put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind (Ephesians 4:22-23). Real Christianity is not the inclusion or impartation of another nature, but an actual recreation of the human spirit. When you were born again, your spirit was actually recreated of God.
The life with which you were born of your mother has been supplanted with a new life in Christ. Some Christians tend to be more body - ruled or conscious of their physical senses than they should be, not realizing that man is a spirit, and not a physical body. Your spirit came alive to God when you were born again, and has exactly the same nature as your heavenly Father; you're one with Him now. It's a new life altogether: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
However, your mind has to be renewed with the Word of God: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:2). Your soul houses your mind - your emotions and your will - your reasoning faculty, where you make decisions. If your mind isn't renewed with the Word you'll be sense-ruled and unable to make the right decisions. Romans 8:8 says, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. To be in the flesh is to be dominated by your physical senses.
Sometimes people wonder why they still do some things they shouldn't do after they're born again. Really, those things don't come from their human spirit, but from the "unrenewed" mind; the senses. Therefore, it's possible to be born again and live as though you're not. This is the reason it's so vital that you develop your human spirit by learning, meditating and acting on the Word. That way, you'll train your spirit to rule over your senses. It's your responsibility.
Pastor Chris
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