The Destructive Nature Of Man's Human Spirit

Life sets before us an interesting journey of discovery. Within that journey we record what our eyes perceive as beauty, what our hearts cherish as food for the soul and what our spirit learns of eternity. Hence every endeavor in life relies upon body, soul and spirit to give meaning to our existence. Of course we do discover what our eyes take in and what our hearts embrace isn’t always so beautiful. Where God sits enthroned in heaven and provides us life, liberty and constancy; endless streams of man made reason often invites compromise and levels of constraint. The perfect world that we long to embrace is divided between two masters but I am referring to a divided heart in man.

The First Adam (Flesh)

At the time of creation God breathed into Adam the breath of life and in that moment He instilled within man a measure of faith. Adam believed God and relied upon His glory, counsel, and eternity to make sense of his existence. That initial bond between him and His Creator represented intimacy within a cloud of glory. This fellowship also depended on open lines of communication and it was by Adams “natural human spirit” that he could connect with his God and King.

Man’s human spirit would also serve him within the created order. As a help meet was provided him in Eve, each reference to them being made “one in the flesh” included common bonds within body, soul and spirit (STRONGS H1320). In fact all of humanity would also share in this tripartite nature, though bonds would bring about different relational results. For four thousand years this was the standard that defined humanities faith but also their many sins (Ezk 13:3).

As natural man walked away from God the glory departed and man was left to his own devises. In a fallen environment man would not only embrace many worldly schemes, but would be moved to communicate with the dark side. Man’s natural human spirit would be the receiver that would bow to demonic influences in life.

The Second Adam (Spirit)

As time progressed early Judeo history gained God’s attention. For the sake of reestablishing fellowship with His people God proclaimed a day that a Redeemer would come and give His children a new heart.

Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

What salvation did for us was to make us alive again in Jesus in order to return to relationship with the Father. The key here is our spirit has been made new in Christ and has become joined in oneness with God’s Spirit on the inside; we are God’s temple.

1 Corinthians 6:17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

This offers us a one on one link with the Creator that can’t be high-jacked by foreign entities. It’s a completely different line of communication that doesn’t deviate from speaking the truth to us. It’s a voice; or we could say, “It’s a righteous standard that continually impresses itself upon us”. As foreign concepts come near we hold them up to the light of Jesus for comparison. This includes letting the Word of God speak to us with Spiritual truth taught by the Holy Spirit, explaining Spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words (1Cor.2:13).

This line of communication accesses;

• The voice of God
• The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
• Answered prayer
• Gifts of the Spirit
• Spiritual counsel
• Spiritual discernment
• Five fold ministry
• Walking by the Spirit

Jew and gentile alike could now come to know a new way to preserve intimacy and a right relationship with the Godhead.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Which Choice?

From this day forward the believer would live in the promise of a new life, and gain a new spiritual connection with his God and King. Yet besides the bibles confirmation that we have been made new, we still live within a natural world. That aspect of humanity is still dependent on a natural human form of exchange. But that can just as easily speak to the old heart within the believer. We still have to communicate with our neighbor, with our spouse or maintain unity with others in realms of business or finance.

But let us also consider that as believers that have a door number one (old) and a door number two (new); we can make strides to speak to a natural world by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. When we are obligated to approach the world on its own terms we can maintain constancy in Christ and act as a witness of His saving grace.

As much as I would love to highlight that as being our proper response in all situations of life it’s not realistic. This is especially true because we haven’t regarded the existence of two ways in faith.

Which Voice?

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

When fleshly reason usurps the counsel of God it will naturally encourage old spirit to spirit exchanges. Certainly the Spirit of God will continue to speak to us from a place of inner sanctuary, but confusion arises when our old man gives equal time to worldly wants and desires. If we have been subject to compromise we should then start to question how we have been built up within natural worlds; but also how we have been built up in faith.

Of course a natural world doesn’t think in terms of “an old man or a spiritual new man”. Yet without the Churches own recognition that there a two doors into spiritual worlds we can become compromised in our faith.

