Law BY FAITH.
Our duty is not to fix our neighbor. We are to love our neighbor and even pray for our enemies. Our duty is to overcome our enemy, which is the carnal nature within our bodily members and the serpent and his kingdom which seeded that sin nature in our kind all the way back in the Garden of Eden. Let us remember who we are to fight and who we are to make peace with. And let us be more about taking this revelation and looking in the mirror to judge ourselves, rather than passing judgment on those around us.
My hope and prayer is that this introductory article about the two men, new and old, spiritual and carnal, that are at war with each other, will bless you that you may recognize it and know where to turn your sword and what/who to place on that cross you are to be carrying with you daily as you follow Y’shua. I know that this revelation, which is much more extensive than this article has space and time to tell in detail, has greatly aided me in the past several years as it was being unveiled, to get me on the road to overcoming as I now know where the enemy is and where the battles are fought so I can be in the fight and have “a fighting chance.” If I’m not in the fight, I forfeit and lose by default. I pray you will not forfeit but will rise up and be victorious over the enemy within your gates and drive out the evil from among you.
Our Father in heaven, may your will be done and your Kingdom come in this earth even as it is in heaven/spirit. Amen!
Blessings to the assembly of the called out, the elect being formed in Messiah! Even so, come quickly Master Y’shua and bring us to the resurrection when we will be done with this war with the flesh, having put on the incorruptible in full.
Finally, I pray for those who may read this that are beginning or in intermediate levels of the walk of faith with their crosses behind our Master, that you not be discouraged with your current lack of apparent success as you lose battles to the flesh. Stay the course and run the race until the end and you will see the glory of the age to come as you are seated beside Y’shua our Master. Shalom to you and strength in your inner man!
