Let's begin in vs. 16. To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you shall bring forth children; yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."
Genesis 3:17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life [18] "Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field; [19] By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
1. ______________________________________________________.
2. ______________________________________________________.
Genesis 3:22-23 Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"-- [23] therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken.
Prior to this point in man's relationship with God, man was a tri-parte being, made in the image of God, spiritually alive. The law of sin and death is now evoked, and death comes to planet earth. Man dies both spiritually and physically, and is no longer able to commune with the Father, which means that all future knowledge, until Pentecost, is dependent upon our five senses. After millenniums of limited access to truth, even a Spiritually dominated, born again person, may have difficulty separating themselves from worldly thinking.
(Chapter 2 pg 1)
Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; [17] but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die."
Because of Adam's disobedience, dominion of the planet passed from God's goodness, to Satan, the epitome of evil. 1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
Jesus confirms this view when He asks the Father to protect His disciples from the one who is in control of planet earth. John 17:15 "I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one."
Since man was created good, in the image of God, did he have any need to have access to evil? Now that he is in league with the source of evil, mankind no longer has ready access to God's goodness?
Matthew 13:19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road."
1 John 3:12 . . . as Cain, who was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous.
(Chapter 2 pg 2)
Dr. Gottier wants us to observe the wisdom of this world, which comes from the pit of hell, and says "we ought to let our children sample everything there is in life--good and bad -- and when they are older they can choose for themselves."
Tactic one: "Rephrase the Word of God to produce the opposite of God's intent."
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?"
Tactic two: "tell a bold face lie! Genesis 3:3-4 " but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.'" [4] And the serpent said to the woman, "You surely shall not die!"
Compilers Note: Eve, displays a propensity to be used as a tool in Satan's condemnation of God, by embellishing what God did say, "you shall not touch it." She felt that she had to add a little emphasis to help God out.
Tactic three: Satan tells enough truth to get you to accept what he is saying,
without showing you the total consequence, or the ultimate cost. This is a lie
that politicians of our day, often use; I wonder who is the source? Genesis 3:5
"For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and
you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
(Chapter 2 pg 3)
This statement infers, that God has ulterior motives for denying humans, access to the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil! Write "yes" to all that is implied in Satan's half truth? .
1. God is jealously guarding His position, and doesn't want humans to know as much as Him. _________
2. He is withholding secrets, to retain His superiority. __________.
3. God is afraid of a little competition. __________
Truth: The cost or consequence of eating of the fruit of that tree, would place man not on a plane equal with God, but rather, subservient to Satan himself.
Tactic four: intellectual appeal. Disobeying God would result in knowing good and evil, which translates to superior wisdom. Genesis 3:5-6 "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." [6] When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.
Adam and Eve already had total access to the Spirit of God and His wisdom. What they wanted, and what lost people want today, is for the rational mind and it's reasoning, to be superior to the revelation knowledge that comes from God's spirit. These same lies are at the root of all religions and humanistic thinking.
1. Cast doubt or deny the authority of God's word. Perhaps the most obvious example of this lie is the theory of evolution. It takes much more faith to accept evolution, which absolutely violates man's comprehension of the second law of thermodynamics (everything is in a state of decay) than to acquiesce to the Word of God which says that "in the beginning God created." Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
(Chapter 2 pg.4)
2. Evolution question the authenticity of God, His existence or if He does exist, His willingness to be involved in the affairs of men. The Word says in John 14:16
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
3. Man is of ultimate worth, therefore he is free to worship the creature rather than the Creator. Romans 1:22-23 Professing to be wise, they became fools, [23] and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Of the worlds major religions, mark "yes," next to those which have fallen pray to Satan's lies:
4 . Humanism fosters the religion of evolution; man as his own god, can by his own creative genius, solve all of his own problems, through the elevation of the human intellect and rational mind. Romans 1:18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
Romans 1:21-22. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing to be wise, they became fools,
(Chapter 2 pg. 5 )
What were they clothed in prior to sin that they could not see their nakedness? Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 2 Cor. 5:2-3 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; [3] inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked.
