In Christ We Are Spiritual People
– Sunday, May 5, 2019 – Steve Miller
Our cat Leo is very carnal. He is a “foodie,” motivated by his appetites, especially for food, but also physical affection, his toys, and … more food. God did not design or intend for us to think and act like Leo.
As we learn about who we are in Christ, it's important to be mindful that we are spiritual beings. We are not just physical beings, as some believe. Likewise, we are not just spirits living in the physical container of a body, as has been taught. As human beings, we are a complexly woven together combination of body, soul, mind, and spirit. Our rationalistic culture tends to believe only in that which is visible or measurable, chases constantly after physical and emotional pleasure and material possessions, and values physical skills and cognitive knowledge. We need to be careful not to neglect the fact that we are spiritual beings.
John 4:23-25 – 23But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
We need to be aware and discerning of the spiritual, both in us and around us.
Proverbs 20:27 – The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.
Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Ephesians 6:12 – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
When sin came into the world, it started working death in our spirits, just as it did in our bodies. It took the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit working through grace to restore the life of God to our spirits. The Holy Spirit is the source of renewed life in our spirits.
Titus 3:4-7
John 3:3-8
Paul describes the difference between a person born of the Spirit and someone who hasn't been reborn spiritually. Notice the close connection and importance of fellowship between the believer's spirit and the Holy Spirit:
1 Corinthians 2:10-17
The born-again spirit of the believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, wants to do the will of God.
Romans 7:21-23
The Holy Spirit affirms in our spirits our understanding of our position as beloved children of God and facilitates our relationship with Him.
Romans 8:15-16
The Spirit does not just enable us to be reborn, but also guides us to live for Him, bearing his fruit.
Galatians 5:25 – If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
We need to develop and exercise our spirits, just as much if not more than we do our bodies, minds, and souls. Arthur Burke points out that our spirits come into the world at a developmental advantage over our minds, emotions, and bodies, but we quickly lose that spiritual developmental advantage because of the emphasis modern society places on developing those other areas, while often ignoring spiritual things. But as we have seen in Scripture, the spirit man, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, should be directing our bodies, minds, and souls in serving God. It is through our spirit that the Lord feeds and renews our other members.
How can we develop our spirits? Walk with and listen to the Holy Spirit. Spend time in fellowship with Him.
2 Corinthians 13:14 – The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Proverbs 13:20 – Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Ephesians 3:16 – I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being
2 Corinthians 4:16 – So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
The description here is of the Holy Spirit strengthening our spirit from within, which in turn strengthens, heals, and encourages our minds, souls, and bodies. Renewal, health, and refreshment comes from God through the inside, working it's way out via our spirits. Likewise, our beauty and pleasantness to God come from within.
1 Peter 3:3-4
Psalm 51:6, 10-12, 17
In order to develop our spirits, we need to do those things which involve fellowship with the Holy Spirit, including being aware of His presence, talking with Him, worship, reading His Word, sharing daily adventures with Him, listening to His voice, and praying in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:4-5a – 4The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy.
This is what I felt the Holy Spirit saying:
“Blessed are you, for you watch daily at My doors and incline your ear to Me. Do so more and more, for there is no limit to the riches of wisdom and grace in My words, and they come infused with power, love, and encouragement. Listen to My Spirit, and your spirit will grow, for the company you keep influences you for good or bad, but My Spirit strengthens you, sharpens you, and makes you holy. I regenerate you and renew you in your inner man. Your inner man is your source for life and righteousness and health and love, for it is that part of you that connects and fellowships with My Holy Spirit. Through your spirit I feed and direct the rest of you: your body, soul, and mind. You can't see your spirit, just as you cannot see your internal organs, but you can learn to recognize how your spirit works in relation to the other parts of your being. You are of great value and wonderfully made. I want every facet of you to fully function as I designed you to. Don't let your spirit grow flabby or dormant. Don't be ignorant of how to feed your spirit, like a person who ignorantly and impulsively feeds his body junk food without paying attention to how his eating habits affect his health and well-being.”
Since we live by the Spirit, let us fellowship with Him and keep in step with Him!
