The Old Man -- The Carnal Nature

We studied formerly about Jonathan and his eyes being opened and his heart enlightened when he ate of the honey of holiness. Saul, in contrast, is a type of those who made a start on the Christian way, they received the good seed which sprouted rapidly, but had shallowness of roots, who were born-again, but did not mature into holiness, who left Egypt but refused to go on into the Promised Land.

When the evil spirit entered into Saul, he desired to kill David. Time and again he was forced to see he was wrong in this, but repeatedly broke his promise to leave David in peace and returned to his evil plan. The Bible's saying that the "evil spirit which came upon Saul was of the Lord". This is similar to the New Testament that said the decisions of Pilate and the Jews to kill Jesus, was destined from the beginning. Similarly it is written that "God hardened Pharaoh's heart." Were not all these free moral agents? Back in their spiritual life, each one had his own free will to choose for God and His narrow way for the Little Flock, or, for the devil's way of pride, the world, popular religion on the broad way. Once he had chosen, then many subsequent events were pre-destined. He was trapped eternally by his early free choice. He chose with his eyes opened, but after that was blind in his own conceits.

Breaking his own vows, Saul once again began hunting David to slay him. The king sent a group of soldiers to Ramah, the see of Samuel. The soldiers were seized with an ecstasy and began prophesying along with the other prophets there. Saul sent a second contingent. They did likewise, ten returned empty handed. The third time Saul went himself, thoroughly endangered. He was seized with an emotional ecstasy and prophesied even more intensely, and lay in such a state a day and a night.

Can carnal Christians have such experiences and the gift of prophecy and other such emotional gifts? St. Paul warns emphatically they are all too common and must be guarded against. The devil can always be present to enter into both hearts and public meetings to bring outpourings of the flesh, carnal emotions and confusion,

In times past, some Pentecostals claimed all speaking in tongues was a sign of the Holy Spirit and a proof of the fullness of God. Now more spiritual Pentecostals everywhere are pointing out the importance of going on to "die to self", "put the Old Man of Carnality to death" so that one gives not room or occasion for the flesh. Paul teaches clearly, also, no one should go to the other extreme and "forbid the speaking in tongues". He shows it is one of the lesser gifts, some may have and some may not have as the Spirit wills, but in any are to be sought as being of more importance.

In this Laodicean age, lukewarm and rich and worldly, there will be an outpouring of the superficial, the shallow, a for of preaching that is popular accenting joys of salvation, while avoiding the cross and its reproach. But the deeper Christians know and are forewarned, No cross, No crown. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of Life.

One hears of great wealthy churches, Baptist, Pentecostal and others, with a yearly budget of between $ 50 and $ 100 million a year including TV networks, many millionaires among its membership. What a contrast to the early Christian church, outcasts, hunted, scorned by both the wealthy, the noble and the Synagogue.

But at the same time we see about us, some-- a Little Flock-- also Baptists, Pentecostals or otherwise, who are "crucifying the old-man, keeping dead to self and the world, but ALIVE ONLY UNTO CHRIST." Dedicated, sanctified, they live much like the Bible Christians, and keep warning the more popular crowds to come out from that Babylon, touch not the unclean things, keep unspotted form the world, and be among the Wise Virgins who have the Second Vessel of the Oil of the Spirit, a spirit that is truly holy, the only way to keep watching and waiting our Lord's Coming.