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Three Spiritual Attributes
by Dale Linton The origin of the human spirit is found in the "breath of life" given to us by God, (Genesis 2:7). The human spirit is gifted to us and may be specifically identified as the "life" found in the breath of God, (Job 33:4). This is true of all human beings fore, this is how God brings humans into being. There are three notable attributes of God inherent all humans as we share this breath of life, or what we refer to as our spirit. These three God given characteristics are Agape, which is love, Zoe, which is life or light, and Virtue, which is power. It is important to stress that God gave us these attributes not for us to master them by utilizing them, or that we should master the receiving of them. God does require however, that He be the Master for us as to orchestrate and realize these attributes truthfully and effectively in our lives. Satan aims to tap and control the human spirit by deceitfully influencing the soul, specifically the heart. Satan targets those who begin and continue a journey of misguided interpretation of identifying and expressing these attributes. God, on the other hand, has for us to be led into deeper truths and development regarding these attributes. This is made possible through the acceptance of Jesus, and then having the gift and guiding of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, Satan's intent is to produce death, while God intends for us to produce life. The following verse is specific to an explanation of Satan's influence of deception regarding Agape, Zo and Virtue as God has revealed it in His word. 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Satan is known as the "prince of this world",( John 14:30). So Satan is aligned with the world and the world with him. The pride of life, lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh are words explaining Satan's influence of deception regarding our interpretation of what is embodied within our spirit. Pride of Life is a misguided interputation of what we understand about Zoe. Zoe is a word defined more correctly as, the life of God. This gift of life we receive is perceived by humans as something we own, leading us to imagine we are "self generating". Pride of life describes an attitude of ownership, which is untrue and works within us to not recognize our creator. Rather, we are led to believe we are our own god, having control of life. This creates a focus on self and a decision making process that feels no necessity of relational aid from God. This all spells destruction to the life we've been gifted. Lust of the eyes is a misguided interputation of what we understand about Virtue. Virtue is a word defined more correctly as power. God provides us the awareness and the desire for this attribute for the purpose of living a life according to His will. The awareness and the presence of a God given power, meant to be achieved through Him, is falsely perceived by humans as a power attainable through the gateway of the eyes. Our eyes are symbolic of what we see inwardly, or reason, and may achieve through the knowledge of human wisdom (Genesis 3:5). In our world and society "knowledge is power". The lust of the eyes describes this misguided attitude man has in believing he may acquire power by achieving success through the resource of his own wisdom. Lust of the flesh is a misguided interputation of what we understand about Agape. Agape is a word defined more correctly as love. This ability in agape is meant to be expressed in an emotional motivation to give, or to sacrifice. God means for this to be our greatest gift as He has designed all of His creation to operate within the give and receive principle. Having therefore, an emotional and mental tendency to love, in a giving way, plays well for us to receive that for which He has us to receive. Greatest of all, more agape. Man unfortunately, attempts to utilize the emotional and mental abilities of agape by receiving as much emotional stimulation as the world can offer. Consequently, the violation of the truth concerning agape, leads to attempts of acquiring emotional and mental stimulation through houses, cars, money, other human beings, status, etc. The gateway for which the things of the world, or the ground, stimulate us is through our flesh. The explanation behind this appealing influence is that our bodies are made of the same material that tends to inspire us. For this reason, the lust of the flesh describes a misguided attitude and ability to love things which are of no true value nor profit to man. I have a desire to see the body of Christ edified. Within the broad spectrum of edification I feel there exists a great need and opportunity for spiritual education at foundational levels. Please contact me about speaking at your church. Dale Linton 410-378-5035 or [email protected] Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |