I really wanted to avoid this subject. However, it is almost impossible to have a Women’s Conference and not make mention of the greatest driving force of the flesh that exists in the Body of Christ today. Please do not think that I am going to deal with all the activities found in relationships. For that you will have to consult the series, My Lord and I, taught at a Single’s Conference. But I will deal with the workings of the soul and spirit concerning this matter.

First of all, I want you to know that neither I, nor the Lord are opposed to relationships in the Body of Christ. God permits them when they are not founded in the context of sin. The Lord is more concerned with the unnatural cravings for such relationships that drive the sons of God outside the 'boundaries of the Faith.” All dating and courtships must be pursued within the context of the Spirit of God.

To assume that it is not the business of the Holy Spirit to monitor relationships in the Body of Christ is foolishness. Jesus, Paul, Peter and John dealt with the character to be found in all types of relationships. Though I would prefer not to have to deal with these personal relationships of the sons of God, it is all a part of being a leader in the Body. Whenever you do not walk after the Spirit, you will make yourself subject to the workings of the law of sin and death in your members. Consider the following passages:

Romans 8:2

2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

This is a finished work. The circumcision of the flesh, which is the operation of the faith of God in the New Creature, (Colossians 2:11) has cut away the sin that worked in our members. The iniquity and lusts of Satan are removed from the flesh and replaced by the liberty of the Spirit.

Romans 8:5-6

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

The earnest interpretation of this passage is that it is a comparison between those who are born of God and those who are born of Adam. It is only natural for the natural man to desire things that pertain to his flesh, whereas it is the nature of those born of God to deny the flesh. However, another comparison in made within the same book.

Romans 8:1

1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Those who are born of God, but walk after the flesh, will experience the same powers of darkness as those who are born of the flesh. Thus, it is possible for the sons of God to reject the mind of the Christ within and walk after the elements of this world. Therefore, it is not always the involvement in a relationship that takes a son off course. Those relationships in the Body that are off course came to be so by the individuals themselves being off course with God. The relationship simply reveals the details of spiritual lack.

Romans 6:14-16

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;

whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

When the sons of God walk after the flesh, the dominion of sin is revived. Unlawful desires are created in the flesh. These desires can drive a relationship outside the boundaries of our faith. Because we are so versed in the Word of God here at Bible Teachers International and Mary Banks Global Training Center, this working has to be more subtle.

There are some in the Body who have enjoyed the sanctification found in living free from sin. They really do not want to fornicate, but their desire for sex can become so strong, that the motivation for marriage turns to lust and not love. Marriage becomes a most urgent agenda because the individual is thinking 'lawful' sex. Once a potential partner is found the agenda is worked with little or no regard for the true natural or even spiritual disposition of one another. Neither is there much consideration for the gives and takes of marriage, or the responsibilities that come with it. The agenda is to get married quickly. Therefore, these real-life scenarios are glossed over with pretty words without focus on accomplishment or commitment.

Beloved, these are unlawful relationships. Marriage is a serious venture that involves lives, even those that are not yet born. It is your responsibility to get to know the heart and mind of the potential mate so that oneness can be achieved. But if lust is the motivating factor, then these things are not addressed until after the ceremony. Now, the two people suddenly realize that they have to live with someone they do not even know, or might not even like, for the rest of their lives.

Romans 14:23

23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

In this passage Paul is actually discussing the matter of eating things offered to idols. However, at the end of his dissertation, he injects a principle that covers the whole spectrum of our walk in God, “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” When relationships are void of the eternal purpose of God for which they were established, then they exist outside of the boundaries of faith. They exist in sin.

Note that it is not the act of fornication that moves such relationships off course. It is the lack of putting on the mind of Christ so that all things pertaining to the relationship are of God.