Emotions, Senses, Body, and Sin
Part V of V
Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author
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What Do They Have in Comon?
This part 4 of the study called "Freedom". "Freedom", "Deliverance", and "The Flesh" are the first 3 parts.
What you should know by now is as follows:
- From the study,"Life Starts Here" you should understand that when you are saved you are not of the church or Body of Christ. Both require revelations and growth.
The church as the world sees it, is a building where people gather. As God set it up, the church is - those to whom God has revealed who Jesus is as the true Son of God, and then as the Christ.
Jesus first reveals Himself to us, and we must choose Him or the world.
Then, God reveals who Jesus is, and we become part of the church and grow into the Body of Christ (Matthew 16:15-18).
- In the studies "Freedom" we learn we are not free until God reveals to us who we are… Who we are, and who we are in Him. When we realize who we were up to the point of becoming a part of the church is not us, but someone else altogether;
we are a new creature, and those memories prior to that are just that memories, as if they were another's and not ours.
Some of who have read all this up to now are asking, "why did you not state in "Freedom" and stated above "those memories prior to that are just that memories, as if they were another's and not ours"?"
Because, hopefully you got it without my having to point it out. And, by now hopefully you already knew this; but if not, you do now.
You know you are a new creature when you can look upon memories of your past as if they are memories of someone else. And, you can look and see when the change took place…a point where new memories began and that is you, and the old are not.
- From "Deliverance" you should have learned that we are truly delivered only when we are the new creature, and that this is when life truly starts.
- And, from the "Flesh" you should have learned that a lot of the flesh, that was a problem before, is not for the new creature. No, you are not perfect. Yes, there are problems; but there are not even close to as many as before, and they are not as big. Most are minor changes that will come in time.
Now it is time to get more specific about the flesh and about emotions and sin.
We are a soul, mind, will and emotions. We have a body, and God has loaned us His Spirit.
Why do I say loan and not given us His Spirit?
Because, until we leave this life for the next, we have the free will to reject any and all of God including and especially His Spirit.
Think of the body as nothing more than a car carrying you from one place to another; except this car (body) has sensors as well. These sensors tell you things outside of the car what you need to know. Smell, touch, hear, see, taste, are the five senses of your body. They are to aid you and nothing more. But, for some they are a problem as is the body.
Then who you are in the car is your soul (mind, will and emotions). The mind is where all decisions are made. But, the actual will to carry out the decision of the mind comes from our will. And every decision is based on data from the brain of the body, data from the Spirit, and your emotions.
If you are in a negative emotional state, then your decision-making will not be of Grace but more of the law.
Example:
Someone just lost his or her child due to murder.
Their emotional state may be one of revenge and from this their decision will be anything from wanting justice (based on the world justice system) to implementing revenge for the death.
If your emotions are not under control and they are of the negative type (mostly un-forgiveness) and un-forgiveness comes from hate, anger, jealousy, envy, strife, offense, etc); then you will act as of the law.
However, if your emotions are under control and you do forgive; then you are acting out of selfless love and of Grace.
That is why we are told: fear the one who can separate the Soul and Spirit more than the one who can kill the body.
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.
Matthew 10
28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 16
25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26. 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?
In the first 6 verses of Galatians 5 we read that the Law is not the way of Grace or Grace of the Law. This does not mean that Christ did away with the Law. The Law is and will always be as long as this earth exists. But, if you are of the Law, you are not of Grace.
If you are legalistic, then you are of the Law and not of Grace.
In the Law you are given 10 comandments, but under Grace you are given only two.
Matthew 22
36. Master, which is the great comandment in the law?
37. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38. This is the first and great comandment.
39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40. On these two comandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 15
3. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the comandment of God by your tradition?
6. And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the comandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
This is truer today than it was 2000 years ago. Many by tradition attend church, but are not of the church.
Many know of God, but do not know God.
