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NATURES OF MANKIND |
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that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self,
which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
(Ephesians 4:22-24) |
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Last Update 02/01/08
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 The photograph to the left could imply that humans have two natures, forever in conflict with one another. However, the New Testament teaches a totally different truth.
A Kingdom Divided. "And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand" (Matthew 12:25).
The Evil and Good Heart. "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders" (Matthew 15:18-19); "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart" (Luke 6:45).
Good and Bad Trees. "For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush (Luke 6:43-44).
Fresh and Bitter water. "Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh" (James 3:11-12).
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There is not a dual nature in mankind. There is either an evil nature or a divine nature. Evil behaviors indicate an evil heart while good behaviors indicate a good heart. |
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DUEL NATURES? |
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The Sin Nature. The word translated "old" in the phrase "old self" comes from the Greek word (pa li os') and it has been translated old; former. It has the idea of something that is antique, not recent, and worn out. |
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Before you became a Christian, your old self controlled you. Your old self controlled your beliefs, thoughts, feeling thinking-patterns, observable behaviors, and body-emotions. Your old self was in league with the world and the devil. It was that part of you that worked against God. The Sin Nature (old self): |
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You inherited your "old self" because of Adam's transgression (see Romans 5:17). |
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It is the "old" or "former" self (see Ephesians 4:22-24). |
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It is not born of God (see 1 John 3:9). |
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It is of the devil (see 1 John 3:8). |
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It is the "flesh" (see Romans 8:13; 7:5). |
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It is the sin nature…children of wrath (see Ephesians 2:3,4). |
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It is demonstrated by the "deeds" of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21). |
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It is "being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful" (Romans 1:29-31). |
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It is foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another (see Titus 3:3). |
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It restrains the truth (see Romans 1:18). |
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It is worthless in motive, opinion, and thought (see Romans (1:21). |
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Born Again. That which distinguishes a non-Christian from a Christian is the "new birth" or becoming a "new creation." This is what Paul is talking about when he says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). The word translated creature comes from the Greek word (ktis' is) and it has been translated creation or what is created or creature. Paul says that IF anyone is IN Christ, he is a new creature or creation. The old disappears and the new comes. |
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The Divine Nature. The word translated new in the phrase "new self" comes from the Greek word (ki nos') and it has been translated new; of new quality; and unused. The Divine Nature (new self): |
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The "new self" is the nature that was inherited through Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). |
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It is the "new" or "unused" self (see Ephesians 4:24). |
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It is a "human being" or "person" (see Ephesians 4:24). |
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It is the divine nature (see 2 Peter 1:4). |
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It is God's nature (see Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20). |
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It is joining with the Lord into one spirit (see 1 Corinthians 6:11). |
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It is a "new creation," and we are to wear it (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). |
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It is to be worn: put the "new self" on (see Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). |
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It is the "Spirit" (see Romans 8:4,6,9,11,14). |
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It is created in righteousness and holiness of the truth (see Ephesians 4:24). |
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It practices righteousness (see 1 John 3:7). |
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The Nature That Controls You. The Christian life is all about learning how your new self operates in your every day life. It is about taking off the Sin Nature and putting on the Divine Nature. It is about acknowledging that your Sin Nature is dead, laying aside the residual effects of the dead Sin Nature, and wrapping yourself in the Divine Nature and living in its power. |
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Even though your old self is dead, you still have the residual effects of your old self. Your "dead" old self influences your six-step mental process, belief system, observable behaviors, and body-emotions. It also influences how you interpret your own observable behaviors and body-emotions. This interpretation provides feedback to your mind that reinforces the deception that your old self is still in control. You can choose to function with the Sin Nature in control. However, it doesn't have to be that way. |
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When you continue to identify and eliminate the residual effects of the old self, your life becomes more Christ-like through this process. The process is called "renewing the mind." Remember, it is what you believe that determines your thoughts, observable behaviors, and body-emotions. Therefore, when you believe that your "new self" is in control, you will sin less and less and experience more and more victories. Remember, you are a saint who is systematically eliminating sin(s) from your daily life. You can choose to have the Divine Nature in control of your life. |
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The contents of the web page are excerpted from Chapter 4, Transitioning to a New Life in the book Natures of Mankind Psychology. |
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© 2007 by Jerold L. Reed All Rights Reserved |
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Contact the New testament Psychology Institute for special permission to copy and distribute this information. |
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