Tag Archives: discernment

Christian Soapbox, Nathan Dooley

CARNAL INTELLECT – SPIRITUAL INTELLECT (Part 2)

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“…the life blood encompasses the heart of the entire body (temple of the Holy Spirit) that indwells within, and mankind has received the blood transfusion of Jesus Christ for redemption. That blood is mankind’s justification for righteousness gifted at the cross where Jesus took the wrath on our behalf.”—(Part 1)

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands.”—Psalm 90:17 (NASB)

SPIRITUAL INTELLECT

How do we discern the truth from the lie with a spiritual intellect? The carnal intellect must die through belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God who died and resurrected for mankind to be made alive, and we are in-fact—being made alive.

Since the carnal intellect dies through grace by faith in Jesus Christ, we’ve been resurrected to a spiritual intellect by the gift of God. The spiritual intellect is how the believer discerns the truth about our reality, this reality of sin and evil, a reality separated from God.

But not separated from the providence of God!

Below is a passage of scripture where the apostles of Jesus are in a boat at His [Jesus’] instruction, about 3 miles out at sea from the shore, on the fourth watch (3-6am), and are straining at the oars because the wind was against them; I imagine their straining against the oars as what we do with our carnal intellect against the spiritual intellect. But what comes next I find a bit humorous—like Jesus was pulling a prank or something.

So imagine being in the boat with these apostles straining at the oars to get to the other side, Bethsaida, where Jesus instructed us to go. It’s very early in the morning, and we’re feeling the weakness of our flesh, tired, but not giving up. Then all the sudden this ghost-like man appears walking on the water (which reminds me of Genesis when the spirit hovered over the surface of the waters) who looks to be distracted because the path of the ghost-like man seems directed to move pass the boat, not to the boat, but pass the boat; still, that doesn’t change what we’re witnessing—which is a ghost-like man walking on water!

So we all scream more girly than little boys because we’re not hallucinating what we all think is a ghost; then the ghost speaks, so we scream all the louder; the ghost says to us, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.”

Still not convinced it’s Jesus, the apostle Peter demands the ghost-like man command him [Peter] to come out to Him [Jesus] on the sea. And so Jesus did.

But see the issue was that we—as though with the apostles—did not gain any insight from the miracle of the loaves that fed 5,000 people before we were instructed to go on ahead in crossing the sea. Why? Well, the scripture says it was because our hearts were hardened.

And what do you think that means, that the apostles’ heart’s were hardened?

Was it God that hardened their hearts in order that they would be traumatized by Jesus walking on the water in hopes they would understand the true nature of Jesus’ authority as the Son of God?

Lets read the passage of scripture from the gospel according to Mark:

45 And immediately Jesus had His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He Himself *dismissed the crowd. 46 And after saying goodbye to them, He left for the mountain to pray. 47 When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. 48 Seeing them straining at the oars—for the wind was against them—at about the fourth watch of the night, He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. 49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought that it was a ghost, and they cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52 for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.—Mark 6:45-52

So I don’t know about you, but if we’re of a spiritual intellect? I think we can discern that Jesus was intending to cross the sea without joining us in the boat, that is, until, of course, we all scream.

But that doesn’t satisfy as an answer to the original question, does it?

Was it God that hardened their hearts in order that they would be traumatized by Jesus walking on the water in hopes they would understand the true nature of Jesus’ authority as the Son of God?

It’s plausible; but being that Jesus was intending to move pass the boat indicates, initially, the motive was not to join them in the boat nor to frighten us to death.

So then what does this all mean?

It means our faith is what pleases God.

Our spiritual intellect is faith working out the issue of what is causing our unbelief, so that we can put that sin to death.

Our carnal intellect reacts in fear because of the darkness it’s of—our carnal intellect is a darkness that doesn’t understand the light of spiritual intellect. That’s why they got so terrified at what the carnal intellect reasons as impossible, completely foreign, because their hearts we hardened at their participation in the miracle of feeding 5,000; to be moved with compassion.

And by the grace of God at the reality of His Son moving on the surface of the waters shook them to the core, even to the degree of their questioning what kind of spirit would say, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.”;(Matthew 14:28).