If you have read very many studies at godsgifttoyou.com, then the following verse may be well known to you.
1 Corinthians 1
11. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
But the idea of the above verses is best explained by updating them to, today.
1 Corinthians 1
11. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Methodist; and I of Catholic; and I of enter the name of your church; and I of Christ.
13. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
You see the idea is that Satan started 2000 years ago trying to divide us any and every way he could.
Matthew 12
25. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
Satan controls only that which we allow him. The problem is we have bought into some of his lies. Over the past 2000 years he has sown enough lies that now there is one for each of us.
Example(s):
- There is no Satan, no devil or demons. Satan knows if we believe in him, we also believe in God.
- Faith, healing, the Spirit itself was meant for the first century church and ended then.
- Some are predestined to make it and some are not. Yes, there is predestination, two types, the physical and the spiritual. The physical is where God looked forward and saw who would and would not make it. The spiritual is where God had plans and needed certain ones of us to carry them out. Case in point Mary mother of Jesus.
God sowed His word into the earth, into mankind for thousands of year so one could have enough faith to agree with Him and bring Jesus into the earth.
But, first the word had to be sown, and then one had to be found.
Luke 1
37. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
38. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
So, did God before creation look at one (Mary) and say ok you will go into the earth at this point and agree with me?
No, of course not; otherwise Mary would have been much earlier than she was.
But, God did predestine that one would agree, and if it had not been Mary it would have been another.
Most, who use predestination as God chose this group to make it and the other group to fail, are using that rationale to justify their life style? Based on this belief it does not matter what they do, because either they will make it or not…nothing they do can change it. What they miss are three very important facts.
Many people want the choice made for them. There are those who say we have no choice, we can not reject or accept.
All of these people are making Jesus death on the cross in vain.
Moreover, all have a problem and that problem is the same one; they do not want to accept any responsibility for their actions.
And, they do not want to have to change… they are afraid of change.
What is sad is that one of the lies that some have bought is that to be of God means changing a lot and giving things up they like.
This is as far from the truth as you can get.
You have no free will or choice under Satan, and not until God frees you can you have true free will and choices in your life.
Nothing I have given up was told to me by God to give up.
All were given up due to one of the following reasons:
You see, until God frees you, you are not free at all. You follow the same path as the rest - you go to school, get a job, work hard, get in debt, and die.
But, when you are free, you learn there are many other ways to live, and I mean live for the first time in your life. Up until now, you have been existing.
God is like any Father, any good father that is. He only wants what is best for us, and He wants us to have the best.
Remember, what is wise of this world is foolish to God.
It takes us 27-30 years from birth to graduate with a doctorate degree. Then another few years of residency and then the person can start their own practice. For most this would be at about age 33. So, 33 years before you could see a return on your education, and then it takes a lifetime to recoup all that was invested.
However, with God it requires a lot less time, and lots more reward.
A child, that starts school at about five, has already been learning for 5 years on their own.
Our brains never stops storing data, our minds are constantly growing, our bodies stops normal growth at about age 23. I say normal, because after that most growth is in extra weight, which is not normal.
However, if a person at age 18 spent, as Paul did, 8 years with God, they would have a life more rewarding and full than that of the one who starts practicing medicine at age 33.
Notice we call it practicing, not applying, but practicing. Because medicine is not yet an exact medicine or science as the world calls it.
If someone (the younger the better, the older you are the more time it takes) starts asking God to help them hear from Him, then dedicates half the time daily they would spend in school, after 8 years they will know more than someone with 16 years of school. Of course for a part of that time, they will do nothing but sit in a room free of any distractions and that is quiet. They will sit and listen for the voice of God. Then, when they hear a voice, they will ask if Jesus came in the flesh (I John 4:1-3). And, if they hear "no", they will tell Satan to go to Hell. But, if they hear "yes", they will continue to listen, they will learn all things.
John 14
26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Notice that Jesus said in John 14:26 "teach you all things" not teach you all things of God; but, the Holy Ghost will teach you ALL THINGS.
The reason so many can not hear from God is due to emotions, traditions, and the law.
Negative emotions are considered of the flesh. The flesh, as referred to in verses 18-22, is not the body, but that of the world. The flesh is the negative emotions; it is the soul giving into and following after the flesh or the world and its ways.
Galatians 5
1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
7. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8. This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
10. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
11. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
12. I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
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.
14. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil 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.
18. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21. 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.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
If you are operating in the fullness of God's love, you will never be jealous or envy another. You will be happy for them in whatever it is, which otherwise you would have been jealous.
From Love comes, forgiveness, joy, peace, and all the fruit of the Spirit.
But, from hate the opposite of love comes un-forgiveness, jealousy, envy, strife, etc.
If you allow a thought of any of the negative emotions to grow, it will become words and then action.
Example:
Your neighbor gets new car, a Rolls Royce, and you are in debt up to your eyeballs. You cannot even consider a new car of any kind, although yours if falling apart.
So the thought comes: "how is it he can have all he has, and I cannot even get out of debt?".
At this point, you have two choices - either cast that thought down or dwell on it.
If you are more of God than the world you have the choice, and you will cast it down.
However, if you are of the world, you have no choice and you will dwell on it.
After awhile the thought, that appeared as envy, becomes all out jealousy. Moreover, in time, it can become words that would hurt.
Example:
"It is nice you can afford the car, but I am considering my children's future over my personal gratification." This coment is a lie, because of the debt; there is no future for the person's children.
But, the neighbor does not know this; and although the neighbor has taken care of his children's future and still can by the car, the coment will sow a seed of doubt.
And from that seed in time there can be a problem between these two neighbors.
Let's take it a little further and the neighbor responds with, "I have taken care of my children's future and invested over half million dollars in a trust for them".
Now, the neighbor in debt is even more jealous, because the children of this neighbor have more in a trust than he is worth or can ever consider having.
In time, he may act out his jealousy, as he dwells on the coments, and the jealousy grows to the point that he may do something to the neighbor or his car.
As you can see from one thought that was not cast down, a big problem can come.
Romans 1
21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Now what you need to do is always be aware of your thoughts and cast down all that do not line up with God.
2 Corinthians 10
3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
As sin is a perversion, so are the flesh and negative emotions.
God did not create negative emotions; they are a byproduct of sin and the flesh.
The flesh is a byproduct of sin, as is death, Hell, and the grave.
If you do not understand that not doing what I have stated will bring your downfall here and in the life to come; then, for your family sake, consider it, and what do you have to lose?
If I am wrong, you will learn it fast enough.
However, if I am right, what you have to lose is everything, and gain is nothing.
How foolish it is that mankind will invest 10's of 1000's of dollars and decades to get a piece of paper to do a job that still will require years to develop and even more years to pay for. And, when it is all over what is there to show for it, but some things that in 100 years will be nothing or less.
On the other hand. for a few months investment of 60 minutes a day the return can be freedom, choices, life, living life not existing, and life eternal.
How unwise is it for anyone not to truly seek the truth.
What seems wise at age 5 seems foolish at age 15, and what seems wise at age 15 seems foolish at age 25, and so on. So if what is wise at age, 5, 15, 25, etc is not wise, then how is anything wise at all. IS not wisdom consistent, and when it is not, is it not foolish.
The wisdom of God is wise at age 1, 21, or 101.
Mark 10
28. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30. But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
No, you do not have to give anything up, it is not even about giving things up or sacrificing. It is about realizing what matters and what is of importance, and finally having a handle on our priorities.
Which is more important, a newborn child or your worldly wealth?
If you ask a rich man with a sick child, he will answer the child.
If you ask a poor man, he will answer the wealth.
But, ask a wise man, one with God's wisdom, he knows the correct answer.
2-26-04 H.O.M.E.