The Battle Is Real

Three or four years ago I wrote about man's will.  Some people believe our will is the real problem concerning the choices we make in life, choices that can be either good or bad.  So now, four years later, I question whether the driving force behind natural man's choices is really his will.  The natural man is born in a fallen state, which means the body of flesh wants to rule all his actions, most of which if left to nature, will result in sin. 

Nature?  What's that all about?  Man's natural state, (what we acquire from nature at birth ... that is, apart from God's influence on your soul) the inborn, hereditary characteristics, the essential qualities locked within your DNA (the carrier of genetic information) makes up the person you will become.

Without having a choice in the matter, man is born totally naked, totally uncivilized, in a morally unregenerate condition, and unredeemed by God's grace.  Even though at birth, there is no sin on his record ... there soon will be.  That's why I say we are in a fallen state ... and we cannot help ourselves to get out of that situation.  But God can.

So today, I want to look at just what it is that influences the "soul" of man.  There's a human "spirit" within the body.  If you're alive and breathing you've got a spirit.  That's what gives you life.  Some people call it the "heart" of man as well.  And then there is the so called trouble maker ... the "will" of man that has a lot to do with our choices.

Now as I step back and look at these three or four things ... they look a lot alike.  They all play a part in who we are.  It has been said that the soul of man is the spiritual part, our eternal being that will never die because it's not of the flesh.  But I wonder if the "will" of man just might be firmly attached to and governed by ... the flesh.

If I were to describe the "soul" of man, I would say it is an intangible spiritual place not having a physical presence, located somewhere in the heart or mind, but is capable of being touched by the desires of the flesh and the Spirit of God at the same time, where it then becomes the battleground between good and evil.

I believe the will of man dwells and resides in the soul of man where it must choose at times to follow either ... the flesh or the Spirit of God.   

Romans 8:7 … "Because the carnal mind (mental inclination) is enmity (opposed or hostile) against God: for it is not subject (subordinate, under obedience) to the law of God, neither indeed can be (is not possible)."

Within the heart and mind of natural man, the carnal mindset is so closely woven and connected to the desires of the flesh, that the body, with it's fallen nature, enjoys the freedom of sin until the Spirit of God regenerates the heart and mind through salvation and the infilling of the soul with the Spirit of Christ.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:16-17 these words to believers concerning how man is regenerated ... "I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong."  (NLT)

The soul has no power of it's own to do good or evil ... but is influenced by either the flesh or the Spirit of God.  When natural man receives the Spirit of Christ at salvation, (being born again) and the Holy Spirit begins to dwell in him, his soul will begin to have dominion over the old appetites of the flesh and he can now submit to his new "will" that is intent on obedience to God and is now in opposition to sin.

The "will" can still consent to sin, and because it is free will, it must possess this power; yet at the same time it is impossible to force it to sin.  Even Satan himself can not do this; and before he can get it to sin, he must get it's consent through temptation or other devises at his disposal.

It's a good thing for the new regenerated man to have the Holy Spirit living in his soul because the principle of sin is also equally present in us … as the old sin nature in man's flesh will continue to try and prevail.
 
Galatians 5:17  ... "The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions."  (NLT)

Make no mistake about this, even the new regenerated man's will can be worn down through the temptations of the flesh.  That's why it is important to make sure your soul, heart, and mind are full of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God ... and not the flesh.

Man's soul is the battleground ... and the battle is real.



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