The Armor from God

The only defense a Christian has against an attack from Satan or a demon is the armor that God provides. This armor has the ability to quench any attack from Satan or one of his demons. The next section of the Christian life that we are going to discuss is our second enemy; Satan. Although an attack my come from Satan or a demon, the manner and methods of the attack are the same; therefore, the defense is the same.

There are many different opinions about how to defeat an attack when it comes from Satan or a demon. Because many of these methods come from mythology, superstitious awe, and the miss-use of scripture, it can be rather confusing to determine how to defend yourself against an attack. Rather than dealing with mythology, superstitious awe, or the miss-uses of scriptures, I am going to go to the Scriptures and expound on what is written about demons, Satan, and how Christians can defend themselves against an attack.

In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul writes concerning the armor from God. The purpose for this armor is so that a Christian can stand against Satan's fiery darts. "Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand against the methodology of the devil."

Satan cannot touch a Christian, "We intuitively know that all the ones born out from God do not habitually sin, but the one born out from God guards himself, and the evil one does not touch him." 1 John 5:18; therefore, his attack is not physical. In fact, within the instructions on the armor from God in Ephesians, Paul specifically states that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness, (Ephesians 6:12). This is not a physical battle and we are not soldiers in the army of God. This battle rages on within our minds.

Satan designs his methods of attack to sway the way we are thinking so that we begin to do what Satan desires for us to do as though it is our own desire. It is therefore, very important that we begin by properly framing our minds. Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be empowered in the Lord and in the might of his strength." The defense against Satan and demons begins from our position in Christ; Christ’s strength empowers us to be able to defend against Satan’s methods of attack. We do not have authority over Satan. He is a greater creature than we are. Our defense solely rests upon who we are in Christ.

Who is Satan? Satan was once known as Lucifer, the greatest of God's creations. Lucifer, a cherub, ruled over all other spirit beings from earth before the creation of man. It was only after Lucifer's fall that he came to be known as Satan - which means the adversary. You may get more information, and scriptures about who Satan is on my other blog at oldtestamenttruth.blogspot.com.

How we frame our mind directly affects our actions." for those who are (walking) according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh; but the ones (walking) according to the Spirit, (set their minds) on the things of the Spirit. For the mind framed on the flesh is death; but the mind framed on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:5, 6. When we frame our mind on the Spirit, it is impossible for Satan to win an attack, unless we chose to no use the armor from God. Although Satan cannot use our sin nature against us, when we frame our minds on the desire of the flesh, we are easy prey for Satan. The reason for this is how the armor works and what it relates too. Satan designs his methodologies to get us to act independent from God, which ultimately leads us into sin. This was Satan's sin, when he was Lucifer, the anointed Cherub, ruling in the mountain of God. Ezekiel 28:14 "You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I set you on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire." Isaiah 14:12-14 "How you have fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how you are cut down to the ground, who did weaken the nations! For you said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." Lucifer was not content with where God placed Lucifer’s throne. He wanted to be in the third heaven, above the stars of God, so that he could be like God. When we frame our mind on the desires of the flesh, we are already acting independent from God. We have done the hard part of Satan’s work for him.

We are acting independent from God because we are no longer reckoning ourselves to be in Christ. Remember, in Christ we are dead to the sin nature, Romans 6:11. The desires of the sin nature no longer rule over us, Romans 6:18. When we focus our thoughts on the desires of the sin nature, and determine to fulfill them, we are acting as though we are not in Christ, our mind is set against God, and we are not able to please God. We are then open to attack from Satan because we are not in a mindset that will detect an attack from Satan. Remember, we only have a defense against an attack from Satan when we are living from our position in Christ.

Acting independently from God is the main purpose of an attack from Satan; however, he is not always going to suggest that you do something your way, rather than God’s way. He uses other methods to sway you. Bitterness, disappointment, discouragement, an unforgiving spirit, stealing, doubt, pride, idleness, busybody, lying, filthy speech, tattling, and spiritual cowardice are all methods that Satan may use to get you to act independently from God.

In order to apply the proper defense against an attack, we are to clothe ourselves with the whole armor from God, ("Clothe yourself with the full armor from God to be able to stand against the methodologies of the slanderer," Ephesians 6:11) not just with the part that defends against the method Satan is presently using, he can easily switch methods. We are responsible for putting on the armor from God. God has provided us a defense against Satan’s methods; however, if we do not apply it, we will be defeated. The design of each piece of the armor is to defend against specific attacks; therefore, failure to put on the whole armor will leave you vulnerable.

Next, we will go into each piece of armor to understand how it is used.

A Christmas Message - One Expression of Love

Did you know that there was a time when all of mankind walked with God? There was a time where death did not exist, man was innocent, the earth was without thorns and thistles, and peace ruled over all creatures, big and small. How did mankind go from a state of peace to what we see today? Death has become an everyday part of life, which eventually affects everyone, man is corrupt in all his ways and rejects God, the earth is full of thorns, thistles, decay, and even the creatures of the earth kill each other, big and small. What happened to bring about such a change in this once perfect creation? Today we are going to talk about the fall of man, the condition of mankind as a result of the fall, how mankind tends to approach God, and why we need a savior - I know this does not sound like much of a Christmas message; however, Christmas is about the giving of a special gift to mankind, by which mankind could be saved from its corruption. Understanding what happened to mankind will shed light on why the giving of this gift is so important.

In my blog on the Old Testament, I have been writing about creation. In the beginning of Genesis, we find mankind in a state of innocence and peace. Genesis 1:26-31 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creeps upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."

Mankind is in a wonderful garden, with everything needed to sustain life. Within this garden are two special trees, the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The only rule that mankind must live by in this garden is to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Genesis 2:17. The penalty for eating from this one tree was death. Actually, God was a bit more emphatic with His warning, " But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you will not eat from it for in the day you eat from it dying you will die."

When God created Adam, He also created Eve. Eve was formed from the side of Adam to be his helpmeet, Genesis 2:18; 21-24. She was, and still is, man's perfect counterpart. Adam was responsible to pass on the law that God gave him to Eve, and he did; however, Adam added to the law. He added, do not touch, Genesis 3:2, 3. This seems like a harmless addition; however, it could have very well assisted the Serpent in deceiving Eve.

In the fall of mankind, Satan, through the serpent- a very shrewd creature, deceived Eve. He addressed Eve, rather than Adam, and asks a simple question, "Did God say..." Now you may think that because Eve was deceived, surely God would understand; however, it was not Eve's eating of the fruit that brought about the fall of mankind, but rather Adam's. You see, Eve was thoroughly deceived by the serpent and transgressed that law. Adam, on the other hand, was not deceived. 1 Timothy 2:14 "and Adam was not deceived, but the woman being thoroughly deceived was in transgression." Eve transgressed, or broke, the law. Adam sinned. Adam knew full well what he was doing, and chose to disobey God. The result of Adam's sin brought about a change, not only in man, but also in creation. God warned Adam that if he ate from the tree, dying he would die.

Romans 5:12-14 "Wherefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin, the death, and thus unto all men death came, for all have sinned- for until law, sin was in the world, but sin was not counted when there was no law; nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses even upon those who did not sin in the likeness of Adams transgression..."