See, from what I believe to be of spiritual intellect, faith must be exercised with action; it isn’t enough to find assurance of information without faith, you will drown at sea if demanding Christ prove Himself by the nature of a hardened heart demanding, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

A spiritual intellect knows Jesus, whereas a carnal intellect does not. Therefore our security of salvation is secure on good authority.

So…

“Take courage; it is I [Jesus Christ—Son of God], do not be afraid.”

Christian Soapbox, Nathan Dooley

CARNAL INTELLECT VS SPIRITUAL INTELLECT

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Now that you’ve punched me in the face, and hopefully discovered a new perspective apart from the carnal. The next process in gaining knowledge for understanding that spiritual perspective of truth is the practical use of such wisdom—by restraining yourself from punching anyone else in the face. I say that jokingly, but in our day and age of intelligence the carnal perspective is cut to quick about the subtlest things which invokes all sorts of emotional instabilities and chaos to resolve what then becomes worse and worse. The solution is a spiritual intellect.

As a reminder from my previous post linked above, the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword; that sword of the Holy Spirit is experienced upon listening and or reading scriptural texts; the sword pierces through soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, even able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. But why the heart, and not the intellect? Because the life blood encompasses the heart of the entire body (temple of the Holy Spirit) that indwells within, and mankind has received the blood transfusion of Jesus Christ for redemption. That blood is mankind’s justification for righteousness gifted at the cross where Jesus took the wrath on our behalf.

However, the natural instinct to the carnal mind is to save him or hers’ own soul as if I or you had the power to do so, and that is—in my opinion—the greatest scheme of the devil, “Save your own skin.” Save it from what, or who, exactly?

The carnal mind becomes it’s own worst enemy because it’s also the enemy to the Spirit of God. That sword of God’s word is judging our motives. And I don’t think I can stress that enough as someone who related to the carnal perspective (only); the war between the carnal mind and spiritual mind is surreal.

I hate my carnal way of thinking because of the sin that means to seduce me into the lake of fire. I mean, writing that, let alone reading it—the lake of fire—is felt. Anyone with a conscience experiences the certainty of that truth, but the carnal intellect reacts in fear because it knows this truth, and that’s also why it must die. The carnal intellect will deceive at all costs for survival to godship, not repentance, but to be “God”. And no person understanding that, suppressing the truth it’s of, will survive the judgement, because they chose to save their life (carnal intellect) rather than lose it.

For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul?—Matthew 16:26

  • The one who has found his life will lose it, and the one who has lost his life on My account will find it.—Matthew 10:39
  • For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.—Mark 8:35
  • For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, this is the one who will save it.—Luke 9:24
  • Whoever strives to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will keep it.—Luke 17:33
  • The one who loves his life loses it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.—John 12:25

“Oh but the world is so presently intoxicating and addictive by what cannot be changed. Why not enjoy it?” The carnal man continues… “It’s not intoxicating or addictive…it’s reality! Pass me another ‘virgin’ (opportunity)!” Only to meet the inevitable—unrecognizable—consequence by what appears as freedom to reality. Don’t believe that mindset, it’s a lie straight from the pit of darkness masquerading as light. And that way of thinking is what it means to be carnal (fleshly) minded only.

There may be some—or many, even—that think in terms of social science as though justified by it, “Society agrees that murder is unjust warranting judgment, as long as it’s not discriminatory.” Yah, I won’t even wish “good luck with that” it’s so contradictory. It’s also weak when weighing to measure that system of justice with the value of life, or death even, rather. Because if a criminal like Adolf Hitler, Ted Bundy, David Koresh, Jim Jones, and the list goes on and on with “life” (death) sentences in prison up 1000+ years…

I might be wrong to ask, but how can anyone think that a death sentience is a means for solace? Do the research on the most prolific serial killers and see for yourselves the amount of uncounted victims to families without solace, and dare I say that if anyone blame God for such evil they’re worse off than the serial killers.

It’s a stark reality when falling into the hands of the living God!

For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:30-31
I die devotionals, Nathan Dooley

My son do not reject the discpline of the Lord or loathe His reproof | P3-V11

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The Rewards of Wisdom

Proverbs 3; I die daily devotional.

