Receive by Revelation

Last time, we talked about how living by the senses neutralizes true faith. When I use the term true faith, I mean the only kind of faith that pleases God, revelation faith. The Apostle Paul tells us, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (senses). For the flesh (senses) lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh (Senses); and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." (Galatians 5:16-18) (I added the word senses for clarity purposes)

We can see that a battle exists between the senses, which are the natural things, and the spirit which are the eternal things. Paul also tells us, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) Again, we see that the senses, the natural man, cannot discern spiritual things. Sense knowledge does not know God, nor can it ever know God, for He and His Word are Spirit. (John 4:24; John 6:63) This is a very important key to understanding why so many believers struggle and battle with things in their lives. These very things that some many believers struggle with, have been set aside, overcome and destroyed by Jesus Christ through the redemption provided by faith in Him.

Let us look at how the Apostle Paul came to know spiritual things, especially concerning Christ and all that He has provided for those who put their faith in Him. "But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12) To truly know God and things of the spirit, it must come by revelation through the Holy Spirit. (John 14:26) Paul's epistle to the Romans also sheds much light, in contracting the flesh (senses) with the spirit. "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." (Romans 8:5)

This is speaking of our recreated spirit coming to understand the things of God through the Holy Spirit. Paul goes on, "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans 8:6) To be ruled by the senses is death. It does not become more plain than that. But why is this so, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be." (Romans 8:7) In other words, the mind of the flesh, that is, the thinking that derives its evidences from the senses, is enmity, the state of hatred or animosity against God. When Paul is addressing the flesh he does not mean the physical body as the physical body, but the physical body as the vehicle in which the five senses are contained. It is through the five senses that knowledge comes to our intellect. The body is but the vehicle of the five senses through which all the knowledge of material things has come and comes to our brain.  

So then, those who are in the flesh, letting their senses have dominion, cannot please God. In fact, as spoken above, they are in a state of hatred or animosity against God. Unfortunately, man has failed to get the knowledge of God, though he has given himself to study and searching, because he has relied upon his senses. The senses have taken such a stronghold on most, they have come to equate mental ascent as faith. Paul warns, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." (1 Timothy 4:1) Who expressly says? The Holy Spirit! What does the Holy Spirit expressly say? "...some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." The departure of true faith, that is, believing and acting on God's Word, opens the senses to deceiving spirits and the doctrines of demons! 

Keep in mind that the devil's lies and deception against humanity is through the senses (Genesis 3:1-6; 1 John 2:1516) He attacks God's Word, as well as His character, nature, purpose and plan, by getting people to use their soul (mind, will, emotions, intellect, that is, the five senses) to reason, which, if not immediately cast down, creates "...arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." (1 Corinthians 10:5) (And we wonder why there is so much division and erroneous doctrine in the church) Paul's prayer for the church reveals that it is through "the spirit of wisdom and revelation" (Ephesians 1:17) that we come to know spiritual things, that is, the knowledge of God.  Paul also tells us where all true knowledge and wisdom are found, "...attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2-3)

Although Paul had had the advantages of all the scholarship, all the knowledge of his age in which he had gathered, he shows us the true riches, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:1-5) We can clearly see that the sense knowledge, educated, Paul, gave up sense knowledge, which is limited, for revelation knowledge that knows no bounds. His desire was the same for the church, so they (we) could walk in true faith.

What happened at Lazarus tomb is a reflection of what takes place in most congregations today. "Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:39-40) Sense knowledge limited Martha to the natural realm and although Martha did see the glory of God, it makes one wonder if she truly appreciated it, or was only happy to see her brother alive again.  

A person may be a child of God and yet never have his mind renewed, because he lives in the realm of  the senses. Sense knowledge has closed the doors against the teaching of the Holy Spirit who is the promise of the Father and gives revelation to us through God's Word. (John 16:13) As long as you listen to the voice of the senses, you will never believe God's Word and never walk by faith. Sense knowledge leads us invariably away from God to trust in what man can do, whereas revelation knowledge leads us to trust in the Lord and see His glory. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit...