THE SPIRITUAL MAN: UNDERSTANDING THE LIFE, WILL, WISDOM AND AUTHORITY OF GOD
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” — 1 John 5:4
PART ONE: THE NEW BIRTH AND THE LIFE OF GOD
Introduction: The Reality of the Spiritual Man
A reality exists beyond the natural realm: the invisible Kingdom of God. When a person is born again, this spiritual reality becomes accessible.
Jesus said:
«“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3»
And again:
«“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
— John 3:5–6»
The spiritual realm should not be strange to you. It is the natural habitat of the one born of God, just as water is natural to a fish and the sky to a bird. You are an offspring of God, and this consciousness of who you are in Christ is essential.
Paul says:
«“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:16»
The spiritual man cannot be understood merely by what is visible in the natural.
From the Natural to the Spiritual
Paul says:
«“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:50»
This is why the new birth is necessary. The natural man cannot enter the reality of God’s Kingdom; only the one born of the Spirit can.
Paul explains:
«“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:45»
«“Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:46»
Adam was natural, but Christ is a life-giving Spirit. The life Adam could not preserve through disobedience is found in Christ. Eternal life is in the Son.
The Bible continues:
«“The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:47»
«“As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:48»
You are not merely earthly. You are born of God and have received life from above.
Jesus said:
«“He that is of the earth is earthly… He that cometh from heaven is above all.”
— John 3:31»
This does not make you independent of God. It means you learn to function from the life and authority that come from Him. When circumstances oppose you, respond from the Word, faith, prayer and the leading of the Spirit. The spiritual governs the natural.
The Life of God Is an Overcoming Life
Jesus lived with consciousness of the Spirit:
«“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit…”
— Luke 10:21»
The same divine life has been given to everyone born of God.
«“And this is the testimony, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
— 1 John 5:11»
«“He that hath the Son hath life…”
— 1 John 5:12»
This life is not merely future; it is the believer’s present possession. Therefore:
«“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
— 1 John 5:4»
Job said:
«“But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”
— Job 32:8»
You were born to overcome, not to live as prey to the enemy. The condition is to be born again and to walk in the life of faith.
The saints demonstrated this confidence in God. Jesus said:
«“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit…”
— Luke 23:46»
Stephen prayed:
«“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
— Acts 7:59»
Paul declared:
«“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
— Philippians 1:21»
This is not a call to seek death, but a revelation that the believer’s life is in God. Our confidence is not in the flesh, but in Christ and the eternal life we have received through Him.
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THE FOUR THINGS THAT REGULATE THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The expression of God’s Kingdom in the believer is governed by four realities:
1. The Divine Life of God
2. The Will of God
3. The Wisdom of God
4. The Authority of God
The new birth gives us divine life; divine life draws us into God’s will; God’s will requires His wisdom; and His wisdom teaches us to exercise authority in submission to Him.
1. THE DIVINE LIFE — THE LIFE OF GOD
The Kingdom is powered by God’s life, not human ability.
«“God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
— 1 John 5:11»
This life has been entrusted to the Church for the advancement of God’s Kingdom and the preaching of the Gospel. It is not merely for personal enjoyment; it must transform our character, thinking, conduct, relationships and responses to circumstances.
Because divine life shapes our desires and decisions, it leads us to the will of God.
2. THE WILL OF GOD
Whenever God’s will is expressed, His Kingdom is manifested.
«“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:10»
God’s will is not merely what He wants to happen around us, but what He accomplishes through our obedience and yieldedness.
Paul says:
«“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
— Romans 12:2»
The old nature resists God’s will, which often exceeds natural reasoning. Therefore, the mind must be renewed. We frequently come into God’s will when we come to the end of ourselves and submit to His ways.
Yet knowing God’s will is not enough. We must know how to carry it out. That requires divine wisdom.
3. THE WISDOM OF GOD
God does not only want us to do His will; He wants to show us how.
Good intentions can produce wrong results when the method is wrong. Overzealousness can lead us to try to help God, but we are not the Originator.
Jesus said:
«“For without me ye can do nothing.”
— John 15:5»
Paul says:
«“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God…”
— 2 Corinthians 10:4»
Jesus gave believers “the keys of the kingdom” (Matthew 16:19). These keys must be used according to God’s wisdom, not human impulse. We need knowledge, understanding and wisdom from God, especially in areas where effort alone has not produced change.
Wisdom prepares us to exercise authority correctly—not independently, but through communion and submission to God.
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– Pastor Joshua Edohoema: Excerpt from the message – The Kingdom Way Part 2