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John 15:7, 8; [John 6:63; Romans 7;18]; Romans 10:9, [I Peter 1:23]; John 3:6; Romans 7:18; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:2, 3; II Peter 1:2-4; I Corinthians 2:14, 12; Ephesians 4:21,22; [Colossians 3:9, 10]’ Romans 8:5-8; Jeremiah 17:9, 10; Galatians 4:6, 17; [Ephesians 2:10]; Galatians 5:19-23; Romans 7:14-25; 8:1; 12:2; II Corinthians 10;1; Romans 6:5-15; 13:14; [Colossians 2:1; Psalm 25:5; 31:3; 61:2]; Psalm 119:133

Without understanding the two different natures, life becomes frustrating for many believers. We must not only see what these natures are, but learn how to accentuate the one, while eliminating the other.

The scriptures declare by nature we are all descended from Adam and are therefore partakers of his sinful, fallen nature of the flesh. The nature of the flesh profits nothing and in it dwells no good thing. Modern psychologists and sociologists say everyone has a "spark of the divine" and "a little good exists in everybody." These beliefs are not true and contradict the scriptures which say that in the flesh there is no good thing. We must first realize we cannot improve or perfect the "old nature" from Adam. The only possibility of good fruit results from God having first placed the potential in the heart of man. By the natural birth, every man inherits a natural nature. But the new, spiritual birth, man inherits a spiritual nature. The new birth begins when one confesses with the mouth the Lord Jesus and believes in his heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). We then receive the seed, the gift of holy spirit, making us children of God.

The two natures are totally opposed to one another. The flesh represents the natural man, which the scriptures refer to as the "old man," whose mind is carnal. The heart of this man is only evil continually (Jeremiah 17:9). The spirit represents the new man who has a divine nature. He is referred to as the new man with a spiritual mind and a new heart which God gives at the new birth. These two natures war against each other and produce either the works of the flesh (by the old nature) or the fruit of the spirit (by the new nature).

When one is born again, the potential is received to live by the new nature. It is like a seed in a packet. Until the seed is planted and nurtured with water and air, it cannot produce the fruit. We must put on the new man, which takes freedom of will, a personal decision by one who is a disciplined one.

In Romans 7, Paul speaks of the conflict between the flesh and the spirit. Many of us can identify. He was "carnal," a man of flesh who had inherited sinful flesh. Without the understanding of these two natures, he could not handle the confusion of the conflict. God will never overstep our freedom of will. We must choose which nature to walk in. Like a good Father, God tells us what is good and what to avoid, but the decision to do one or the other is ours.

Romans 12:2 says we are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind. This is a free-will decisions. II Corinthians 10:5 speaks of bringing into captivity EVERY thought to the obedience of Christ. We must do that by disciplining ourselves to seek the face of God in prayer and in His Word. We are to put on the mind of Christ by choosing to think as he did. The scriptures said he always did the will of the Father.

We reckon the old man dead. To be victorious over these two natures raging against each other, we must seek God’s help through His Word and prayer. We can overcome the old man nature so we may have good fruit in our lives and therefore glorify our God.


#TOM 01/02 Two Natures of Every Christian -- Jan. 27, 2002 ©2002 / Steven A. Michels 79:41 minutes
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"Two Natures of Every Christian" -- Rev. Steven A. Michels John 15:7, 8; [John 6:63; Romans 7;18]; Romans 10:9, [I Peter 1:23]; John 3:6; Romans 7:18; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:2, 3; II Peter 1:2-4; I Corinthians 2:14, 12; Ephesians 4:21,22; [Colossians 3:9, 10]’ Romans 8:5-8; Jeremiah 17:9, 10; Galatians 4:6, 17; [Ephesians 2:10]; Galatians 5:19-23; Romans 7:14-25; 8:1; 12:2; II Corinthians 10;1; Romans 6:5-15; 13:14; [Colossians 2:1; Psalm 25:5; 31:3; 61:2]; Psalm 119:133 Without understanding the two different natures, life becomes frustrating for many believers. We must not only see what these natures are, but learn how to accentuate the one, while eliminating the other. The scriptures declare by nature we are all descended from Adam and are therefore partakers of his sinful, fallen nature of the flesh. The nature of the flesh profits nothing and in it dwells no good thing. Modern psychologists and sociologists say everyone has a "spark of the divine" and "a little good exists in everybody." These beliefs are not true and contradict the scriptures which say that in the flesh there is no good thing. We must first realize we cannot improve or perfect the "old nature" from Adam. The only possibility of good fruit results from God having first placed the potential in the heart of man. By the natural birth, every man inherits a natural nature. But the new, spiritual birth, man inherits a spiritual nature. The new birth begins when one confesses with the mouth the Lord Jesus and believes in his heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). We then receive the seed, the gift of holy spirit, making us children of God. The two natures are totally opposed to one another. The flesh represents the natural man, which the scriptures refer to as the "old man," whose mind is carnal. The heart of this man is only evil continually (Jeremiah 17:9). The spirit represents the new man who has a divine nature. He is referred to as the new man with a spiritual mind and a new heart which God gives at the new birth. These two natures war against each other and produce either the works of the flesh (by the old nature) or the fruit of the spirit (by the new nature). When one is born again, the potential is received to live by the new nature. It is like a seed in a packet. Until the seed is planted and nurtured with water and air, it cannot produce the fruit. We must put on the new man, which takes freedom of will, a personal decision by one who is a disciplined one. In Romans 7, Paul speaks of the conflict between the flesh and the spirit. Many of us can identify. He was "carnal," a man of flesh who had inherited sinful flesh. Without the understanding of these two natures, he could not handle the confusion of the conflict. God will never overstep our freedom of will. We must choose which nature to walk in. Like a good Father, God tells us what is good and what to avoid, but the decision to do one or the other is ours. Romans 12:2 says we are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind. This is a free-will decisions. II Corinthians 10:5 speaks of bringing into captivity EVERY thought to the obedience of Christ. We must do that by disciplining ourselves to seek the face of God in prayer and in His Word. We are to put on the mind of Christ by choosing to think as he did. The scriptures said he always did the will of the Father. We reckon the old man dead. To be victorious over these two natures raging against each other, we must seek God’s help through His Word and prayer. We can overcome the old man nature so we may have good fruit in our lives and therefore glorify our God.