Flesh and Spirit

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: the first Adam became a living being, the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual.

The first man was from the earth and made of dust;

The second man is from heaven.

Like the man made of dust, so are those who are made of dust;

Like the heavenly man, so are those who are heavenly.

Just as we have borne the image of the man made of dust,

We will also bear the image of the heavenly man. 1 Cor 15:44-49

We would all agree we have a body, we may not all agree we have a spirit. The spirit is the life in us. This is the part that, for a Christian, becomes born again. Our spirit is infilled by the Holy Spirit. This is only possible because of Christ's death and resurrection. He Himself said that He must go so that He could send the Holy Spirit.

I have a natural body that has cravings and a spiritual body that desires the things of God. If I live only for my natural body I am tied to my flesh and its lusts and therefore do not experience the fullness of Christ.

If, however, I put to death my natural life, that is I give up its rights, and choose to walk in the Spirit, then I walk in newness of life and I am made new every morning. 

I am not yet just a spirit, but a spirit who lives in a body. The body is merely a vehicle. The vehicle is a tool, not a master. My spirit, in submission to Christ, can be in charge and dictate where the natural man goes.

Each time I choose to walk in the spirit I am planting a fleshly desire and God will produce a harvest. By causing my flesh to die to its appetites I have an opportunity to see a spiritual harvest. Amen!