9.3 The "Natural" Versus the "Spiritual" Man

from

Chapter 9: The Volition and Spirit of Man

from War On the Saints
by Jesse Penn-Lewis

Scriptures Referenced in This Section:
          (Follow the Scripture links if you want to study the Scriptures for yourself.)
Prov. 17:27 π 2 Cor. 10:5 π Gal. 5:23 π Heb. 4:12

At first the regenerated man is but a "babe" in Christ, manifesting many of the characteristics of the natural man in jealousy, strife, etc., until he apprehends the need of a fuller reception of the Holy Spirit to dwell in the regenerated spirit as His sanctuary.

The unregenerate man is wholly dominated by soul and body. The regenerate man has his spirit

1) quickened, and

2) indwelt by the Holy Spirit, yet may he governed by soul and body because his spirit is compressed and bound.

The spiritual man has his spirit liberated from bondage to the soul ( Heb. 4:12; top ) to be the organ of the Holy Spirit in mind and body.

It is then that, by the Holy Spirit's power, his volition is brought into harmony with God in all His laws and purposes, and the whole outer man into self-control. Thus it is written "The fruit of the Spirit...is self-control." ( Gal. 5:23; top , m) It is not only love, joy, peace, long-suffering, and gentleness, manifested through the channel of the soul - the personality - but in a true dominion over the world of himself,

1) every thought brought into captivity, in the same obedience to the will of the Father as was manifested in Christ ( 2 Cor. 10:5 );

2) his spirit "ruled" also from the chamber of the will, so that he is of a "cool spirit" and can "keep back" or utter at his will what is in his spirit as well as what is in his mind ( Prov. 17:27 , m.; top), and

3) his body so obedient to the helm of the will, that it is a disciplined and alert instrument for God to energize and empower; that body an instrument to be handled intelligently as a vehicle for service, and not any longer master of the man, or the mere tool of Satan and unruly desires.

[9.2] God Governs the Renewed Man By His Co-Acting Will
π
[9.4] The Call to Decisive Action of the Will
9: The Volition and Spirit of Man - Table of Contents
Table of Contents π Topical Index

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