Genesis 3:8-13 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. [9] Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" [10] And he said, "I heard the sound of Thee in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself." [11] And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" [12] And the man said, "The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate." [13] Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
God's Judgement: Genesis 3:14 And the Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly shall you go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life."
(Chapter 2 pg. 6)
Genesis 3:16 To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you shall bring forth children; yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."
Genesis 3:17-19 Then to Adam He said: "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life." [18] "Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field; [19] by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (Death came to mankind and his body became perishable)
Genesis 3:22-24 Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"-- [23] therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. [24] So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every direction, to guard the way to the tree of life.
No longer would men and women be able to walk and commune with God as Adam and Eve did. The world that Adam and Eve now lived in was now the dominion of Satan, the master of evil. By their act of disobedience, the first couple relinquished their authority to Lucifer. Ephes. 2:1-2 And you were dead (Chapter 2 pg. 7)
in your trespasses and sins, [2] in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Does Satan really have the authority over this world, examine the words of Luke's record of the temptation of Jesus? Luke 4:5-7 And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. [6] And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. [7] "Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours."
The very foundations of God's justice, replete throughout Scripture, are found recorded here and carried out in Genesis chapters. 2 and 3. Genesis 2:17 "but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die."
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The argument that is put forth, is that Adam Lived another nine hundred and thirty years, therefore Scripture errors. The truth is, that Adam's spirit did die that day, no longer could he commune with the Father, as he once had. Adam was reduced to depending on his five senses to give him understanding. Two thoughts come to mind: one from Genesis 3:19 "till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
(Chapter 2 pg. 8)
The most profound death came at the spiritual level. It happened that day when Adam and Eve were cast from the garden, what is more important, they were no longer communing with the Father in fellowship. Not until God's provision on the cross, through Christ death and resurrection, was it possible for a man to be made spiritually alive again, able to commune directly with the Father, through His Spirit. Paul spells out the gospel for us in 2 Cor. 5:19-21 "namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. [20] Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. "
1 Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.
Adam was created in the image of God, body, soul and spirit. You and I were not born in that image of God, rather, we were born in the image of Adam-spiritually dead.
John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly."
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.
1 Cor. 2:14 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.
(Chapter 2 pg 9)
(Chapter 2 pg. 10)
Romans 5:10. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Ephes. 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
Col. 1:21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds . . .
Living without spiritual insight, in a world controlled by Satan, mankind is hopelessly lost, apart from God's intervention. By deceit, Jehovah God, receives the blame for Satan's dastardly deeds.
The context in John 10:10 refers to Satan as the thief because of his abduction of the dominion of earth, from man, by deceit. "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." Natural man blames God for the work of Satan which is to ______, _____ and ________.
(Chapter 2 pg. 11)
surrounded by men of equal ignorance, unable to grasped spiritual truth.
The evidence of the effects of the fall becomes evident in the first generation. Genesis 4:4-7 And Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; [5] but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. [6] Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? [7] "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Genesis 4:8-11 And Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. [9] Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" [10] And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. [11] "And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand."
Look at the results of Satan's agenda, within only a few generations after the fall: Genesis 6:5-7. Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. [6] And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. [7] And the Lord said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them."
Genesis 6:11-13 Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. [12] And God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. [13] Then God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth."
(Chapter 2 pg. 12)
____________, meaning that all men had _________________ their way upon the earth.
God found a remnant in righteous Noah. Through Noah God determined to rebuild the human race-His creation, in another attempt to restore righteousness to the earth. Genesis 6:9 These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.
Satan was still present, and the heart of man was still wicked, for he was still spiritually dead. Within the life time of those who were spared the destruction of the flood, rebellion again reared itself against God.
Compilers note: There is some aberrant teaching about the judgement of the sin of Ham, against Noah, that created the black races. Scientifically we know that there are only 4 genes that produce a man's skin pigment, and a persons' possession of the number of these determines their shade of brown. Only an albino is lacking skin pigment, and is therefore devoid of melaena. All others are people of color. This is why the dark-skinned Aborigines are classified as Caucasians.