Adam stood as a representative of all mankind and therefore passed on the result of his sin to all mankind. Now, physical death reigns in the world and is passed on to all generations, even those who did not sin after the likeness of Adam's sin. Unfortunately, physical death is not the only thing that Adam passed on. Adam's sin cause death to come upon all; however, before Adam sinned, he trespassed. (a trespass happens when we determine to fulfill a desire that lacks in character. Trespass is not a sin, rather, it is a result of the determination to commit a sin. James 1:14,15 but every man is solicited by that which lacks in character (tempted)when he is drawn away and baited by his own desire. Then when lust has conceived, it births sin. And when sin is finished, it brings forth death. ) The result of Adam's trespass was spiritual death. (Death is separation, not annihilation. Physical death is the separation of the spirit and soul from the body. Spiritual death is the separation of the spirit with God.) What does all this mean? All mankind has inherited the results of Adam's trespass and sin. Therefore, all of mankind is condemned in Adam. "And not according as through one man's sin, the gift, for on the one hand judgment out from one into condemnation..." Romans 5:16. (Condemned is being in a state of having judgment already passed and awaiting punishment.) Not only does all of mankind face physical death, because mankind is spiritual dead the ability to receive the things of the Spirit is also gone. 1 Corinthians 2:14 " but the soulish man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he does not have the ability to experientially know them because they are spiritually discerned."

Man is in a state of separation from God, no longer having the ability to receive the things of the Spirit, and physically dying. Man also continually rejects God and His ways. Romans 1:19-32 speaks of a time when all men know God and knew the judgment of God. This time was just after the flood, when only a few remained. You would think that after seeing the world flooded because of judgment that you might pay a bit more attention to following God. However, all of mankind rejected God again. It began with not glorifying God. They did not attribute to God all that He was, nor were they thankful. Rather, they became useless in their imaginations and their hearts were darkened. (The heart of a man is the center, where the body, soul, and spirit intersect. This is where the person and determinate will reside.) Mankind continued on this path of rejection until God became, to them, equal with the creatures of the earth and they fulfilled the desires of their sin nature at will, knowing full well that it would bring judgment upon them.

Even though mankind was rejecting God, God still chose one man and gave him and his seed a promise. However, rather than taking God at His word, when it was time for the nation of Israel to receive the promise, they rejected it and asked for law. Exodus 19:8. They wanted a way to show God how righteous they could be. (The Jewish nation is a representation of all of mankind. What they did, would have been done by any of us in their shoes.)

The end result of mankind's actions throughout history resulted in the situation we see today. So much crime, destruction, and hopelessness exist today. All of this is a result of the choices humans have made throughout history and continue to make. Now we live in a world without hope. There is no hope, because there is not one that is able to save mankind. All have fallen short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. No one has lived up to God's opinion of him or her. We have all gone astray. All are condemned and awaiting punishment. We can not even pay for our own sins, much less the sins of the entire world. Mankind needs a savior.

A single expression of God's love changed all of this. Some two thousand years ago, God expressed His love towards the world. God gave us His son. "For God so loved the world that He gave his unique, one of kind son, in order that all the ones believing in him should not perish but have eternal life," John 3:16. The second person of the Godhead came to be found in the likeness of a man and submitted himself to death so that we could be free, Philippians 2:5-8 "Let this frame of mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus, who existing in the outward form of God, did not think to be equal with God a things to be grasped, but emptied Himself, being found in the outward form of a servant, coming to be in the likeness of man and being found in the appearance of man, He humbled Himself, becoming subject unto death, even a cross death." The result of this one expression of love forever changed the lives not only of those who believe.

Born of a virgin, born under the law, rejected by His very own people, becoming the savior of the world. Just as God had told the prophets thousands of years before, God the Son came in the flesh. In the genealogy given in Matthew beginning with Abraham, Christ came out from Mary, a descendant of the king David. Mary, at the time of her pregnancy with Christ, had not known a man. Rather, the Holy Spirit came upon her and she was found with Child. A child that would save the world. Luke 1:26-35 Now in the sixth month ( of Elizabeth's pregnancy with John the Baptist) the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy thing shall be called the Son of God. Jesus was born to a virgin, so the condemnation that was upon mankind did not pass unto Him. For it is through the seed of a male that the condemnation is passed on to the next generation.

Jesus was also born under the law, Luke 2:21-24 And when eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every first-born male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord "), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Jesus was born to fulfill the promise of a savior for the Jewish people. He came to fulfill God's word and rule over them. Luke 1:33 "and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." During Jesus' earthly ministry the Jews came first, even though at times He did give to the Gentiles. Mark 7:26-29 Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And He was saying to her, "Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 28 But she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs." 29 And He said to her, "Because of this answer go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter." Jesus came unto his own, but they rejected Him. John 1:11 "into his own things he came, but his own people did not receive him." However, this time, God used this rejection to bring about salvation for all.

During this time of the year we have set aside a special time to remember the gift that God so graciously gave us; the birth of our Lord. It was this gift that made it possible for us to be spiritual alive. For all who receive him, their spirits are united with God's spirit and they share in a quality of the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthian 2:16 "for who knows that mind of the Lord? The one being knit together with him. For we have a quality of the mind of Christ." Christians are no longer spiritual separated from God. Rather, they are joined with him and share intimately with His Son.

Because of this gift we have a new nature, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore since anyone is in Christ; a new creation, the old things have passed away, all things have become new.

Because of this gift we partake in the Divine nature, 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Because of this gift we are able to live out God's life through ours, 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (godliness is living out God's quality of life.)

Because of this gift we have hope. Therefore, as we take the time this week to remember Christ's birth and the gracious love from God, let us also remember the results of this gift in our lives. Through our own actions, mankind has brought about death and destruction. Through our own action, mankind has fully rejected God. Through one act from God, all of mankind can be saved.

For those of you who are not saved - The celebration of the birth of Christ is so precious because it is through his birth that salvation entered the world. Salvation comes by expressing faith at Christ through the Gospel for salvation. Faith is taking God at His word and is based upon a promise. The promise is, Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose again on the third day according to the Scripture, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4. Believe and you will be saved!

For those of us who are already saved. Let us remind ourselves that through this gift from God, we received salvation. Not a stagnate salvation, but one that is alive. We are not waiting for eternal life so that we may live out God's quality life through ours, we already posses it. Let us work out this salvation that God gave us, by using it in every day of our life.

There was a time when all of mankind walked with God, but through one man's actions we were separated from God. Now there is a time when those who receive Christ are intimately joined with God through Christ, all because of one expression of God's love.

May you all enjoy this Christmas season and especially the gift that God so graciously gave us.

Walking By The Spirit

What does it mean to walk by the Spirit? Romans 8:4 "...in order that the righteousness of the law should be fulfilled in us, those who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

We are not under the Mosaic Law, so we can not use any part of the law to govern our lives. As a matter of fact, we are not under any quality of law when it comes to our approach to or position before God; therefore, fulfilling the law of righteousness cannot be done by living according to the Ten Commandments or any other law we may create. The law of righteousness is fulfilled when we walk by the Spirit.

How we act in our daily lives is directly affect by how we are framing our minds. If we are framing our minds on fulfilling the desires of the flesh, we will not be able to fulfill the law of righteousness because we will produce the works of the flesh, which are contrary to the law of righteousness.

The word for "walk" used in Romans 8:4 is the basic Greek word for walking. It is used in Matthew 4:18 of Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee. In Matthew 9:5 Jesus used this word when asking the scribes when they questioned His healing of a lame man whether it is easier to say, you sins are forgiven you, or stand up and walk. The meaning of the word "walk" goes beyond simply meaning "to walk" to define how a person governs his or her life. In Acts 21:21 "walk" is used for one who follows the Mosaic customs. Or in this case, that the gentiles are not following the customs.

Walking by the Spirit refers to how you are governing your life; what manner of life you live. What is your mind framed on? Are you always seeking to fulfill the desires of your flesh, or do you seek the desires of the Spirit? The desires of the flesh relate to that which is unrighteous: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, religious superstitious awe, enmities, strife, zeal, inner burning anger, disputes, dissensions, heresy, envy, murder, drunkenness, reveling, and such like. The desires of the Spirit relate to what is righteous: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

When we are governing our lives in the customs and manners of the flesh, we are not able to please God. We are not able to please Him because a mind that is framed on the desires of the flesh has set itself against God, Romans 8:7. However, we are no longer of the flesh. "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh, for if we continue to live after the flesh, we are about to die, but if we put to death the practices of the body by the Spirit, we will live. For as many as are lead by the Spirit are the sons of God." Romans 8:12-14.

The Holy Spirit is going to lead us through the desires that relate to our new nature. God does not speak to people today, there is no need for Him to because we have the full revelation. (1 Corinthians 13:8-13. The things we know in part is referring to prophecy. Paul did not possess the entire revelation at the time he wrote to the Corinthians. Scripture was still being written. But now that we have the full revelation the Spiritual gifts that related to prophecy ceased. There were no longer needed. These gift are: prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, healing, word of wisdom, word of knowledge, working of miracles, and discerning of spirits. All of these gifts were use in the giving of the revelation, either to reveal it, or to validate it.) God has provided us with all we need to live godly, we just need to use it. As we take God at His word, and begin to apply it to our lives, the Holy Spirit will begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

"But I say, walk by the Spirit and and you will in no way fulfill the desires of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. For these are contrary to one another in order that you should not do the things you desire. But if you are lead by the Spirit, you are not under any quality of law." Galatians 5:16-18.

We do not need a law anymore. Christians do not have a set of laws that tell them what not to do, like the Mosaic Law. Rather we are lead by the Spirit, through the desires of our new nature, which is not a slave to the sin nature, but rather dead to the sin nature and alive unto God. We are now slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:18.

By setting our minds on things above, Colossians 3:1,2, our actions will begin to line up with who we are in Christ. Remember from Romans chapter eight, how you frame your mind directly affects your actions. So we are lead by the Spirit when our minds are framed on our position in Christ.

In our position in Christ, we have a renewed mind. Romans 12:1,2 "I encourage you, brethren, through the tenders mercies of God, present your bodies as a living holy sacrifice, well-pleasing to God, which is your logical spiritual service. And stop being outwardly conformed to this (legal) age, but be transformed by the renewedness of your mind unto the testing for approval that is the desire will of God for you, the good and well-pleasing, and complete. "

We are to stop being conformed to the legal age and be transformed by our renewed mind. We can know God's desire will for our lives by using what He has already given us. In our position in Christ, we have the ability to receive the things of the Spirit because we share a quality of mind with Christ. "For who has the mind of the Lord, the one being knit together with him? Now we have a quality of the mind of Christ" Since we have a new mind in Christ, we do not have any need for God to lead us by giving us specific instruction. Rather, we can know what God's desirous will is for our lives because of the relationship we now have with God through Christ.

We are lead by the Spirit, not by the letter of the law, so let us walk by the Spirit. Stop using law and start governing your life according to who you are in Christ.

The Law of the Spirit

Since Christians are not under any quality of law, how are Christians supposed to govern their lives? What influences their actions?

Even though we have struggles with our sin nature, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1 "Therefore now there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus." There is no condemnation because we are not under the Law.

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set up free from the law of the sin nature and the death," Romans 8:2

Understanding the word "law": In the English language we use the same word to describe multiple concepts. Law can refer to the rules that govern over people or it can refer to something that happens naturally. The laws of our City, State, or Government control what we are allowed to do in our daily lives. The laws of nature are not laws that control us, but rather things that happen naturally. When we use the word "law" for the laws of nature, the concept of law would fall more under the word "principles". The same difference exists between any law that governs our action before God, and the law of the Spirit. The law of the Spirit is not a set of rules that we live by, rather, it related to our actions when we walk by the Spirit; the natural result of that walk. 

The Christian life is not governed by a set of rules, rather, it is governed by who the Christian has become in Christ.

The law of the Spirit has set us free from the law of the sin nature and death. The Mosaic law could not set us free from the sin nature. "For what the law did not have the natural ability to do, in that it was weak because of the flesh, God send is Own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, He condemned the sin nature in the flesh in order that the righteousness of the law should be fulfilled in us, the ones not walking according to the flesh but walking according to the Spirit," Romans 8:3, 4.

The Mosaic law did not have the ability to overcome the sin nature. It was God's Own Son that condemned the sin nature by coming in the likeness of sinful flesh. Now, because we are in Christ, we are free from the sin nature and can fulfill the law of righteousness.

We can fulfill the law of righteousness because of who we are in Christ. Rather than being slaves to the sin nature, In Christ we have been set free from the sin nature and are presently slaves to righteousness.

However, as Paul stated in Romans 7, the sin nature has not been annihilated. We therefore serve God with our mind, but the law of the sin nature with our flesh.

What does this mean? when we are framing our minds of the things of the Spirit, we are able to fulfill, or live out, the law of Righteousness. However, if we are framing our minds on the desires of the flesh, we will produce the works of the flesh, rather than works of righteousness.

"For those who are according to the flesh, set their reflective thinking on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, set their reflective thinking on the things of the Spirit," Romans 8:5

What you frame your mind upon greatly affects the actions you produce.

The terms "framing your mind" and "reflective thinking" are describing the same concept. How do you perceive yourself? What is your opinion of yourself? Does your opinion of who you are line up with God's opinion of who you are? The Christians life begins in the mind because, as you will see also in the remainder of this chapter, what you are thinking on, affects everything you perform.

"For the carnally framed mind is death, but the Spiritually framed mind is life and peace, because the carnally framed mind is hostile towards God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor is it able to be subject to the law of God" Romans 8:6, 7

A mind that is framed on the desires of the flesh will not be in subjection to the law of God. The law described here goes back to the law of the Spirit, which is fulfilled in us when we walk by the Spirit. When are minds are framed on the desires of the flesh, these desires do not coincide with the law of righteousness. The result is, we constantly struggle with desiring to do what is righteous, but always doing what is wrong. When our mind is framed on the desires of the flesh, we can not keep the law of God.

"So then, they that are in the flesh do not have the ability to please God," Romans 8:8.

Framing your mind on the things of the flesh leads to a life that is not pleasing to God.

"But you are in in the flesh, but in the Spirit, If the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:9

We are not in the flesh, so we should not act like we are in the flesh. Are you saved? Did you believe the gospel for salvation? Christ died for you sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. The "if" in Romans 8:9 does not question whether you have the Spirit of God, but refers to the fact that you have the Spirit. If the Spirit of God dwells in you, then you are not in the flesh, you have been freed from the sin nature. If you are saved, then the Spirit dwells in you. "Done you know that you are the Holy of Holies of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16

Since we are not in the flesh, let us walk by the Spirit.

Framing Your Mind

Framing your mind refers to how you think about yourself. Your hopes, your desires, your opinion of yourself, all relate to how you frame your mind. When your mind is framed a certain way, your thoughts don't go beyond that frame.