 11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, 

Lord, here we are again, a time to be devoted. And in this devotion, You remind me of the beginning; when mankind was created. You’ve taken me back to when Adam awoke to life by Your breath—Genesis 2:5 Now no shrub of the field was yet on the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted,  for the Lord God had not sent rain upon the earth, and there was no man to  cultivate the ground. 6 But a mist used to rise from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person. So I close my eyes, and breathe.

When my eyes are closed, and I breathe in the air … there is only darkness. I can feel my body expand as the air You breathe enters my body, my eyes open and I see the wonder of Your majesty. I experience Your presence, but have yet to hear Your voice. And then … there it is; I hear You; I comprehend our relationship and recognize Who You are in me. My Father. You give me an environment with a warning, a command, to eat from “… any tree of the garden …; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die.” Everything was good, but being alone.

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” And so You gave me love, a woman, and everything was complete. Then sin entered the heart of what was created to be good. Knowledge is inevitable, but evil is cunning, and death has reigned from millennia to millennia since that day of sin committed by mankind—1 Timothy 2:13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a wrongdoer [underline bold mine]. I can feel the law of faith discipline me as a son, enlightening me by the testimony of Your Word made flesh for the salvation of souls.

My conscience bears witness to Your work in me, the process of sanctification is an experience foreign to the mind of a human. But to the mind of the resurrected, it’s a taste of home. Oh Lord, I pray for all to be saved by grace through faith in Your Name, to the glory of God our Father.

Hebrews 12:7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his  father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  9  Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for  our  good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.12 Therefore,  strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13  and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.  15  See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single  meal. 17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

RESOURCE

Proverbs 3 (NASB)—blueletterbible.org | biblegateway.com
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; 2 For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father  corrects the son in whom he delights. 13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. 19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. 20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. 21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. 23 Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; 26 For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught. 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it, ”When you have it with you. 29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you. 30 Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. 32 For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright. 33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. 35 The wise will inherit honor, But fools  display dishonor.

COMMENTARY

Chapter 3

Matthew Henry (P3-V11) Commentary
III. We must conduct ourselves aright under our afflictions, v. 11, 12. This the apostle quotes (Heb. 12:5), and calls it an exhortation which speaks unto us as unto children, with the authority and affection of a father. We are here in a world of troubles. Now observe,

  • 1. What must be our care when we are in affliction. We must neither despise it nor be weary of it. His exhortation, before, was to those that are rich and in prosperity, here to those that are poor and in adversity.
    • (1.) We must not despise an affliction, be it ever so light and short, as if it were not worth taking notice of, or as if it were not sent on an errand and therefore required no answer. We must not be stocks, and stones, and stoics, under our afflictions, insensible of them, hardening ourselves under them, and concluding we can easily get through them without God.
    • (2.) We must not be weary of an affliction, be it ever so heavy and long, not faint under it, so the apostle renders it, not be dispirited, dispossessed of our own souls, or driven to despair, or to use any indirect means for our relief and the redress of our grievances. We must not think that the affliction either presses harder or continues longer than is meet, not conclude that deliverance will never come because it does not come so soon as we expect it.
  • 2. What will be our comfort when we are in affliction.
    • (1.) That it is a divine correction; it is the chastening of the Lord, which, as it is a reason why we should submit to it (for it is folly to contend with a God of incontestable sovereignty and irresistible power), so it is a reason why we should be satisfied in it; for we may be sure that a God of unspotted purity does us no wrong and that a God of infinite goodness means us no hurt. It is from God, and therefore must not be despised; for a slight put upon the messenger is an affront to him that sends him. It is from God, and therefore we must not be weary of it, for he knows our frame, both what we need and what we can bear.
    • (2.) That it is a fatherly correction; it comes not from his vindictive justice as a Judge, but his wise affection as a Father. The father corrects the son whom he loves, nay, and because he loves him and desires he may be wise and good. He delights in that in his son which is amiable and agreeable, and therefore corrects him for the prevention and cure of that which would be a deformity to him, and an alloy to his delight in him. Thus God hath said, As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, Rev. 3:19. This is a great comfort to God’s children, under their afflictions,
      • [1.] That they not only consist with, but flow from, covenant-love.
      • [2.] That they are so far from doing them any real hurt that, by the grace of God working with them, they do a great deal of good, and are happy means of their satisfaction.