Genesis 11:1-4 Now the whole earth used the same language and the same words. [2] And it came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. [3] And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly." And they used brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. [4] And they said, "Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name; lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth."
Genesis 11:5-8 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. [6] And the Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them. [7] "Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." [8] So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the whole earth; and they stopped building the city.
(Chapter 2 pg. 13)
Only a few generations after God scattered man over the earth, and confused their language, man once again is found in full rebellion against God. His pride amplified his sins. Genesis 18:20-21 And the Lord said, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. [21] "I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know."
Ezekiel 16:49-50 "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy, [having an abundance they squandered it on themselves-selfishly] [50] "Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it.
_________________________________________________________________
The book of Job egregiously portrays rational [without spiritual insight] man's dependency on sense evidence. Eliphaz, speaking to Job in Job 4:8, egotistically declares "According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble harvest it."
Job 5:27 "Behold this, we have investigated it, thus it is; Hear it, and know for yourself."
Example after example, is recorded in God's word, about the results of fallen man's limitations, his egotistical attempts to ascend above these limitations, and the satanical influence perpetrated through man's weakness. Summery judgement is rendered in Romans 1:21-22 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing to be wise, they became fools. The conclusion of the matter is "Professing to be ______, they [natural mankind] became ________.
Moses, speaking to Israel while they were still wandering, promises a time in the Land when God's rules and regulation shall prevail. Deut. 12:8 "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes."
Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.
Toward the end of the period of the judges, the depths of deprivation were so low, the priesthood so corrupt, that rarely, did God intervene. 1 Samuel 3:1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli. And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.
Dr. Gottier now points us to a passage in 2 Kings 17:7-18 which conclusively
revels the wicked rebellious heart of fallen man. Now this came about, because
the sons of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them
up from the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and
they had feared other gods [8] and walked in the customs of the nations whom
the Lord had driven out before the sons of Israel, and in the customs of the kings
of Israel which they had introduced. [9] And the sons of Israel did things
(Chapter 2 pg. 15)
secretly which were not right, against the Lord their God. Moreover, they built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. [10] And they set for themselves sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree, [11] and there they burned incense on all the high places as the nations did which the Lord had carried away to exile before them; and they did evil things provoking the Lord. [12] And they served idols, concerning which the Lord had said to them, "You shall not do this thing." [13] Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah, through all His prophets and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you through My servants the prophets." [14] However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God. [15] And they rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers, and His warnings with which He warned them. And they followed vanity and became vain, and went after the nations which surrounded them, concerning which the Lord had commanded them not to do like them. [16] And they forsook all the commandments of the Lord their God and made for themselves molten images, even two calves, and made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal. [17] Then they made their sons and their daughters pass through the fire, and practiced divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him. [18] So the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; none was left except the tribe of Judah.
(Chapter 2 pg. 16)
Romans 8:18-25 [NLT] Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. [19] For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. [20] Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. [21] All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. [22] For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. [23] And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. [24] Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. [25] But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
Jude, not quite so subtle as Paul, cuts right to the quick in his discussion of natural man and the fallen nature. Jude 1:10 But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.
(Chapter 2 pg 17)
renewed mind, demonstrating a keen understanding of the things of God. Paul defines the human mind as existing in one of three states, natural or unregenerate, carnal and spiritual. Dr. Gottier would like us now to focus on the natural or unregenerate person. Compilers note: A person is either with or without the indwelling person of the Holy Spirit. When a person repents and believes, God places with them His Holy Spirit. That person can then choose to either live in obedience, or remain "carnal," (without obedience and renewal). The state of obedience and submission results in the renewal of our minds, where the Holy Spirit of God changes the way we think and changes us into the image of Christ. This process is known as sanctification. Scripture tells us in Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. [NASB]
1 Cor. 2:12-14 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, [13] 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. [14] 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.
