The Spirit in Man

Next Part Message to Abortion Rights Proponents

Every human life is limited to a temporary physical-chemical existence, requiring the breathing of oxygen and the regular intake of sufficient food and water to stay alive. Recall that God had told Adam, “...dust you are and unto dust shall you return” (Gen. 3:19). Yet, there is a spirit within man, which elevates him above animals. Referenced previously, this “human spirit” is described in various other passages within God’s Word. Notice just the following two verses:

“But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding” (Job 32:8).

“...the LORD, which stretches forth the heavens, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him” (Zech. 12:1).

Of course, we saw that Satan originally deceived ancient philosophers into perceiving the spirit in man as being an immortal soul. But a careful study of all the relevant verses in the Bible (Isa. 28:13) reveals that man IS a “living soul” (Gen. 2:7)—physical, mortal life—and that souls can die (Ezek. 18:4, 20) or be destroyed (Matt. 10:28). I have written other books and booklets that discuss this much further.

The human spirit does not give life to a person, nor is it a separate consciousness apart from the person. It has no perception independent of the sensory organs that input information to the mind, through the eyes, ears, nose, and the sense of taste and touch. It cannot think or function apart from the physical brain. Although the spirit in man is not a separate entity, it is spirit essence—it expands the human brain, permitting it to carry mind power. Instead of animal instinct, it imparts creativity, reasoning and judgment in physical matters and decisions.

But, and I repeat to the point of being repetitive, do not lose sight of the fact that the spirit in man is limited to the knowledge of physical things—and can learn nothing of the spiritual. Notice again this repeat of an earlier-referenced verse with more included this time: “For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God...But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Cor. 2:11,14).

Recognize once again that being able to understand things that are “spiritually discerned” would have come from eating of the Tree of Life. This would have brought the Spirit of God to the first man and woman, and taken them to eternal life. Their wrong choice of which tree to eat of earned them death. God had to drive them from the garden, away from the tree of life, speaking of Adam, “lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” (Gen. 3:22).

But all is not lost for the masses of humanity who have agreed with and followed Adam’s choice. All mankind—every human being who has ever lived—will eventually be given a full and equal opportunity to also inherit eternal life. Mankind will learn that this is only possible through repentance of living the wrong way—contrary to God’s revealed instruction—with acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ, followed by a time period of spiritual growth and development. And all of this begins with the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Parallels of Reproduction

In John 3:1-36, Jesus explained to Nicodemus, “...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn 3:3). Nicodemus knew that Christ meant the literal process of being born again—and not merely the undergoing of a “religious experience.”

Jesus further explained in Jn 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Christ was not referring to people being reborn as physical, mortal human beings. Rather, He was speaking of a spiritual birth—of men being born as spirit beings into the kingdom of God, the God Family. Just as a human is begotten of his physical father, one must, in order to be born into the spirit realm, also be begotten of the spiritual Father.

Much can be learned through a comparison of the human stages of begettal, gestation and physical birth with the growth process of spiritual birth: • The human egg has a relatively short life of about 24 hours, unless life is imparted to it after a male sperm cell has joined with the egg cell. Likewise, human life lasts only about 70 or so years—which is very short when compared to eternity.

• The male sperm unites with the female ovum. Similarly, just as the spirit in man combines with the physical brain to form the human mind, the Spirit of God unites with the human spirit. Notice again: “The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the CHILDREN OF GOD” (Rom. 8:16).

• As with the fertilized human egg, life can be imparted to people through the begettal process of the Holy Spirit—which is actually an “earnest” or down-payment of eternal life (Eph. 1:13-14; II Cor. 1:22; 5:5) from the Father. Romans 8:14 shows that those who have the Spirit of God are literally sons of God (yet unborn). And II Peter 1:4 reveals that the Father uses His Spirit to impart His divine nature within His spiritually begotten sons.

• Just as the human sperm cell is the smallest of all cells, the initial measure of God’s Spirit that one receives is very small—perhaps only a tiny percent of one’s full potential. During this lifetime, spiritual babes in Christ must develop and grow, much like a fetus, in order to be born spiritually—to become spirit beings and receive an eternal inheritance. Remember: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom. 8:17).

As with newborns, this growth process begins with spiritual milk. Let’s read: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: if so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (I Pet. 2:2-3).

Though the down payment of God’s Spirit is initially small, it can and must increase. This is done, among other things, through daily Bible study, continual fervent prayer, with the use of other Christian tools of growth such as fasting and meditation, and Christian fellowship with other spiritually-begotten sons—“brethren”—those who share the same beliefs, goals and purpose in life.

• The human embryo and fetus are fed with physical food through the mother. Also, during the pregnancy, the mother carries her unborn baby in a place where it can be very carefully protected. Likewise, the Church of God, which is called “the mother of us all” (Gal. 4:26), nourishes and protects God’s unborn children.

The ministers of God’s Church are commissioned by Christ to feed His flock. Here is how Paul described the duty of God’s ministry, who serve “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:12-13). Christ holds His ministers accountable for nurturing and protecting His unborn brethren from being devoured by those described as wolves (Acts 20:29-30)—false ministers who bring false doctrines.

• A fetus must mature, and grow large enough to be able to come to birth and live outside the womb. Similarly, each begotten son of God must GROW in spiritual character. He is to become fully developed in all of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, taking on God’s nature, the process continuing until reaching spiritual maturity, so that then—and only then—is he ready to be reborn. Only after having grown and developed and having endured to the end (Matt. 10:22; 24:13) can one be “born again”—born into the very Family of God!