i heard a sermon (on TV) awhile back where the preacher said that to be born into Adamic sin is like a spiritual breach birth, in that we were meant to come here spirit, soul/mind and flesh, but instead we come here flesh, soul/mind and spirit ... He stated that in perfection our spirit ruled our soul/mind and body, but in imperfection it's the other way around, for our soul/mind is quick to learn what our bodies desire and become hell bent on fulfilment of warmth, security, food, etc. (the lust of the flesh) ... And that eventually once passed the age of innocence our very souls/minds take on it's own type of corruption seperate from our flesh, from id to ego, even super ego and meglo-mania (the lust of the eye, and the pride of life) ... The devil is busy at every stage of human development! ...The pastor went on to ask the question, "As a Christian are you now operating out of your new positionaly corrected Christ empowered spirit, via your renewed/transformed soul/mind which keeps crucified your old nature fleshly condition? ... Or is your old nature fleshly condition, via your unregenerate soul/mind, still reigning supreme over your spirit? ... The bottom line as the pastor said, is that our souls/minds are the battle ground in which our newly empowered spirit man (by God) and the desires of our old man battle for supremacy in our Christian lives ...The first thing he said was that we saved folk must appreciate that we've been unbreached by the blood of Christ, and that not only did we die, and was resurrected in Him, but that positionally, spiritually, right now, we now sit in heavenly places with Him, making us more than conquerors, with the awesome ability to do all things thru Christ Jesus who is our strength ... The following scriptures chronicle where we are in our spirits, and what we must do, and why, in our souls/minds to overcome our fleshly condition ...Position = Christ empowered elevated spirit ...Eph.2[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:Transition = Soul, mind, intellect, thought life ...Rom.7[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.[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.Rom.8[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.[6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.[7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.Rom.12[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.[16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.Rom.15[6] That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.1Cor.1[10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.2Cor.4[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.2Cor.11[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.Eph.2[3] 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.Eph.4[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;Phil.2[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:Phil.4[4] Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.[5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.[9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.Col.1[21] And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciledCol.2[18] Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,Col.3[12] Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;Tit.1[15] Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.Tit.2[6] Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.Heb.11[15] And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.Jas.1[8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.Jas.4[8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.1Pet.1[13] Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;Condition = Flesh ...Matt.26[41] Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.John.3[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.Rom.3[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;Rom.5 [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:Rom.6[19] I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.Rom.7[5] For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.[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.[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.Rom.8[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.[3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:[4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.[8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.[12] Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.[13] For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.Rom.13[14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.1Cor.1[26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:[29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.2Cor.1[12] For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.2Cor.7[1] Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.2Cor.10[2] But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:2Cor.12[7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.Gal.2[16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.[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.Gal.3[3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?Gal.5[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.[16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.[17] 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.[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,[24] And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.Gal.6[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.Eph.2[3] 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.Phil.3[3] For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.1Pet.2[11] Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;2Pet.2[17] But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.[18] For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.1John.2[16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.--- Operating out of our position (spirit), will sustain continual renewal/transformation in our transition (soul/mind) and keep crucified our condition (flesh) ... Amen ---