_________________________________________________________________________.
Since the natural man is spiritually dead, he has no spiritual input. To those persons who are born from above according to John 1:12-13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, [13] who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God"; Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to indwell them, to teach, guide, and counsel. John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 15:26 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me."
This is why the teaching of the word is foolish to the natural man. 1 Cor. 1:18 For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing, foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(Chapter 2 pg. 18)
1Cor. 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness."
In these next passages, Dr. Gottier would have us note God's assessment of the natural man and the natural mind, through the hand of the apostle Paul.
Ephes. 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
Ephes. 2:2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. [NLT]
Ephes. 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
Ephes. 2:4-6 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), [6] and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus,
(Chapter 2 pg.19)
2 Cor. 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, [4] in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Romans 1:18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. [NLT]
Romans 1:19-20 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. [20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Romans 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
(Chapter 2 pg. 20)
Romans 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
Romans 1:23. And exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Romans 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them.
Romans 1:25. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 1:26-27. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, [27] and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
Romans 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.
Romans 1:29-31 Being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, [30] slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
(Chapter 2 pg.21)
Romans 1:32 and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
Paul examines a little closer in these next passages the futility of the natural mind to understand spiritual concepts from God's view, especially the need for the cross, and the gift of God-Christ Jesus.
1 Cor. 1:17-18 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void. 18] For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor. 1:19-20 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside."[20] Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1 Cor. 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe .[22] For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; [23] but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, [24] but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
(Chapter 2 pg. 22)
1 Cor. 2:1-8 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. [2] For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. [4] And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. [6] Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; [7] but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; [8] the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
Compilers' note: Again let me bring to your mind the eternal law of forgiveness, to which even God chooses to submit: Hebrews 9:22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
1 Cor. 3:18-23 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become foolish that he may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness"; [20] and again, "The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless." [21] So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, [22] whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, [23] and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
(Chapter 2 pg.23)
2 Cor. 3:12-16 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, [13] and are not as Moses, who used to put a veil over his face that the sons of Israel might not look intently at the end of what was fading away. [14] But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. [15] But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; [16] but whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
2 Cor. 4:1-4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, [2] but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. [3] And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, [4] in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
This then is the human dilemma! Natural man is limited by his five senses and
the spiritual lies told to him by the enemy of our souls, Satan. How then can a
man be saved? Listen to Paul, in Acts 26:16,18, as he witnesses to king
Agrippa, telling him why he shares the gospel. In verse 16, Jesus is
commanding Paul: "But arise, and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have
appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness . . . [18] To open their
eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of
Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an
inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me."
(Chapter 2 pg. 24)
Can you see that the only hope of true, complete knowledge and wisdom, of having our minds renewed, is by turning to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and having the veil of spiritual darkness, kept there by Satan, removed?
2 Cor. 11:3 But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
Compilers note: remember that when Satan made his appeal to Adam and Eve, they were spiritually alive. His appeal was that their minds could possess knowledge that they, hither to, did not have access.
For emphasis let's reread Ephes. 2:1-3 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, [2] in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. [3] Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
Ephes. 5:6-8 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. [7] Therefore do not be partakers with them; [8] for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light
Col. 2:18-19 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship
of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about
what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. [19]
He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported
and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
[Niv] (Chapter 2 pg. 25)
Choosing to remain with Jesus, is like choosing to remain in an air-conditioned shelter during an oppressive heat cycle. You can choose not to remain, and leave the comfort and protection afforded, but what are your choices then? You must accept whatever the elements throw at you, oppressive heat, lightning or even hurricanes and tornados. So it is when we choose to reject Jesus and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Paul's words are rather harsh for the fellow who would lead others astray, also for those who follow such a deceiver.
1 Tim. 6:3-6 If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, [4] he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, [5] and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. [6] But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment.
Paul confirms the danger of following after the flesh, rejecting spiritual knowledge, in 1 Timothy. 6:20-21 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"-- [21] which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.
