Bible Discussion Thread

The importance of "reflecting Christ's image" and not our own,

Part 3

Paul knew the choices he had to make to continually free himself from the enemy in order that Christ's Life might show forth. We, too, must personally understand this perpetual struggle, as well as know the exact steps to overcome it.

Characteristics of a Carnal Christian (Soulish Man)

Let's put all of this into language we can understand. What are some of the characteristics that identify a "carnal Christian"?1These are born-again Christians because they have the Spirit of God in them. However, because they have chosen to follow what the flesh has told them over God's promptings, their actions show forth "self" rather than God. Here are some marks of identification:

Carnal Christians are often talkative and flippant, always making themselves the center of attention. They tend to use many words and look upon themselves as far more advanced than others. Consequently, they are often fault finders. Working for the Lord is of the utmost importance to them, but they feel that everything must be done in a hurry. They do not wait on the Lord forHisanswers. They often rely upon their own personality and have a large spiritual vocabulary. They are ambitious and want to attain glory for themselves. They usually are uncommonly gifted, have great talent and magnetic personalities. But, again, they dwell on their own superiority.

The basic characteristics of the works of the flesh are independence or self-dependence, self-confidence and self-reliance. This Christian values self-will above God's will. He can do righteous deeds and do them well; however, God says that any good that the flesh does is an abomination in His sight because it glorifies self, not Him.

See Part 4.

The importance of "reflecting Christ's image" and not our own

Part 4

Soulish believers try to satisfy their curiosity by studying prophecy. They believe that knowing mentally is the same thing as possessing experientially. They have greatacquired knowledge,but notSpirit-revealedknowledge. It's important to note, however, that increased spiritual head-knowledge will often strengthen our carnality, deceiving us into thinking we are spiritual.

The danger of the above is that because God's Spirit is suppressed, the soulish and bodily realm will rule, allowing the power of darkness to get an advantage. God designed thesanctification processto remove all hindrances so that the Holy Spirit can control us.Sanctification is simply the process of restoring the image of Christ in us. Unfortunately, many carnal Christians are unwilling to pay that price.

Thus, you can be born again by the Spirit and yet still spend 90% of your time in the soulish realm. If this is the case, your ministry and teaching will not produce any real life or power. Listen to John 6:63, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing..."

Ask yourself, do any of the above characteristics describe you? If so, allow the Holy Spirit to personally reveal them to you and, in response, deal with them as God would have youbeforeyou get captured like that above traveler.

Other "works of the flesh" are described in Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and the like."

Characteristics of a Spiritual Christian (Spiritual Man)

Let's now describe a "spiritual Christian," one who not only has been born anew but who is also walking by the Spirit, thereby glorifying the Lord.

See Part 5