Within – Without
Let us look at a very interesting Quote, and then evaluate it from the “Holy Spirit Side” and not from the “Flesh and Sin Side.” So let us start with the “Human – Flesh Side” first. Quote; “When man is a partaker of the divine nature, the love of Jesus will be an abiding principle in the soul, and self and its peculiarities will not be exhibited. But it is sad to see those who should be vessels unto honour, indulging in the gratification of the lower nature, and walking in paths that conscience condemns. The corruption within unites with the corruption without, and men professing to be followers of Christ, fall to a low level, always mourning over their shortcomings, but never overcoming, and bruising Satan under their feet. Guilt and condemnation constantly enshroud the soul, and the cry of such might well be, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Through indulgence in sin, self-respect is destroyed; and when that is gone, respect for others is lessened, because we are under the impression that others are as unrighteous as we are ourselves.” {PH089 13}
Opposite Quote, from a Holy Spirit led Person’s walk; “When any man is a partaker of the divine nature, the love of Jesus will be an abiding principle in the soul, and self and its peculiarities will not ever be exhibited. But it is wonderful to see those who are vessels unto honour, subduing and conquering the lower nature, and then walking in paths of Righteousness. The Spirit of God within unites with the Divine without, and men professing to be followers of Christ, actually do live as Christ would, and are doing what Christ would, and by their overcoming the Flesh, they are bruising Satan under their feet. Victory over sin and evil tendencies constantly enshroud the soul, and the cry of Victory in Jesus rings out continually from their lips. Through victory after victory over sin and the Flesh, love for others blossoms; and when that is achieved, they become active in the “Gospel Commission” and seek to actively save the souls of all those around them for Victory in Jesus Christ, and they also gain Eternal Life. {Adapted}
It is all down to which path are you actually daily walking on? That makes a huge difference in the two available Eternal Outcomes. It is all down to who has controlling influence in the life, is it “The Flesh” unto Death or is it “The Holy Spirit” unto Life Eternal. The story is told of a young person who was troubled about this constant inner turmoil and conflict, so he asked the old tribal wise man, who wisely replied; Inside of each of us we have two Wolves struggling for the mastery, one is Pure and Good and the other is Bad and Evil. To which the youth then asked, well which one wins? The wise old man replied, “The one you Feed.” Quote; “Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices, must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. {FLB 241}
Quote; “The apostle sought to teach the believers how important it is to keep the mind from wandering to forbidden themes or from spending its energies on trifling subjects. Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices, must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness. “Gird up the loins of your mind,” Peter wrote, “be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; . . . not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” {AA 518}
Back to the beginning, this should always be you! If not, then “In Christ,” always obedient to the leadings of the “Holy Spirit,” start today to make this is a reality in your life. “When any man is a partaker of the divine nature, the love of Jesus will be an abiding principle in the soul, and self and its peculiarities will not ever be exhibited. But it is wonderful to see those who are vessels unto honour, subduing and conquering the lower nature, and then walking in paths of Righteousness. The Spirit of God within unites with the Divine without, and men professing to be followers of Christ, actually do live as Christ would, and are doing what Christ would, and by their overcoming the Flesh, they are bruising Satan under their feet. Victory over sin and evil tendencies constantly enshroud the soul, and the cry of Victory in Jesus rings out continually from their lips. Through victory after victory over sin and the Flesh, love for others blossoms; and when that is achieved, they become active in the “Gospel Commission” and seek to actively save the souls of all those around them for Victory in Jesus Christ, and they also gain Eternal Life.”
Dear Reader; Let us continually resolve to “Walk the Walk” and “Talk the Talk,” so that all who meet us will clearly see that we are “Christians” and not some weak semblance of a Believer, because we are powerfully “Spirit Led.”