For instance; since the O.T. relationship was based on natural spirit and the N.T. is based on a “new spirit in man” the Christian would be wise to only enter the O.T. through the finished work of Christ. To adopt O.T. principles (The Prophetic voice, O.T. doctrine, a messianic movement etc), without relying upon a new heart has the potential of creating a counterfeit view of God; or better said “a counterfeit god”. Proof there is a problem has something to do with those forty thousand denominations all claiming a right connection with but One God. But that then also speaks of doctrinal issues; some from door number one and others from door number two. This is also explains one of Paul the Apostle’s many rebukes in regards to early church matters. Old O.T. fleshly habits were hard to lay down leading to spiritual compromise.

2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Let me suggest that there is a simple cure for the confusion that has settled on us in similar fashion;

“Close the door to the old man’s interference in faith”

Where we gain freedom from physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual strongholds is found at the Cross and within salvation. Paul the Apostle is also the greatest proponent of this message because he understood that the Cross of Christ retained valuable transformative power.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Paul is even clearer as to how we put to death our fallen nature:

Romans 8:11-13 … if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Such a simple ongoing trust in the power of the Cross and the Holy Spirit’s ability to bring change to our person can shut up that which still speaks from within our old man’s spiritual connections.

Application

Jesus based on what you did on the Cross and by the Holy Spirit;

• Test by the Cross where my natural mans spirit remains open to the influence of men and demons alike regarding matters of faith towards God.
• Test by the Cross where I remain subject to any false god’s doctrine or practice coming through my natural man’s embrace of the Word.
• Test by the Cross where I remain subject to back door (natural spirit) influences for how I perform in body, soul, spirit, mind, will, emotions, conscience and subconscious, sexuality, identity, Christianity, family, marriage, communication, business, finances, and gender.
• Judge by the Cross the spiritual realm associated with these issues.

Jesus, You are the resurrection power that now saves me and makes me new.

The Destructive Nature of Man’s Human Spirit

We’ve been talking about how faith gets accessed and manipulated by outside spiritual influences. But I must add that the natural spirit in man, whether saved or unsaved, is prone to being terribly destructive within natural worlds. Due to the fall man’s commission to take dominion morphed into a drive to dominate even our fellow man. As humanity came under the Devil’s control it created inequality among men. This is the basis for why we live in a war torn world. If man is given the opportunity he will enlist body, soul and spirit in a quest to gain superiority over others. For this reason we want to give special attention to the way in which the natural human spirit responds.

The Old Man’s Spirit

Unlike body and soul, the spirit of man isn’t limited in its reach. Being of a spiritual substance it has the ability to project beyond the flesh to capture its wants and desires. Scripture gives us some examples of the spirit of man working independently of the body;

1 Corinthians 5:4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,

2 Kings 5:26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you?

From this perch, the natural man’s spirit functions in one of two unique and crippling ways.

• In one instance, he seeks to reach out and connect with the natural world.
• In another, he seeks to draw to himself other forms of spiritual support.

Connects With the Natural World

Most notably, the natural man’s spirit seeks to create spirit to spirit links. In simple terms it’s a spiritual line of communication that allows two parties to interact and converse with one another. Thoughts and suggestions get spiritually passed from one source to another. This can be based on links with;

• One person’s spirit to another.
• Many people’s spirits united.
• One person’s spirit communicating with a demon.
• Many people controlled and communicating with other powers.

Connections with the Spirit of Man

Probably the only healthy unbridled spirit to spirit link left to the discretion of mankind, relates to married couples and that which comes about through the marriage union. Our close proximity to one another makes natural spirit connections rewarding and emotionally fulfilling as we bond with our significant other; but, even here the need to challenge improper connections maybe necessary.

When we remain divided in our loyalties it’s the equivalent of inviting other people into the union. For example; in our early years family plays a significant role in shaping our world view, but the Bible also suggests that a man should eventually leave his Father and Mother and cleave unto his wife. Hence there is room for making an adjustment in how our natural spirit remains plugged into Dad, Mom or even siblings.