For example : When you are setting your mind on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, your frame of mind relates to who you are in Christ. By focusing your thoughts on who you are in Christ, and taking God at His word, you will begin to change your opinion of yourself to line up with God's opinion of you.

Lining up your opinion of yourself with God's opinion of you is very important. How else will you approach God correctly? If God says you are righteous in Christ, but you consider yourself to be a terrible sinner before God. How can you approach Him with confidence?

Not only how you approach God is affected by your frame of mind, but your actions are also affected by how you frame your mind.

In Romans chapter seven, Paul expressed his frustration with the sin nature when he attempted to control it through law. The law was not designed to control the sin nature; rather, it was given to show how sinful our sin nature could become, Romans 7:7-13. Through Paul's experience with trying to control the sin nature by law, and the frustration that followed, Paul came to the conclusion that with the mind he serves the Law of God but with the flesh the law of the sin nature, Romans 7:25.

Although we struggle with the sin nature, we always need to remember who we are in Christ. God has provided a way for us to overcome our sin nature, we just need to use it. However, as we learn, we will mess up. Our mistakes do not affect our position before God, nor do they change His opinion of us. Always remember, in Christ there is no condemnation. (Grace is not a license to sin, so we should not think that we can do anything we want to do. God will not allow us to be condemned with the world. Continuing in sin will bring chastening, Hebrews 12:6. Chastening does not change God's opinion of us, rather it shows His opinion is true. He will not allow us to be condemned with this world. Do not be discouraged by chastening, if we are being chastened it is because we are not framing our mind correctly and therefore we are producing the works of the flesh in our lives. Rather than being discourage, we should listen, obey, and frame our mind on the things above so we will stop doing whatever is causing the chastening. God loves us to much to allow us to continue acting like the devil's kid.)

Roman 8:1 "Now therefore, there is not any condemnation in Christ Jesus." Condemnation is a judgement that has already been passed, but the penalty has not been applied. There is no judgement hanging over anyone who is in Christ.

Because we serve the law of God with our mind, how we frame our mind is going to directly affect whether or not we are serving God or the sin nature.

Side Note: In Romans 8:1 some translations have "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." This phrase was added by a scribe when copying the book of Romans. There is substantial evidence that this phrase should be crossed out. Also when you look at other scripture, this phrase does not line up. Whether or not you are condemned does not depend upon your actions, but rather upon who you are in Christ. In Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation. How you walk, or govern your life, affects whether or not you are fulfilling the righteousness of the principle of the Spirit, Romans 8:4. The scribe that added "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" took it from verse 4.

There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus because in Christ we are free from the law of the sin nature.

Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of the sin nature and the death."

If we still served God with our flesh, we would still be under condemnation. Condemnation came because of Adam's sin, Romans 5:18. However, Christians are no longer in Adam and therefore are no longer condemned. Rather, we are free to walk in newness of life unto God.

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 5

"Then, I find the law, in me to desire to do good, that lacking in character is in me." Romans 7:21

Paul is struggling between two principles within himself. He desires to do that which is good, but the desire to do the things that lack in character is also always present with him .

"For I rejoice in the law of God after the inner man. But I see another, of a different kind, of law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and taking me captive to the law of the sin nature, which is in my members. O wretched man that I am. Who will rescue me out of this body of death?" Romans 7:22-24.

What a situation! Paul desires to do that which is good, but every time he attempts it, the desire to do that which lacks in character overwhelms him. This is what happens every time a Christian attempts to live under the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic law is not bad, it was not designed to control the sin nature; rather, it was designed to show how sinful the sin nature within us can be.

So then, what does a Christian do?

"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord, so then I myself, on the one hand, with the mind serve a quality of law from God, but on the other hand, I serve the law of sin with my flesh." Romans 7:25.

How we serve God begins within our mind. It is no longer a thing of the flesh. Remember what Paul said back in Chapter 6 about how you deal with the sin nature? " Thusly, you reckon yourselves to be dead to the sin nature but alive unto God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:11. It begins with the mind.

How you frame your mind, directly affects your actions. The conflict that Paul has been writing about relates to how you frame your mind. Are you considering yourself to be what God considers you to be? Does your opinion of yourself line up with God's opinion of you?

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 4

The law pertains to the logics, where the flesh pertains to the sin nature. This produces a huge conflict. You know what you should do, but cannot perform it.

Romans 7:15 - 24

For that which I work out, I do not experientially know, for not that which I desire, this I practice, but that which I hate, this I do.

Paul is describing a conflict that happens to all Christians when they try to use law to control the sin nature. The sin nature is energized by that law and uses it to work out its desires, rather than being controlled so the Christian can live unto God.

For that which I (the old nature) work out, I (the new nature) do not experientially know. For not that which I (the new nature) desire, this I (the old nature) practice, but that which I (the new nature) hate, this I (the old nature) do.

But since that which I (the new nature) do not desire, this I (the old nature) practice, I agree that the law is good.

The law is good. By the very act of desiring to live by the law is an acknowledgement that the law is good. However, as you can see, that does not mean you can live by the law.

But now it is no longer I (the new nature) that works this out, but the sin nature that dwells in me.

What a conflict! One that all of us have shared. Desiring to do what is right, but always doing what is wrong.

The problem does not stem from the new nature, but rather from the old nature.

Remember, the new nature is not a slave to the sin nature. Our new nature is a slave to righteousness. Romans 6:18.

Although the sin nature, which is a part of our old nature, is rendered ineffective in Christ, Romans 6:6, it was not annihilated. Law will cause the sin nature to revive because in Christ you are not under any quality of law. Which means, if you are trying to live by law, you are not living from your position in Christ, and therefore, the sin nature is no longer rendered ineffective, but rather, comes alive and puts you back under slavery so that you cannot do the things that you desire to do and do the things that you do not desire.

For I intuitively know that no good dwells in me - that is in my flesh. For the desire is present with me, but working out the good I do not find. For I do not do the good that I desire to do, but that which lacks in character, that I do not desire, this I practice. But since, that which I do not desire , this I do, it is not I that works this out, but the sin nature that dwells in me.

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 3

What did the sin nature separate Paul from? Back in chapter 5 of Romans, Paul wrote about the change in position for those who are in Christ. In chapter 6, Paul discusses how to handle our old nature, which is a result of being in Adam. Now that we are in Christ, we are no longer slaves to the sin nature. The sin nature has been rendered ineffective in our position in Christ, but has not been annihilated, Roman 6:6. Now, in chapter 7, Paul writes about the reaction of the sin nature to law. When law is put on the sin nature, it revives. The sin nature puts you back under slavery. Romans 6:16 " Don't you know that to whom you present yourself servants unto obedience, servants you are whom you obey. Whether the sin nature unto death, or obedience unto righteousness."

Therefore, the death Paul experienced was a separation from his resurrection life. He was no longer living from his position in Christ and yielding his member to righteousness; rather, he was acting as through he was dead to his position in Christ and alive to the sin nature.

Remember, we do not battle the sin nature. Romans 6:11 "Likewise you also count yourself to be dead to the sin nature, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." When we take God at His word, and count ourselves to be dead to the sin nature, but alive unto God, how we govern our lives is guided by the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is guiding us, we will in no way fulfill the desires of the sin nature, Galatians 5:16. However, when we put a law on the sin nature, we are no longer being guided by the Holy Spirit, Who will battle the sin nature for us; rather, we are relying on that law to control the sin nature.

