Private Enemy No. 1

A Stranger Within

Chapter 1

I did not realize until I one day when I passed the mirror and saw a stranger looking back at me. For a moment I was afraid for I knew it was not anyone else in the house other than myself, therefore I assumed an intruder or someone who did not belong was in this house, because what I be held in the mirror was a so hostile and illusive. Just as quick as I thought it I realized oh my God this is me or I might add (my flesh) the identity of my natural being that constantly opposes God, and challenges my spirit man the part of me that adores and loves God and seeks to worship and please him. I have wrestled with my flesh many times but I kind of thought of it as a sister rivalry you know, I won’t let her do what she wants, and she tries to stop me from doing things that I like to do, I want to pray, she wants to sleep, I want to fast and she wants to eat. But what I experienced in that mirror ushered me into a crucial understanding of the enemy I restrain daily.

Ro 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

“A stranger within” denotes that we are not aware or acquainted with our flesh. I would like to enlighten you somewhat in that area; we just feel it is human nature in operation when flesh tries to get us to embrace its appetites and delights. We are right it is human nature (unregenerate human nature). That is right, (flesh has never been born again), and it does not want you born again either. John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

We know the first birth,) natural birth is born into evil naturally and is loyal to the blood line of sin passed on to us from the first Adam, a human man. However the spirit of man that experiences a second birth (Born Again) is loyal to the atoning bloodline given to us from the second Adam a quickening (Life giving) spirit. In the first Adam all die, but in the second Adam (Christ) shall all be made alive.

1Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Ishmael Abraham’s first born represents the natural birth or the flesh, he was not born of promise or of faith and anything that is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23) Thus even thou he was a son he was not an heir. Just as flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, Ishmael was brought forth out of the will of man conceived by a servant and stands for the natural body (flesh). 1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Isacc was born second to Abraham standing for the spiritual birth (born Again) out of promise, of Faith, free from sin, and the bondages thereof brought forth out of the will of God conceived by a free woman and an heir to all his father has.

Ishmael (the natural Body–not of promise, nor faith, conceived by servant) represents the bondage of sin and Isacc the spiritual body-born of promise, of faith conceived by free woman in covenant with God representing the liberty of Christ. They exist in the same earthen vessel. For all men have a triune nature, the Body-flesh or world conscious, the Spirit –God conscious, and Soul-Self conscious, decision making, seat of emotions. The flesh and the spirit wrestle for influence over the Soul of man.

Ro 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Unfortunately we have two opposing natures, conflicting desires Ishmael (flesh) who knows he cannot be heir with Isacc (spirit) so his purpose is to instigate, stimulate, set in motion, incite and arouse emotions, and actions that would undermine and sabotage Isaac’s inheritance, by corrupting his (soul) (his decisions, and emotions). We also have Isaac who cannot terminate Ishmael only eradicate (neutralize) render-inactive, inoperative, deprive of force and efficiency or destroy his influence over the desire and emotions of the Soul. If we could once in for all do away with the natural body loyal to the bloodline of sin Paul would not have said in 1 Corinthians 15:31 I die daily. And 2 Corinthians 9:27 1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

We have to be fully aware of the danger of the stranger within. The Isaac (spirit man) in Paul did not tolerate anything from the Ishmael (flesh, carnal mind). The natural body was first but the spiritual body eternal.