(Chapter 2 pg. 26)
Paul writes a rather dour warning for our time in 2 Tim. 3:1-5 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. [2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, [4] treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; [5] holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.
that surrounds us. That makes the biblical view _____________. Since most of the evolutionary view (information gathered by men, captive to rational thinking only, limited by the five senses), must be accepted by faith, in reality, It is the religious view.
"Because natural man is in rebellion against God, his preconceptions, and thus his theories, are going to be in direct conflict with divine truth." Again this is most plainly observed, in man's postulation of the theory of evolution, as scientific. Evolution can't be scientific, for it is neither provable nor observable, yet for worldly people, there is no middle ground.
Compilers' notes: quoted from "The revised QUOTE BOOK"
.In their attempt to deny the existence of a creator-a higher being, David E. Green (Institute for Enzyme Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison) and Robert F. Goldberger (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, )Molecular Insights into the Living Process's, Academic Press, New York, 1967, pp 406-407. "'However, the macromolecule-to-cell transition is a jump of fantastic dimensions, which lies beyond the range of testable hypothesis. In this area all is conjecture. The available facts do not provide a basis for postulating that cells arose on this planet. *
This is not to say that some paraphysical forces were at work. We simply wish to point out the fact that there is no scientific evidence. The physicist has learned to avoid trying to specify when time began and when matter was created, except within the framework of frank speculation. The origin of the precursor cell appears to fall into the same category of unknowables.'
*These scientist attempt to find middle ground by postulating that cells originated somewhere else and were brought to earth by some unexplained means. It still leaves open the question, who was their creator."
Matthew 19:4 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,"
Mark 13:19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now--and never to be equaled again.
Chapter 2 pg.28
Now readers: you may be asking, what about the fossil record? Let me quote from Mark Ridley (zoologist, Oxford University), 'Who doubts evolution?' New Scientist, vol.90 25 June 1981, p. 831 'In any case, no real evolutionist, whether gradualist or punctuationist, uses the fossil record as evidence in favor of the theory of evolution as opposed to special creation.' Romans 1:20. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Let me conclude this side note by a quote from Sir Fred Hoyle, (English astronomer, Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge University) and Chandra Wicramasinghe (Professor of Astronomy and Applied Mathematics at University College, Cardiff), 'Convergence to God', as quoted in Evolution from Space, J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd., London, 1981, pp 141 and 144, as they reluctantly conclude that life must have a designer. "It is therefore almost inevitable that our own measure of intelligence must reflect in a valid way the higher intelligence's to our left, even to the extreme idealized limit of God." Romans 1:21. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Without question and answer, let me encourage the reader to take to heart, Dr. Gottier's conclusion, in the matter of evolution. All satanically inspired theories are diametrically opposite to the truth of the word of God. The Father, the Son and their written word all declare the total creation, the universe and all that it contains, to be the perfect place for created man who was also created perfect, to live and to fellowship with his Creator. Contrast that to life beginning in some primordial soup, by chance, improving day by day, and in direct contrast to the second law of thermodynamics, that all things are in a fluctuating state of deterioration, Paul calls it blindness. Romans 1:21. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Romans 1:28. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.
( Chapter 2 pg 29)
1. God is not responsible for _________________, although, at times He uses confusion as a weapon against His enemies.
2. God is not the author of unrest or dissension, He is a God of __________.
Paul, goes on, from vs. 33 to 39, to illustrate order in the assembly, and concludes this portion of scripture in 1 Cor. 14:40 But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner.
Let's follow the scriptural teachings that lay out for us, to borrow a military term, the chain of command.
The ultimate authority lies with the Father and Jesus submitted to the Fathers' authority. John 6:38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."
John 4:34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work."
The church-not the building, but the individuals that make up the assembly (called the body of Christ), we are to submit corporately to the authority of Jesus. Ephes. 1:20-22 which He [God the Father] brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. [22] And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
Christ the living word, has through His word, left an authority chain for believers in this physical world to follow. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
1 Cor. 16:15-18 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), [16] that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. [17] And I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus; because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. [18] For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore, acknowledge such men.