In Romans chapter 7 Paul is explaining what happened when he put a law on the sin nature. Rather than controlling the sin nature, the law energized the sin nature, and through the law, the sin nature deceived Paul and brought him back under its control. This is the death Paul is referring to in verses 9-11. In this frame of mind, using law to control the sin nature and not counting yourself to be death to the sin nature but alive unto God, Paul was in a sense, acting as though he was dead to his position in Christ.

"Wherefore, the law is holy and the commandment is holy and right and good. Therefore, did that which is good become death to me? May it never come to be! But the sin nature, in order that sin should be manifested through the good to me, working out death, in order that, the sin nature should become exceedingly sinful through the commandment. For we intuitively know that he law pertains to the spirit, but I pertaining to the flesh; sold under the sin nature. " Romans 7:12-14.

Next we will discuss what happens when we put ourselves back under the sin nature by trying to control it through law.

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law - part 2

"For when we were in the flesh, the passions belonging to sins, were energized through the law in our members unto the bearing of fruit unto death. But now we have been released from the law, having died in which we were held, so that we serve in newness of spirit, not in oldness of letter."  Romans 7:5, 6.

The works of the sin nature, Galatians 5:19-22, were able to use the law for energy to produce fruit unto death. This is what life was like under the law. Remember, the law was not to make man righteous, but rather to show man's sinfulness.

"What will we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never come to be. But I would not have experientially known the sin nature except through the law. For I would not have intuitively known not to covet, except the law says "do not covet." Romans 7:7

The Mosaic Law was not sinful. It did not produce sin in the lives of those under the law; rather ...

"But the sin nature took opportunity through the commandments, working out in me all coveting. For a part from the law the sin nature is dead." Romans 7:8

Our sin nature reacts to law by using it as an opportunity to produce works unto death. This is because the sin nature is energized by the law rather than subdued by it.

"For I was alive once, a part from law. But the commandment came, the sin nature revived, and  I died.  And I found the commandment, the one unto life, to me unto death. for the sin nature, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it slew me " Romans 7:9-11

Paul is not writing about physical death. He continued to live. Although, it is true that the works of the sin nature end with physical death. Paul is talking about another death here.

Remember, death is separation. What was Paul being separated from by the sin nature reviving?

The Reaction of the Sin Nature to Law

The sin nature’s reaction to law is similar to throwing gasoline on a fire and trying to putting a lid on it. A part from law, the sin nature has no power. “but the sting of death is the sin nature and the power of the sin nature is the law” 1 Corinthians 15:56

Paul deals with this situation in the Seventh Chapter of Romans. Paul begins the seventh chapter with an example of how we have died to the Law.

Romans 7:1 "... or are you ignorant, brethren (for I speak to those who experientially know law) that the law rules over the man for as long as he live?"

We all understand law to some degree, even those of use who have never lived under the Mosaic Law. Paul is not specifically writing to Jew who knew the Mosaic Law; rather, he is addressing anyone who knows a quality of law. There are laws within all countries that cannot be broken. Breaking these laws requires the death penalty. These laws rule over man for his entire life.

Romans 7:2, 3 "for a married woman is bond by the law to a husband for life. However, if the husband dies, she is set free from the law of the husband. Therefore, when the husband lives, if she is married to a different man, she is revealed an adulteress. However, if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress, if she marries a different man."

Paul uses an example from the Mosaic Law; however, many nations have similar laws, so this can be understood by more than just the Jews. Marriage is suppose to be for life. Although, divorce is allowed, neither partner in a marriage is allowed to marry another person. If relations happen with another, other than the spouse, it is considered adultery, which is punishable by death in some nations.

The law of marriage, rules over the couple until one dies.

Romans 7:4 "Wherefore, my brethren, you also have died to the Law through the body of The Christ, to become unto another of a different kind, to the one having raised him out from among dead men, in order that you should bear fruit to God."

Christians are no longer under the Mosaic Law. In their position in Christ, they have died to the Law. This is in a similar way as a woman is free from the law of marriage when her husband dies.

Understanding How the Sin Nature Works

The sin nature resides in the flesh and attacks through our soul, 1 Peter 2:11. “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.” The soul is our emotional part and is swayed by the desires of the flesh. Touching, seeing, feeling, tasting, and hearing are all going to affect our emotions. When your mind is framed on who you are in Christ, it is easier to detect when a desire from your soul is being swayed by the sin nature. You do not want to ignore you emotions, but you should not be controlled by your emotions either. Emotions should always be considered second place to your reasoning.

At this time, your spirit is saved and has the ability to receive the things from the Holy Spirit; however, you soul is not saved. 1 Corinthians 2:16 “for who knows the mind of the Lord, the one having been knit together with him? And we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:9 “…receiving the end of our faith; the salvation of our souls.”Because of this, you need to filter your emotions through your mind. The soul is still in a state of being separated from God – remember, death is separation, when Adam died, all three parts were separated from God; body, soul, and spirit. Because the soul is still in a state of death, it can be manipulate by the sin nature. As a matter of fact, it is the only way the sin nature can affect your thinking. Once your thinking has been changed to desire the things of the flesh, you will begin to yield your members to fulfill those desires.
Now that you know how the sin nature works, it may be tempting to react to a thought that comes from the sin nature by putting a law on it. Take for instance, you have a desire to have something that someone else has. Perhaps your neighbors just bought a new boat. They are always getting new and expensive things, things that you have always wanted. This makes you very envious of them. Well, you know from Galatians 5:19-21 that envy is a work of the sin nature. Rather than reframing your mind and yielding to righteousness, the thought comes into our mind is , “A Christian is not suppose to be envious of others.” This thought seems innocent enough, and it is true; however, if you use this thought against the sin nature you are not going to get the reaction you desire. Rather than overcoming the sin nature, you will find out that the sin nature's appetite becomes greater and harder to resist. Why? Because you are putting a law up against the sin nature, rather than living by grace.

The Sin nature

The sin nature is a result of Adam’ trespass. When Eve took of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the devil had completely deceived her; However, Adam understood what he was doing. 1 Timothy 2:14 “and Adam was not deceived, but the woman thoroughly deceived was in transgression.”

The result was two deaths: Adam died spiritually (his spirit was separated from God and was no longer able to receive the things of the Spirit.) and physically.Physical death came from the sin, just as God said it would. “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you will not eat from it because in the day you eat from it dying you will die,” Genesis 2:17. Spiritual death; however, came from Adam’s trespass.

Romans 5:12-21. “Because of this, just as through one man sin entered the world and through sin came the death, and thus death came unto all men because all have sinned. (for up to the point of the law, sin was in the world. However, sin was not reckoned being without a law.)But death reigned as king from Adam until Moses even upon the ones who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression, who is a type of the one about to come. But, not as the trespass thus is the gracious gift. For since by the one trespass many died, how much more by the grace from God and the gift by grace, the one through the one man Jesus Christ unto the many super abounds. And the gift is not according as through the one who sinned. For on the one hand the judgment out from one unto condemnation, but on the other hand the result of the gracious gift out from many trespasses resulted in righteousness. For since by the trespass of the one, the death reigned as king though the one, how much more the one having been received, the one abounding by the gracious gift and the gift of righteousness, in life reigns as king though the one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, just as through the result of one trespass unto all men unto condemnation, thus also through the result of the righteous act of one, unto all men unto righteousness of life. For just as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were constituted to be sinners, thus also through the obedience of the one, the many were constituted righteous. Now the law came in, in order that the trespass should abound but where the sin nature abounded, grace super abounded, in order that just as the sin nature reigned unto death, thus also the grace should reign through righteousness unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Trespass verse Transgression: Trespass is an offence. We trespass when we determine to do something that is lacking in character, rather than taking the way of escape that God has provided for us. Transgression is a breaking of the Law. Christian’s today cannot transgress because they are not under any law. Romans 4:15 "for the law works wrath. For where there is no law, there is niether transgression."

“What will we say then? Should we remain in the sin nature in order that grace may about?” Roman 6:1

God made Adam in His own image and likeness. When Adam sinned, all humans that were born received his corrupt nature. Genesis 5:1-3 “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 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:” Adam was created in the likeness; however, Adam’s son was born in his image, the image Adam possessed after the fall. This image was passed on to all men and therefore condemnation was passed unto all men for all are constituted to be in Adam.

When Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead, God took us out of Adam and placed us into Christ. Now, just as God had constituted us to be condemned in Adam, in Christ, God has constituted us to be righteous. However, our sin nature did not dissolve. Rather Christ’s death rendered it ineffective, Romans 6:6 “This we experientially know, that our old man has been crucified, in order that the body of the sin nature should be rendered ineffective, no longer to be slaves to the sin nature,” Within our position in Christ, we have died to the sin nature and are no longer slaves to it.

Since we are no longer in Adam, and therefore no longer slaves to the sin nature, why should we continue to govern our lives according to the desire of the sin nature? Obviously, we should not. So how do we avoid doing the wrong things that we do not want to do so that we can do the righteous things that we want to do?

Although the sin nature has been rendered ineffective, it is only ineffective when we are living from our position in Christ. When our mind is framed on the things above, Colossian 3:1,2, and we are governing the manner of our lives according to the spirit, the sin nature has no power over us, Galatians 5:16 “But I say, govern the manner of your life by the Spirit and you will in no way fulfill the desires of the flesh.”

However, when we are framing our minds on the desires of the flesh and governing our lives in such a way as to fulfill these desires, we become a slave again to the sin nature. Romans 8:5 “for the ones who are according to the flesh frame their minds on the things of the flesh, but the ones who are according to the Spirit frame their minds of the things of the Spirit.”

Romans 6:16 “ Don’t you know that the one you present yourself to, bond slaves unto obedience, salves you are to whom you obey, whether the sin nature unto death, or obedience unto righteousness.”

“What will we say then? Should we remain in the sin nature in order that grace may about?” May it never come to be! How shall we, the ones who are dead to the sin nature, still live by it? Romans 6:2

We are dead to the sin nature in Christ and alive unto God. “ Don’t you know that the ones having been baptized into Christ Jesus , were baptized into his death? Therefore, having been buried together with him through baptism into the death, in order that just as Christ was raised out from among dead men through the glory of the Father, thus also we should govern the manner of our lives in newness of life.” Romans 6:3,4

Overcoming the sin nature begins with lining up your frame of mind with God’s opinion of you. God counts you to be dead to your sin nature and alive to Him in Christ, you need to count this to be true. It is only in this frame of mind that you are going to be able to defend yourself against the sin nature. Why? Because our defense against the sin nature is not to fight it, but rather to redirect our actions to what is righteous.

“This we experientially know, that our old man has been crucified, in order that the body of the sin nature should be rendered ineffective, no longer to be slaves to the sin nature,” Romans 6:6

We are no longer salves to the sin nature because we have died to the sin nature in Christ. Romans 6:7 “for the one having died is set free from the sin nature.”

Not only have we died with Christ, we have also risen with Christ. Romans 6:8 “but since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also be raised with Him.”

Defeating the sin nature starts with knowing you have died with Christ and have been raised to walk in newness of life; Reckon this to be true – take God at His word; then yield your members to righteousness.

Know - Reckon - Yield

Dealing with your Thoughts

In order to deal with the thoughts that enter our minds, we need to understand what the process is for sin. If a thought is a sin, then once that thought enters our minds we have failed. However, if the thought is not a sin, then we can deal with the thought before it becomes a sin.
In the book of James, James writes about the process we go through to sin. James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

First a desire must come, whether from you are from one of your enemies. This desire comes in the form of a thought. This desire is only tempting if it relates to something you are able to do. If Satan tempted you to turn rocks into bread, the temptation would be ridiculous. Even if you wanted to do it, you could not. Although a thought has come into your mind that suggests doing something that lacks in character – maybe stealing, coveting what others have, being unthankful, etc. – until you make this thought your own you will not be tempted. “But each one is tempted (solicited to do something that lacks in character) when he is drawn away and enticed (baited) with his own lust.”

When you determine to fulfill the lust, then you have trespassed. “… then when lust has conceived… .” Conception is the same term for when the sperm and the egg come together in a woman and a child begins to grow. Sin has not happened yet; rather, you have determined to fulfill the lust and have therefore chosen to reject the way of escape. However, until the opportunity presents itself, you are not going to be able to fulfill the desire. Notice, it is from this stage that sin is produced. “…then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin…”

Sin is exterior to the body. Once a lust has conceived it will bring forth sin. James used the concept of a woman giving birth to a child to show that sin works in a similar manner. Only once the act begins is sin produced.

●●●
Understanding Matthew 5:27, 28.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, at different times He presented the Jews with the opportunity to accept His kingdom. Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand.” Jesus was the Messiah that God promised to the Jews. He was their King, their redeemer. In Matthew 5, Jesus is giving the rules of His kingdom to the Jews. Notice that Jesus states the present law and then revises it – you have heard it said… but I say… .
Within these new laws, Jesus makes a statement about looking upon a woman that seem to contradict James’ statement of sin being exterior to the body. Matthew 5:27, 28 “You have heard that it was said by them of old, you will not commit adultery. But I say to you that whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Context is very important to understanding what a passage of scripture means. In this passage, Jesus is speaking only to the Jews about the rules for His kingdom. In His kingdom, a man that looks upon a woman in a manner to commit adultery with her faces punishment. This would seem that a person could sin in their mind.
In James, sin was exterior, and an offense or trespass was interior. This has not changed. In Matthew 5:29, which gives the penalty, sin is not mentioned; rather it is an offence or trespass. “and if your right eye offends you, pluck it out and cast if from you…”
If anyone in Jesus’ kingdom gets to the point of accepting a desire to commit adultery and determines to do it, they face judgment. This does not say they sinned so why are they to pluck out or cut off the member of their bodies that offend them?
To us this would seem to be to great of a burden, who can control the thoughts in their head? Bad thoughts running through your head are not sins, nor are they trespasses. That does not change in the Millennial kingdom (Christ reign for one thousand years on earth). These people are only liable when they accept a thought that is lacking in character and determine to fulfill it. This may seem difficult to us, and would be about impossible for us today because our heart (out center where our body, soul, and spirit connect and the place where are person and determinate will reside) does not naturally know the law of God. It must be taught to us. We are also not liable now for determine to act lawlessly, rather we are liable only when we perform the act. This is different for those in the Kingdom of the Son.
Jeremiah 31:33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people
All those who live during the Millennial Kingdom will have the law of God written in their hearts. God is going to change their heart so that the affect of the sin nature is countered by the law that is written on their hearts. Unlike us, it will be a rare things for them to determine to do something against the law that is written in their hearts. And in so determining, they will know they are desiring to act lawlessly because it is against what they know they should be doing.
The reason they will remove the body part that they determined to use to commit an act of lawlessness is because in Christ’s Kingdom, justice and judgment will be swift.
Matthew 13:41-42 the Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Christ will not tolerate anything that is offense in His kingdom. Everything that offends will be cast in a furnace of fire. This furnace is the lake of Fire – Matthew 5:29, the body part that offend is cast in gehenna – the lake of fire. The one that determines to commit an act of lawlessness if given a choice. Remove the part that they determined to use for the act or lawlessness, or be cast into the lake of fire with it.
This does not change how a sin comes about. Jesus does not say this person sinned; rather He states they will be held liable for the offence or trespass.
●●●

Every time we determine to do something, we go through the same process. We have a desire, then we determine to fulfill that desire. Now, the opportunity has to come in order for us do the desire that we have determine to do, so we do not always carry out our desires – whether beneficial or lacking in character.

Because the process starts with a desire, in our minds, it is very important to understand how to identify thoughts that are from one of our three enemies. However, if we do not identify a thought and we determine to fulfill that desire, until we actually perform the act we have not sinned. We can take the way of escape at any time, 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it; However, if we catch the thought when it first comes to us and reject it, we will not be consumed by the desire to do something that is lacking in character and offend God.

In order to be able to identify where a desire is coming from we need to understand which enemy is attacking and how each enemy attacks.

Frustration

Romans 7:15 For that which I am working out, I do not know; for I am not performing what I desire, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

We have everything we need to live a godly life; however, often times we find ourselves doing the things we do not want to do and not doing the things we desire to do. What causes this conflict within a Christian?

Have you ever had a situation where you are praying, worshiping, or reading your bible and inappropriate thoughts keep entering your head? Is God real? Does God hear me? …
The thought life of a Christian is a battleground between doing what is right and doing what is wrong. All of our actions start within our thoughts. In our minds, many different desires come to us every day. We are not going to do all of these desires. Perhaps the desire is out of our reach - going to the moon - or we chose to another desire – rather than having pizza tonight, I will have a salad. Many of these desires are normal every day desires that make it possible for us to make it through the day. After all, how would we determine to get dressed in the morning, go to work, eat lunch, go home or all of the many other things we do throughout the day without desiring to do so? A desire is not always something you enjoy doing. You may not want to get up in the morning to go to work but you know you have to so you determine to do it. You still had to have the though come into your head for you to go to work and determine to do so, otherwise you would have stayed at home today. We must desire something before we do anything.

Because our thought life is so important, our enemies are going to attack us through our thoughts. You see, if one of your enemies can change the way you are thinking, it can cause you to do what it desires rather than what you desire.

There are three enemies that all Christians have: Satan and his demons; the world system; and the sin nature. Each one of these enemies begins by affecting your thinking. Satan may whisper suggestions into your thoughts or change your circumstances to get you to accept his desires as your own, John 8:44. The world system is going to attract you through your eyes and ears to lull you to sleep, 1 John 5:19. And the sin nature is going to attack you through your soul, 1 Peter 2:11. The whole purpose of these attacks is to get you to determine to do your enemies desires rather than God's desires.

Temptation, which is a solicitation to do something that lacks in character, comes from one of our three enemies. Each time we are tempted, we have a choice. Do we accept the desire, which lacks in character, as our own and seek to fulfill it, or do we reject it.

http://groups.google.com/group/vbcoregon

Some of the Benifits

Placed as a Priest

“But you are a chosen race, a kingly priesthood, a set a part nation, a people unto a possession, in order that you should proclaim the excellencies of the one having called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
“and you yourselves, according as living stones are being build up, a spiritual house into a set a part priesthood, to bring spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Christ Jesus.” 1 Peter 2:5

Placed as a Son

“ having marked off your bounds unto the placement of sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, accord to His good pleasures.” Ephesians 1:5
Galatians 4:1-5 “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the placement of sons.”

Complete in Christ

“ and you are complete in him, which is the head of all principalities and powers.” Colossians 2:10. In Christ, we are complete before God. We do not need to add to our righteousness, purity, godliness, or humility to be acceptable to God. All that Christ has done and who He is, God reckons to us.

The Promise of Rest

Hebrews 4:1-10 “Therefore, let us fear lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has thus said somewhere concerning the seventh day, "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"; 5 and again in this passage, "They shall not enter My rest." 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.” This rest is not referring to a Jewish rest, but rather the rest that we find in Christ. A rest from our work to gain salvation. All that we are and will be is reckoned to us in Christ.

Seated in the Heavenlies

“and having been raised together and seated together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:6.

Part of a New Creation

“For you are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has set before hand in order that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“Therefore, sin anyone is in Christ; a new creation. Old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“for in Christ Jesus circumcision has not strength, neither un-circumcision but a new creation.” Galatians 6:15

The Righteousness of God

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Philippians 3:9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own out from a quality of Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness out from God on the basis of faith,

Sanctified

1 Corinthians 1:2 to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

1 Corinthians 1:30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

Redemption

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

Romans 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

Provided One Spiritual Gift

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 1 Corinthians 12:25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

Romans 12:4-8 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Liberty in Christ

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Galatians 2:4 But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.

Inlawed to Christ

1 Corinthians 9:21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law.

Part of the Building of God

Ephesians 2:21-22 in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Accepted in the beloved

Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Made Near to God

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Dead Together with Christ

Romans 6:1-11 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 ¶ For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.

Raised together with Christ

Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Colossians 3:1-2 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Romans 6:4-11 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 ¶ For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin, once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

No Condemnation

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Made one with Christ and with one another

John 17:21-24 hat they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. 22 "And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me. 24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, in order that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me; for Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the world.
Romans 12:4-5 or just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 1 Corinthians 12:25 hat there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

Made Saints

1 Corinthians 1:2 to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
Philippians 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

http://groups.google.com/group/vbcoregon

The Better Promises

“But now we have obtained a different ministry, by as much as He is a mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” Hebrews 8:6

Not only has our position changed, we are under a different covenant that is based upon better promises.

The Holy Spirit: In the upper room, Jesus spoke of a change in the relationship the disciples would have with the Holy Spirit. “the Spirit of truth, which the world is not able to receive, because it does not see Him, nor can it experientially know Him. But you experientially know Him because He remains along side of you and will be in you,” John 14:17. The Holy Spirit would no longer be beside them; rather, He would be in them. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit never indwelt a person. He came upon them and controlled their actions so they could prophesy or rule. Under the New Testament, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer and fills him or her up where he or she is lacking in the fruit of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:16, “Don’t you know that you are the Holy of Holies of God and the Spirit from God dwells in you?” We are the house of God and the Holy Spirit now dwells in us. God the Father also indwells believers because we are His dwelling place. “and what agreement does the Holy of Holies of God have with idols? For you are the Holy of Holies of the living God. Just as God said, I will dwell in them and walk among them and I will be their God and they will be my people.”

The Holy Spirit also assists us in our Christian life by filling us up where we are lacking. Ephesians 5:18 “Stop getting drunk with wine, in which is no savingness ( no saving frame of mind), but be filled up (where you are lacking) by the Spirit.” Rather than controlling our minds as He did under the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit only fills us up where we are lacking concerning the fruit from the Spirit. He only does this when we are framing our minds on the things above.

