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              Becoming a Christian         Erroneous Views         A Disciple Must
              Warfare of Disciples          Headship of Christ       Realize God's Kingdom


1.  The Flesh

The flesh in this case, is that part of us that stems from our soul and our bodies; and reflects our old manner of life, as we were in Adam. The soul is made up of our will, our emotions, our intellect etc. our bodies possess the 5 senses. Even though we have been born again and are new creatures in Christ; we can still act like we did before we got saved.

 Judicially: God sees Christians  as crucified with Christ, our old man ( what we were as a fallen people in the community of Adam, with him as the head of ) was put to death when Christ died on the cross. Jesus Christ called the last Adam ( 1 Corinthians 15:45 ) instituted a new community of which He is the Head of;  born-again Christians are a part of this community and possess a new spiritual nature. ( the new man ) For a Christian to live victoriously, he or she must understand and apply these truths in every day living. A Christian can choose to live in the flesh ( live carnally ) and reflect 1st. Adam ( sinful Adam ) or walk in the spirit and reflect last Adam ( righteous Jesus ).

WE MUST RECOGNIZE

    a.  The Old Man is Judicially Crucified      ( What we were in Adam )

Romans 6:3-12   Know ye not, 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 destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.
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 dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10.  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11.  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12.  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

    b.  Putting on and putting off

Ephesians 4:22  that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23  and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24  and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.

The phrase putting off the old man and putting on the new man is one of exchanging clothes and refers to a change in character in light of a change in identity, having moved from our old existence ( without God, dead in sin  see Ephesians 2:1-12 ) to a new existence ( with God, in righteousness see Ephesians 1:1-14 )

The old man refers to a life style consistent with sin, but inconsistent with being in Christ. The new man refers to a lifestyle consistent with being in Christ and truth.

Ephesians 4:1  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

  A Christian must recognize that in a legal sense our old man was crucified with Christ
And according to 2 Corinthians 5:17 he or she is a new creature.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

-- Living Bible
2 Corinthians 5:17  When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!

   * A Christian must realize that he or she CAN choose to put off the deeds of the old
      man and put on the deeds of the new.

  * It requires crucifying the flesh.

HOW?

*  Works of the Flesh

Galatians 5:16-21  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19.  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness,
20.  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21.  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The works of the flesh are evident.  One must be truthful and honest with themselves, recognize that their flesh is in control and crucify it.

HOW ?

  * Recognize when your flesh is in control.  ( the work of it - above )

  * By realizing that you're not the the same person you use to be.  ( a new creature now )

 * Recognizing that you are a child of God.

  * By the power of the Holy Spirit

  * By speaking out loud the word of God. It is written - the appropriate scripture.

  Some examples:

      1.  An outburst of anger at the elderly lady at the traffic light.

      Recognize the flesh - ( its work ) Speak out loud - shut up flesh! It is written “the
      fruit of the spirit is gentleness and self control."

      2.  A Christian man sees a neighbor lady in a small bikini and begins to entertain
          thoughts about her.

       Jesus said: “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her, commits adultery in his
                         heart.”
      What he should do:  Speak! ungodly thought leave my mind; for it is written “thou
                                       shall not commit adultery.”

( See my study course Christian Warfare )  

  * What happens if a Christian will not correct self ?

-- American Standard
1 Corinthians 11:27-32   Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup.
29  For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30  For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.
31  For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
32  But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

Hebrews 12:6-11   For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8.  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9.  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10.  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11.  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Vs.14   Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Galatians 5:24   And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  

* There are many Christians who are not walking in God’s health and blessings because
     they  will not judge self.


1 Corinthians 11:27-32 ( above ) says that many were sick and some were asleep (died)

    * They failed to judge their actions - God did.

    * Sin is sin regardless if it comes from a believer or a non-believer.

2.  Satan

  * Satan appeals to our flesh ( temptations etc.)

James 1:13-15   Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14.  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

  * This is one of the reasons that our flesh must be crucified.

James 4:7   Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

  * The way to resist Satan is:

  a.  Example of Lord Jesus

Matthew 4:1-4, 10-11    Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2.  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3.  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4.  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

10.  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11.  Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

  b.  Your Armor

Ephesians 6:10-13   Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

( Read the rest of the chapter to see what your armor is.)

* Some facts about Satan

     Blinds Minds

2 CORINTHIANS 4:3-4   But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
Vs.4   In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

     Sinners Still Under His Rule

ACTS 26:18   To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

     Contends With God’s People

EPHESIANS 6:12   For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

     Called an angel of light (A Phony)

2 Corinthians 11:14   And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
         
              Servants of the devil do the same thing. ( Wolves in sheepskin clothing )
              Phony preachers
              Leaders of worldly religious sects
              
             1Cor. 11:15   Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as
              the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

     Satan is defeated

Hebrews 214.  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

     Satan’s final doom

Revelations 20:10   And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

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