Likewise a marriage may suffer violation if there exist a history of past or present infidelity. Once breached it allows a third party (or more) to interject foreign thoughts and ideas into the marriage union. Interjecting thoughts also comes about through general exchanges as well.

Drawing To Self Spiritual Support – Spiritual Projections

A spiritual projection is accomplished when our natural man’s spirit purposes to extend its reach into the lives of others. Spiritual projections are more common than you might think. Here are some projections that you might be able to relate to.

• When driving down the road you have a sense that the guy behind you wants to pass, even though he is still a half mile back.
• When driving; you sense people pushing, dominating or guarding their territory or spot on the road.
• When dealing with salespeople, you loose your ability to say no.
• When dealing with certain relationships you find yourself losing your voice or the ability to constructively put two sentences together.
• In some relationships you feel pushed away, though no physical or emotional signs communicate this.
• In some relationships you sense how someone feels about you without any tell tale physical or emotional hints (anger, fear, rejection, or love etc.)
• People that have suffered abuse may seek to maintain their sense of safety by spiritually controlling and pushing others away.
• People who communicate for a living tend to project in order to drive home their message.
• Although most of us are not consciously aware that we project there are some who understand that their spirit is actively engaging others. One who is projecting can;
• Control or manipulate individuals or groups (Men, women, children, authority figures, etc.).
• Discern demonic activity apart from God’s gift of discernment.
• Look into the lives of others and read their thoughts; their mail.
• Meet people in spirit over a significant distance (astral projection).
• Monitor conversations of others over a distance.
• Plug into the lives of other people.
• Seek to avoid people in advance of a confrontation.
• Seek to win arguments and gain favor through spiritual means.
• Spiritually implant or interject a particular thought or accusation into the lives of others.
• Watch people in spirit over a significant distance. (Ever feel as if you were being watched?)

This same ability can unwittingly be used to gain control over people groups. This can include realms of politics, business or religion. Those that gain a dominant foothold in this way begin by appealing to the appetites of others; offering them promise, position or favor. When people are in agreement with the method they willingly open up in spirit and ride along on the proverbial coat tails of that leader. However this dominant figurehead can now spiritually monitor or manipulate that which is perceived as their property or under their jurisdiction. This is a common cult means of control and dominance, which includes demonic support associated with a leader’s lifestyle.

Application

God on my behalf;

• Test by the Cross where I have succumb to having an open natural spirit and allowing others (Name some people) to spiritually project into my life.
• Test by the Cross where I have succumbed to having an open natural spirit through my participation in certain activities (Name an event) and while being subject to its compromised leadership (Name leadership).
• Judge by the Cross the spiritual realm associated with these issues.
• Jesus, You are the resurrection power that now saves me.

This oppressive form of control is what begins to make way for another common type of spiritual exchange.

Channeling Man’s Spirit

By being overcome by a projection it means that we become an extension of another person’s will. In this way we begin to lose the ability to self govern or even find motivation in life apart from the interests of our subjugator.

These open doors can be initiated by well meaning people; family members, authority figures, or social groups that genuinely want to add new ideas and doctrines to our way of life. Yet they are utilizing an old Adamic method in order to push for results. In this regard when we are subservient to these relationships we can find ourselves channeling their interests, ideals, assurances, arguments, attitudes, emotions; or their likes and dislikes. However, by being linked we are also inviting someone or something else to speak through us. The question then for each of us is:

Job 26:4 Who has helped you utter these words? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?

A dominant projection coming from others can literally take over our mind and heart.

Kevin suffered the loss of his wife and two sons to divorce. But there were opportunities for him to connect with his kids on a regular basis. Yet besides the adjustment that takes place when parents separate, there appeared to be an added struggle noticeable in Kevin’s youngest son. Some how in the boy there was great anger and disdain for his Dad and it was certainly contrary to his normal light hearted nature.

As Kevin went to God regarding the problem it became clear that the anger was coming from his ex-spouse. In this respect the wife was projecting her disdain for Kevin through the life and spirit of their youngest son. So Kevin prayed that his son would no longer be a spiritual conduit of the wife’s anger. Within minutes the happy countenance returned to the boy followed by an uninitiated “I love you Dad!”

Not surprising this choice to be linked in spirit is not always seen as a violation. It can start with our own willingness to submit to a figure head. When we are insecure or feel void of our own identity we will seek to plug into (channel) the life of someone more successful.

A recognized example may include how we have asked for counsel from someone regarding a relationship. They may have suggested that we say certain words of praise or rebuttal, yet the words didn’t reflect our own thoughts; they reflected the thoughts and convictions of the counselor. Thus we may have agreed to depend on the strength that comes from them in order to be confident when speaking or acting upon a matter. Here are some other examples of shared thoughts, experiences and mannerisms that come about through spirit to spirit links:

• Emulating traits that represent someone else’s lifestyle, faith or personality.
• Channeling another person’s good and evil expectations.
• Accepting an implanted accusation or curse.
• Carrying forward another person’s world view.
• Carrying forward another person’s religious view.
• Seeking security in someone else’s covering.
• Tapping into another person’s insights, motivation or work ethics.
• Tapping into a leader’s agenda.
• Adopting a leader’s inflection in speech or in music.
• Behavior and actions mimicking someone else’s life and example of success.
• Behavior and actions mimicking someone else’s sin, depravity or issues of failure.

In such cases we are not only partaking of a person’s lifestyle but also tapping into their dark side. You see, within fallen kingdoms there is no regulator; no governor, separating the good from the bad. From this perch human and demonic powers are able to enter through the door of our natural spirit and interject thoughts and ideas that encourage worldly and destructive results.

(Let me reemphasize that Christians can be susceptible to spiritual intrusion. (Eph. 6:12, 1Tim 4:1, Col.2:8, Matt 5:37, James 4:7)

Demonic Spirit to Spirit Ties

Ephesians 2:1-3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

In a general sense worship of creation opens up all sorts of destructive spirit to spirit doors. This also means we expect spiritually charged results to naturally compliment much of our human experience. This is not just in regards to sinful activity; but everywhere that we have become used to feeding our natural flesh we can invite a spiritual presence to enhance the experience (Belief + faith = fallen spiritual ties).
This is the case when religion has never met the Savior.

Close the Door

Depending on the way in which life has progressed you may need to give special attention to anyone of the above points agreement. Dealing with “improper” ties with people and powers is a valuable step in the right direction. Notice I said “improper”. There are aspects of life that flourish by our agreements in spirit. The family is one of those places that spirit to spirit links can thrive. But as you can guess the fallen nature disrupts a perfect work even there. In that light we call upon the Holy Spirit to decide what is and what is not a healthy link. For that matter we allow the Holy Spirit to decide to what extent other relationships should retain spiritual bonds of trust.

Application

Jesus based on what you did on the Cross and by the Holy Spirit;

• Test by the Cross where my natural mans spirit remains active and an open door regarding worldly matters that are doing me harm. (Name some)
• Test by the Cross where I have an open natural spirit that invites men, organizations and a demonic realm to do me harm. (Name some)
• Test by the Cross where I have purposed to linked with others for improper reasons in physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual ways.
• Test by the Cross where I have improperly linked with others in spirit for what I thought were good reasons that failed.
• Test by the Cross where I myself have improperly projected into the lives of others; I repent God.
• Judge by the Cross the spiritual realm associated with these issues.
• Jesus, You are the resurrection power that now saves me and makes me new.

If you want to look deeper into the subject then ask for the free PDF book “Lord I want to Change”.

Free PDF Version ———————- Send an E-mail message to [email protected] and in the “subject” heading abbreviate the title. I’ll send it shortly.

• Lord I want to Change = Lwc