The Holy Spirit also seals us until we receive our full redemption. “in whom also you, having heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, in whom also having believed you were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13

The promise of the Holy Spirit indwelling us alone makes the content of our salvation completely different from the content of salvation for the Jews and saints of Old. We have the better promises. Not only do we have the better promises, saints of other dispensations will not receive their promises until we receive ours. “And all these, having testified through their faith, did not receive what was promised because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made complete.” Hebrews 11:39, 40

Life is another promise that we have received. “Paul, and apostle of Jesus Christ through the desirous will of God according to the promise of life, the one in Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 1:1. The life that is in Christ Jesus is resurrection life. “Don’t you know that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be rendered ineffective, that henceforth we should not serve the sin nature. 7 For he that is dead is freed from the sin nature. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead died no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto the sin nature once: but in that he lives, he lives unto God. 11 Likewise you reckon also yourselves to be dead indeed unto the sin nature, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:1-11

God counts or puts to our account that we have died to our sin nature because we have died with Christ, and are alive unto God, in Christ, to walk in newness of life. We are not dead. We are alive. We are no longer slaves to our sin nature, which produced the works of the flesh in our lives. Now we are a slave to righteousness. “but thanks to God that you were slaved to the sin nature but you heard and responded out from the heart into that form of doctrine to be learned and practiced which was delivered, and having been made free from the sin nature you were made slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:17, 18.

Resurrection life is eternal life lived out. At salvation, the Holy Spirit regenerated our spirit, Titus 3:5. He joined us to the divine essence, 2 Peter 1:4, and all three member of the Godhead indwelled us, 1 John 4:15. The Holy Spirit also placed us into the body of the Christ, a new creation 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 12:13. We have eternal life because we have the Son of God, 1 John 5:12. We can live out this life because God has put us in a position where He counts us to have already died to our sin nature and to be raised to walk in newness of life before Him. Resurrection life is living according to the fact that you are now alive to God.

http://groups.google.com/group/vbcoregon

Spiritually Minded

How your mind is framed directly affects your actions. When your mind is framed on the things above – your position and possessions – your actions are going to line up with who you are in Christ. The Holy Spirit will also begin to teach you how to feel at ease in Christ and produce fruit in your life. “and the anointing, which you received from Him abides in you, and you do not have need in order that anyone should teach you concerning all things, and is truth and is not a lie, and just as he taught you, abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27. As we follow the context, John is stating that the Holy Spirit is our true teacher and that He teaches us to feel at ease in Christ. As you frame your mind on who you are in Christ, and line up your opinion of yourself to what God’s opinion of you is, the Holy Spirit will begin to put things together for you. “which things also we speak not by the doctrine of wisdom of man’s words, but we speak in the doctrine from the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual words with spiritual things.” 1 Corinthians 2:13.

What you frame your mind on directly affects what you are able to receive. When you are framing your mind on the things of the Spirit, you are using your new mind, Romans 12:2, and are able to receive the things from the Spirit.

http://groups.google.com/group/vbcoregon

Carnally Minded

1 Corinthians 3:1 “and I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as spiritual, but as carnal, as inarticulate babblers in Christ.”

The Corinthian saints were not growing in their relationship with Christ because they were emanating the flesh, or carnal. There was strife, divisions, and envy among them and they were walking, governing the manner of their lives, according to men, not according to who they were in Christ.

Walking according to the flesh is a problem that all Christians can face many times throughout their lives. As a matter of fact, we tend to frame our minds more of the things of the flesh than the things of the Spirit because prior to salvation, the things of the flesh were the only things we thought. “But the soulish man is not able to receive the things from the Spirit of God, for they are foolish to him and he is not able to experientially know them, because they are spiritually examined,” 1 Corinthians 2:14.

Framing your mind according to the desires of the flesh will produce the works of the flesh in your life. “Now the works of the flesh are manifested, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, religious superstitious awe, enmity, strife, zeal, inner burning angers, rivalries, dissensions, factions, envy, murder, carousing, and things like these…” Galatians 5:21

By producing the works of the flesh in your life, you are acting as though you are still in Adam. Your are not considering who you are in Christ; rather, you are seeking to fulfill the desires of your flesh. When a Christian is producing the works of the flesh, he or she is acting just like an unsaved person.

Someone that is carnal will not grow in his or her Spiritual life. “For the result of the framing of the mind concerning the flesh is death, but the result of the framing of the mind concerning the Spirit is life and peace, because the result of the framing of the mind concerning the flesh is hostility towards God, for it is not subject to the law from God, nor does it have the ability to be subject to the law of God. So the ones being in the flesh are not able to please God.” Romans 8:6-8

http://groups.google.com/group/vbcoregon

Framing your Mind

In Colossian 3:1, 2, Paul instructs us to set our reflective thinking, or frame of mind, on things above. “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your reflective thinking on things above, not on the things of the earth.”

Reflective thinking, in Colossians 3, is the type of thinking that we do every day while we go about our daily duties. We frame our minds in different ways depending upon how we perceive ourselves; how you identify who you are in your own mind. Our reflective thinking directly affects how we perceive ourselves. Our reflective thinking needs to be focused on things above so that our frame of mind, how we perceive ourselves, is affect in such a way that it lines up with how God identifies us in His mind.

Remember, old things have passed away, all things are new, 1 Corinthians 5:17. The way we recognize ourselves needs to change to match who we really are now in Christ.

What are the things above? Things are not persons; they are your position and possessions. You do not focus your mind on an imaginary Jesus – you have not seen Jesus so you cannot truly imagine what He looks like. Use your renewed mind, Romans 12:2, and focus on the things that relate to who you are in Christ now.

There are two area in which you can frame your mind: the flesh and the Spirit. Romans 8:4, 5 “The righteousness of the principle of the Spirit is made full in us, the one not governing their manner of life according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit, for the ones walking according to the flesh, set their reflective thinking on the things of the flesh, but the ones walking according to the Spirit, they set their reflective thinking on the things of the Spirit.”

I used the word “principle” rather than “law” because within the English language we have four words to explain one Greek word: laws, regulations, principles, and standards. Each one of these has a distinctly different aspect. There are manmade laws and regulations; however, we also use the word “law” for things that happen because of the nature of something; principles. The laws of nature are those things that happen because it is natural for them to happen. The Greek word is expressing this meaning in Romans 8. Christians are not under any quality of law – rules regulating your life and status before God, Romans 6:14 “for the sin nature will not lord it over you. For you are not under any quality of law, but under grace.”

The law of the Spirit is not referring to a set of regulations for the Christian but rather the natural result that comes from walking by the Spirit. When you frame your mind on who you are in Christ, you are relating to the Spirit. As you begin to feel more and more at ease in your position in Christ, the Holy Spirit will begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life. When you frame your mind on the things of the flesh you are relating to the flesh and naturally produce the works of the flesh.

Framing Your Mind

2 Peter 3:14-18 Therefore, beloved, looking for these things, spotless and blameless in him, be diligent to be found in peace, 15 and consider the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, experientially knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and experiential knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him is the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Grace does not stop at salvation. Remember, grace is an attitude whereby God gives us benefits without considering merit. Christians share in a quality of the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:4; are immersed into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:13; are placed as sons, Ephesians 1:5; are legitimate children of God, 1 John 3:9; are righteous before God, Romans 5:1; just to name a few of these benefit. Now, we are going to look at how to use all of our benefits that God has given us in our daily lives.

Although we do not have our full redemption yet, the body and soul are waiting to be saved until we receive our full redemption, our position has changed. We are no longer in Adam, no longer considered condemned in God’s mind. We are now in Christ, and not only in Christ, but totally complete in Christ, Colossians 2:8-10. Now, in order to benefit from this change, we must alter our frame of mind to match what God thinks about us, because how we frame our minds directly affects our actions.