Bible Study #9
The Two Natures
Introduction:
When God created Adam, he possessed only one nature: the spiritual one (Genesis 1:26,27). After he fell into sin, he lost the nature of God and acquired the carnal and devilish one. When we are born again through the work of the Holy Spirit, we receive a new nature, but the Adamic and sinful nature continues to work in us (Romans 7:15-25)
1. Where does the nature of the old man come from?
(John 3:6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
2. Where does the new man in us come from, or originate?
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 1:13 Who were not begotten of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
3. In what part of our being does the old nature work?
(Romans 7:23) But I see another law in my members, which rebels against the law of my mind, and takes me captive to the law of sin which is in my members.
4. What does Saint Paul consider the two natures to be?
(Romans 8:2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death.
5. What is it impossible for the carnal mind to do, and why?
(Romans 8:7,8) Because the designs of the flesh are enmity against God; for they are not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can they be; and those who live according to the flesh cannot please God.
6. In what does the inner man delight?
(Romans 7:22) For according to the inner man, I delight in the law of God.
7. What is the difference between the two natures in their way of thinking, and what are the consequences?
(Romans 8:5,6) For those who are of the flesh think on the things of the flesh; but those who are of the Spirit, on the things of the Spirit. For the minding of the flesh is death, but the minding of the Spirit is life and peace.
8. How does Saint Paul describe the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit within the believer?
(Galatians 5:17) For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and that of the Spirit is against the flesh; and these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you would.
9. What are the works of the flesh, and what is the fruit of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:19-24)
And the works of the flesh are manifest, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, strife, jealousies, anger, contentions, dissensions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; concerning which I warn you, as I have also told you in time past, that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who are of Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
10. What contrast exists between the two natures in relation to the world?
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world, nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith.
11. What does the word of God command us to do with the old man, and what is the counsel regarding the new?
(Colossians 3:5-10; Ephesians 4:22-29)
Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, disordered passions, evil desires, and covetousness, which is idolatry; things for which the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience, in which you also walked at one time when you lived in them. But now you also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy words from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds, and put on the new, which according to the image of him who created it is being renewed unto full knowledge. As to your former manner of life, put off the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, created according to God in righteousness and holiness of the truth; wherefore, putting away lying, speak truth each one with his neighbor; for we are members one of another. Be angry, but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to share with him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for the needed edification, that it may give grace to those who hear.
