Divine Nature

Divine Nature

Where people imagine they are finished with the body of sin, there is a large field with excellent soil to be sown with Satan’s innumerable poisonous plants. However, people don’t realize this. They are ignorant of these things; therefore they are also deceived from the bad to the worse. They preach that there are no more lusts in them, that the body of sin has been taken out. They never do anything that must be judged. Temptations come from the outside and are on the outside. This is the worst of Satan’s deceptions that is found among believers, particularly among those who have died to the law and have the Spirit of God. This doctrine is in direct contrast to the Scriptures that instruct us so clearly that each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires (which are in our members) and enticed. Read James, Chapter 1. This agrees clearly with Romans 6:6 and 12, where it states that we shall no longer be slaves of sin (v. 6) and is so convincing and unequivocal in verse 12: “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” Consequently, the lusts are present, but they are not to be obeyed. Therefore James, the servant of Jesus Christ, also says that we shall count it all joy when we fall into various temptations and that we are blessed if we endure in them and overcome, for by being patient during all this, our mind and our faith is tried, and that this produces a perfect work. The thing that this deceptive doctrine wants to remove is precisely the means that leads us to a perfect work so that we can be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Flee from this lying and arrogant deception, and come before God in acknowledgment, testing yourself! Verses 12-14 in James 1 are closely connected to each other. Therefore be not led away from the light by anyone taking the 14th verse on its own and distorting it, but rather view the three verses in connection with each other, and they will give you the doctrine with regards to temptation. In one sense they come from the outside, but their point of contact is the lusts in the body of sin. James, who was a teacher (Ch. 3:1), tells us that not many should become teachers, for it is a very responsible ministry. Therefore a person to whom God has not revealed something should not proclaim what he thinks, adding that this is his opinion. This is carnal and therefore confusing and corrupting. He must be silent until God has spoken to him by His Spirit—then he can speak what he has heard, seen, and received. James 3:2 tells us that “we all stumble,” even “in many things.” This agrees with the rest of the Word and with the Spirit, and with every holy and humble soul who is perfect according to the conscience. The doctrine is difficult to apprehend for most people because their attitude is not right before God (acknowledgment). Yet even if they do not comprehend the doctrine now, why do they believe something that is contrary to their own life? Make sure that you are not tired of the sufferings, and perhaps of the constant humiliation ore even possibly your weakness before God? (Being weak before men and Satan is something else—we always remain strong there.) James says more in connection with the lusts. Where do wars and fights come from? From without? Not at all! They come from your desires that war in your members. Yes, it is certainly true. Jas. 4:1. Also read verses 2 and 3! Here he speaks again to his brothers. The desires weren’t just in their members; they were also active! He writes to these same people about the perfect law of liberty and about many other things that clearly show that they were in Christ. The matter is simple enough for the one who keeps that simple faithfulness toward Christ. The person who always humbles himself under God’s mighty hand will not be deceived. When we look at Galatians 5:16 we will also see clear words. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” “Not fulfill”—in other words, they are there! It is painful to know that this deception of Satan—that the body of sin and the desires have been taken away from us—is as widespread as it is. It destroys and hinders church life as well as everyone who lives in this deception. Instead of being fully equipped for all good work, people will acquire a mind that is incapable of an inner ministry before God even though they are able to maintain an outward façade, rejoicing and testifying to sinners. This is not evidence of goodness; even an unconverted person can do that, although it would be with less proficiency. However, their minds are debased. Therefore you can see souls who once were humble before God and were blessed as a result. They can often speak in tongues and preach with enthusiasm—but they can also go to bed angry. They can also joke with girls and be impetuous with raised fist ready to fight, full of unrighteousness and love of money, carnal, loving food and drink and motorboats and automobiles and villas and refinement; or to use the words of Scripture: the world and the things in the world (then the love of God is not in them). They are full of backbiting, flattery, hypocrisy, and hate. Dear souls, wake up and become sober! Choose to stand firm in the good until the end!