The Emotions of the Spirit

When tradition told us we would never be one hundred percent holy as long as we lived in these bodies of flesh we believed that report. The general consensus was that the flesh was sinful and sooner or later it would cause us to sin against God. The reason we believed it was because we were witnesses first hand to the sinful track record of the Sons even after salvation. This may sound harsh but it is true nevertheless. Sin in the Body of Christ has caused us to believe it is impossible to live a perfected life before God. But what about the script that says, “the motions of sin” which worked in our members to bring about fruit unto death (Romans 7:5)? I really want to take time here to hover over this point. If you were to look up the term “motions” in Strong’s Concordance you would find that it refers to emotions, affections and influence.

Therefore the inference here is that when we were in the flesh, (unsaved, void of the Spirit of God), sin in our members produced emotions or affections that were the fruits of death. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).

Every captivity of the mind has its root in one of these works of the flesh. These are the emotions, influence and affections of a sin and death nature. When we were in the flesh these were the emotions we produced according to the Law of Sin and Death working in our members. I need you to see that these negative emotions and affections should only be brought forth by one who is unsaved, not influenced and void of God and godliness. Don’t forget, the fig tree does not produce olives! Please allow me to reiterate. These are the emotions or affections of the flesh that are produced by those who either do not know God or those who know Him but decide to walk after the way of the world. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you (Romans 8:9).

If we are now in the Spirit, then should it not follow that our emotions and affections be that of the Spirit? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).

According to the above scripture, those who are born of Christ have indeed crucified the affections and lusts of the flesh. If the above scripture is the truth and the affections (emotions) and lust of the flesh were crucified at salvation, then we are indeed free. Beloved, this is something the Father did. This is the work of faith; the operation of God. You will learn more about that in the next chapter. I beg to differ with my distinguished colleagues who are yet to come into the full revelation of the Christ within. The fruit of the Spirit are not just subjects for missionaries to develop 15-minute “sermonettes” about. They are the attributes, affections, emotions and influence of the Holy Ghost in the flesh.

It is the flesh that is gentle, full of joy and love when the Son walks according to who and what he is. In turn, they are the attributes and emotions of the manifested Sons of God. One very prominent Bible teacher maintains that we will continue to struggle with the sin nature of the flesh until Jesus returns or we simply die. Though I am sure my brother means well, this is simply not the truth. In fact, it is a heretical doctrine that undermines and even dishonors the work our Father performed at salvation.

The body you are in is not evil. It can do nothing you do not tell it to do. You are in control of your flesh. That is what your freedom from captivity is all about. You are able to choose good or evil. Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. You are instructed to present it holy and acceptable unto God, but this would be impossible if the nature of the body was that of sin. The sin nature is enmity against God. It is not subject to God and neither can it ever be. However, thanks be to God, He sanctified the flesh in regeneration. When theologians insist therefore that the motions of sin were never taken out of the flesh by the Father they are coming up short in their revelation of the work of the cross. Furthermore, if we are the ones who have to crucify and cast out the old man, then, where is the work of grace and at what point did salvation set the captives free?

It is a fact that one day we will receive our spiritual bodies, but until then it is with the mind of this body that we will serve the Lord. The mind is the spirit of the flesh. If the nature of the flesh has not changed then it is impossible to renew its mind. As one of my esteemed colleagues points out, the nature of sinful flesh cannot be improved. Believe it or not, God also knew it was impossible. Therefore, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3).