THE MIND OF CHRIST The Spirit Cannot Occupy the Realm of Flesh Conversely, that which comes from the Spirit cannot occupy the lower realm of "flesh." That is a domain for which those "born of the Spirit" are not suited. Sanctified reason tells us that the realm from which we had to be delivered -- "this present evil world" (*Gal 1:4) -- cannot provide anything that makes for spiritual superiority. A blessing cannot originate in a cursed realm. Valid wisdom must come "down from above" (James 1:17). The wisdom that comes from the earth is "earthly, sensual, and demonic" (James 3;15). This is the wisdom that is "foolishness" with God (1 Cor 3:19). In his infinite wisdom, God has discounted and repudiated worldly wisdom as a means to spiritual advantage (1 Cor 1:21). -- Tomorrow:
"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:11-16, NASB).
Devotion 7 of 28
Adam could not remain in the paradise of God after he had sinned. He was expelled from that blessed domain. What is even more, lofty heavenly personalities, "the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every direction," prohibited the reentry of Adam into that paradise (Gen 3:24). Neither can his progeny occupy that sacred realm. "Flesh" is confined to the defiled realm, and cannot rise above it. To put it another way, flesh, or nature, can create no way to get past the cherubim and flaming sword!
There is not a single shred of spiritual illumination that can come from the condemned realm--the flesh, or that which is "natural." As interesting as linguistics and other sciences may be, they cannot remove the lid from the "ark of the covenant," so to speak. They cannot clarify or expound spiritual realities. The flesh is an arid desert in which nothing spiritual or eternal grows or can grow! There is no earthly science that can give the ultimate advantage to the person in Christ. There is no human discipline that can polish the stone of truth. No philosophical approach to Scripture can lift the veil from the heart. The "flesh" can only produce after its kind.
There are some remarkable things said about this in Scripture. They have proved to be troublesome ground for sophists, but they are a delight to the heart of those that choosing to live by faith.
"The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass" (Isa 40;6-7). " . . . but the flesh is weak" (Matt 26:41). "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing" (John 6:63). "So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom 8:5). "For if you live according to the flesh you will die" (Rom 8:15). "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit" (Gal 5:17). For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; who set their mind on earthly things" (Phil 3:19).
There is good reason for the consistent and harmonious declarations concerning "the flesh." This is the natural part of man, and it can rise no higher than Adam in his fallen state. The understanding of this is fundamental to perceiving the necessity of the new birth. An astute and disciplined mind can crucify Christ Jesus. A spiritual mind apprehends Him. An educated and cultured mind can scoff at the idea of the resurrection. A spiritual mind energetically pursues the power of Christ's resurrection. People who have an academic understanding of the Scripture can stone Stephen. A spiritual mind will gladly receive the word--whatever it declares.
Let be clear, no child of God puts a premium upon ignorance. The mind is a stewardship, and is to be given to God. Thoughtlessness is out of order in the Kingdom of God, and thinking like a child is something to be put away. The culture of the mind and the establishing of our thoughts, however, can only come from exposure to heavenly things. That is because flesh cannot rise above flesh. Or, as Jesus put it, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh" (John 3:6).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, deliver me from the notion that anything good can be found in my flesh.