As Christ is subject to the Father, we are subject to Christ, (as His bride) even so, God has set the authority (divine order) within the family. This authority is not that of a master and a slave; for a man to dominate his mate as a hired servant, for the word warns husbands in Col. 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Ephes. 5:22-25 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23]
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church,
He Himself being the Savior of the body. [24] But as the church is subject to
Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. [25]
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself up for her.
(Chapter 2 pg. 31)
Your argument against this divine order could revolve around the unjust or ungodly husband (a physical or psychologically abusive mate is another subject for another time). What is the wife's duty then? Col. 3:18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
The same argument could be used for an unjust or unrighteous government. The Word tells us to submit. Listen to Peter's counsel as the Holy Spirit writes through him in 1 Peter 2:13-16. Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, [14] or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. [15] For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. [16] Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
Ephes. 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), [3] that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
Again you might want to use the argument of the unsaved or unrighteous parents, but Scripture commands children to submit, as unto the Lord. God knows your situation and the trials that you are undergoing. What He expects from each of us is obedience to His Word. He goes on to give us the most unjust situation and still commands submission in Ephes. 6:5-8.
Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; [6] not by way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
(Chapter 2 pg. 32)
[7] With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, [8] knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
If we are to serve the Lord, it is essential that we observe divine order. In like manner, God has a divine order in the tripartite nature of man, to which we also must acquiesce. Chart 6 on page 113
(Chapter 2 pg. 33)
Chart 9 on page 119.
Chart 9 represents man the way that God intended
let's note the differences between fallen man and the man born again of the Spirit.
(Chapter 2 pg. 34)
What happens could be illustrated by taking an intelligent human being, who was raised in total isolation, perhaps on a little island in the middle of a vast ocean, who has never seen or heard of a railroad or a train. Transplant him alongside a set of railroad tracks and ask him to head in the same direction as the tracks. Lacking knowledge of locomotives, where would he most likely walk? Compare the disaster that would overtake him, as he tried to share the path with the locomotive streaming toward him, to a person devoid of Spiritual insight. Can you see the chaos that would likely develop when people operate on limited information? The natural man goes through life spiritually blind, lacking insight into the spiritual realm Now note the other half of the charts which will help explain the faulty thinking of the natural mind.
When passion rules the flesh demands instant gratification. The rebellious spirit of man knows no moral bounds, for morality demands a law, and where there is a law there must be an authority able to demand compliance. Read that authority as God -- which the spiritually dead man does not recognize.
Romans 1:28-32 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, [29] being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, [30] slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; [32] and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
The only restraint that bridles passion in the natural realm is reason. Reason is always filtered through self-interest, which is coined in the phrase, "live and let live." \ (Chapter 2 pg. 35)
There are then two ( often muddled together so that neither dominates), personality types; those ruled by reason, and those driven by passion. Both are severely handicapped, lacking spiritual input, apart from satanic influence.
John 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come."
What reason is to the natural man, faith is to the spiritual man, only superior. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Can you now understand the great gulf, that separates the natural man's mind, from the mind that is being spiritually renewed?
(Chapter 2 pg. 36)
the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to renew our minds. Romans 8:5-6 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. [6] For the mind set on the flesh is death but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
How do we set our minds on spiritual things? It does not occur automatically, you must choose, to have your mind renewed. This is why so many who call themselves Christians, saved yet immature in their faith, continue to think and act as the natural man.
Romans 12:1-2 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and Holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
What is the will of the Father? It is to make us over into the image of His Son, Jesus.
1 Cor. 15:49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. (Niv)
And what is that image? Galatians 5:22-25 give us a glimpse of the personality characteristics of Jesus. As you and I submit our faults to the attention of the Holy Spirit, He begins to bring about change that will produce in us those attributes of Jesus.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
As I crucify (put to death) those parts of my faulty thinking that are unlike Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to produce in my new nature a new way of thinking, _______, _______, _______, ________, ________, ________, _____________, ____________, and ____________.
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