The apostle Paul makes an interesting observation while writing a letter to the Church at Rome. Human beings have grown accustom to operating in the natural by following bodily organs. If you know your body, some can sense an illness about to conceive, an abnormal pain and when you’ve eaten too much. Yet, Paul takes this concept deeper, referring to sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh. These internal obstacles make operating in the supernatural extremely difficult.
When we were living in the flesh (mere physical lives), the sinful passions that were awakened and aroused up by [what] the Law [makes sin] were constantly operating in our natural powers (in our bodily organs, in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh), so that we bore fruit for death, Romans 7:5.
A complete picture of this internal struggle is provided in the passage below. The theological term for this wrestling match between good and evil is dualism. Dualism believes in two equal but conflicting powers that reveal the distinction between God and the world, and between matter and mind. C.S. Lewis once said, “Christianity agrees with Dualism that this universe is at war. But it does not think this is a war between independent powers. It thinks it is a civil war, a rebellion, and that we are living in a part of the universe occupied by the rebel.” The rebel inside or Lucifer himself?
But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). 17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. 18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law, Galatians 5:16-18.
This is the barrier that currently exists, a byproduct of original sin, due to Adam and Eve’s fall in the Garden of Eden. The only way to operate in the supernatural is by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. As a Christian, Paul writes about having an obligation to the Spirit to those who believe, Romans 8:10-11. During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the analogy of good deeds to elevate expectations for followers of Christ, Matthew 5:43-47. Therefore, instead of just doing enough to get by, its time for believers to begin operating in the supernatural daily, Galatians 5:25.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 