STUDY GROUP DOCUMENT

TWO NATURES
Natalie Holmyard
 TWO NATURES
Natalie Holmyard

Copyright © [2023] [Strategic Resource Training]

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any

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 Page 04 Introduction by Bruce Billington
Page 06 Terminology Clarification
Page 08 Two Natures - A Personal Testimony
Page 12 Colossians 3
Page 14 The Old Man & The New Man
Page 23 Supporting Scripture References
Table of
CONTENTS
Why...
THIS DOCUMENT?
I am delighted that you have chosen to use this document. It
deals with a topic that has caused a lot of confusion in the Body
of Christ for many years and bringing some clarification to it, in
the way Natalie has, is both insightful to those who have not
considered this topic and a great revision document for those
who have.

In order for you to get the most out of this study, I would like to
attempt to clarify what causes so much confusion here. It is
related to the word “flesh” which is used to translate the Greek
word “sarx” or “sarki” in the original Biblical text.

Almost all of the English translations of the Bible use the word
“flesh” to translate “sarx”, and this creates some confusion
because in the English language we associate our flesh as being
our physical body.

However, in the Greek language, the word can be used for our
physical body – or for our lower nature, i.e., our fallen sinful nature.
When the Apostle Paul uses the word (which he does around 70
times), he is referring to our fallen, sinful nature, NOT our physical
body. This is a very important distinction to make. When referring
to our physical body he uses a different Greek word, (soma).

The confusion here has created a very negative concept in the

Christian world that we call dualism. It is the belief that all that is
spiritual is good, and all that is natural, including our fleshbody is
bad. It also suggests wrongly that what we call spiritual is sacred
and what we call secular is unholy.
Why...
THIS DOCUMENT?
The Bible has never made such a distinction. In fact Paul states
in Titus 1:15 that to the holy, or pure, ALL things are holy.

Jesus goes even further than this. John 1:14 says;

"And the Word became flesh (sarx), and dwelt among us, and
we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father,
full of grace and truth."

Jesus did not embrace a fallen human body when He came to

earth – His body was as holy as the rest of Him.

The Scriptures state that that when we receive Christ, our whole
being – body, soul and spirit – become redeemed and all are
called into service for the Kingdom of God. In fact, our body of
flesh becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16).

How sacred is that?

I hope this may serve to clarify this so you can get the maximum
benefit out of this wonderful study Natalie has produced.

God bless you.

Bruce Billington
Founder of Strategic Resource Training
 It is important before we get started that we heed the words
TERMONOLOGY CLARIFICATION
of 1 Corinthians 1:10.

"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord

Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment."

Throughout scripture, there are different names for our old

and new natures. It is important we understand this and
learn to recognise the similar language, lest we become
divided and do not "speak the same thing".

The New Nature is referred to throughout scripture as:

The Spirit
The Inward Man
The New Man
The Redeemed Man
The Inner Man

The Old Nature is referred to throughout scripture as:

The Flesh
The Outward Man
The Old Man
The Fallen Man
The Natural Man
The Carnal Mind
Sinful Nature

As we mature in our relationship with Father and as sons and

daughters, it is important that we become masters at
recognising these natures in our own lives and in the lives of
those we are in community with.
 Adamic: A man without redemption and a man not controlled
TERMONOLOGY CLARIFICATION
by the Spirit of God.

Begotten: procreated, generated (Merriam Webster, 1828)

Brethren: a spiritual brother/sister (Merriam Webster, 1828)

Dualism: a doctrine that the universe is under the dominion of

two opposing principles one of which is good and the other evil.
A view of human beings as constituted of two irreducible
elements (such as matter and spirit)

Flesh: a carnal state, a state of being un-renewed and un-

redeemed in nature.

Pendulum Swing:
In a physical world, the Law is defined as: "the movement in
one direction that causes an equal movement in a different
direction
In the world of human behaviour, it is defined as: "the theory
holding that trends in culture, politics, etc., tend to swing
back and forth between opposite extremes.
In terms of our fallen nature - we may tend to go from one
extreme of unrighteousness to another extreme of
unrighteousness - neither reflecting our new identity in
Christ.

Sarx or Sarki: can be defined in two different ways

1) Our physical being, blood, bones, muscles, skin
2) Ones lower nature, sinful human nature.

For the purposes of this document, we will only be talking about

"the flesh" as it refers to our carnal state, our un-redeemed
nature, that we will be at continual war with, this side of heaven.
 Two Natures - A Personal Testimony
TWO NATURES TESTIMONY

When Christ first came into my life, the difference was so

dramatic and overwhelming in my being, I believed I was
forever changed! However, not long after this salvation event,
many old habits, attitudes and behaviours became part of my
life once again. I began to question whether I was really saved
from my old sinful ways. I began to question what I experienced
at “salvation” and considered it may have been just an illusion?
Why was it that I seemed to have a split personality, at times so
deeply committed and devoted to Jesus, so joyful and desiring
to walk in the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and yet, at other times so
sinful, self-interested, damaging and horrid? My identity was a
complete and constant contradiction. I’m afraid my outward
and inward lives were not at all aligned and to those who lived
under my roof – what they experienced was at times, sadly, a
very difficult person to live with. Some may call it, hypocrisy.

Does this sound familiar?

This was my life for nearly 6 years after being born again of spirit
and water. I was a wreck. Broken. Disheartened. Angry. At
times ambivalent of my faith and the power of God and His
Sovereign will for my life. Finally, after being introduced to a
different way to view life as a believer, in doing the series, Living
Life God’s Way, I was encouraged in my spirit to do a personal,
deep dive into scripture around this conundrum. Believe it or
not, this war between my old and new self was part of God’s
plan, not just for me, but for all believers, in order that our moral
choices might be real! The private and internal battles I was
experiencing were not just random temptations, but were
permitted by a loving and good Father, whose deep desire for
me was to mature and transform.
 I was not a robot. I was not being controlled by the Holy Spirit.
TWO NATURES TESTIMONY
(There is a big difference between being led by the Spirit and
being controlled.)

How was this battle to be overcome? How would I be able to

walk in lasting transformation? How on earth was I going to
mature and grow up, to choose good, to walk in my new
creation, to live being led by the Spirit? At salvation, I was
indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He now abides in me, at just the right
distance, close enough to be heard and far enough to be
optional. However, what I came to understand biblically, is that
He was also available to me to be constantly and continuously
infilled. His power, the power of the Holy Spirit, as my
counsellor, comforter and convicter, was the only way I would
be able to wage this war against my flesh. Praise God.

The desire to be free from a nagging conscience, (that constant

background voice in my head that may at times sound like
condemnation or obligation, but, more often than not, was a
prompt to choose life in the spirit and death to my flesh), was
not a reaction of my new creation in Christ Jesus. It was in fact a
response of my old self, my sinful nature, that had no desire or
capability for spiritual disciplines and moral exercises. It wanted
dominion over my thoughts, my actions, my feelings, my
emotions, my intellect, my everything. It did not want to enter
this battle, it wanted to avoid it at all costs. At the same time, I
was being encouraged by many believers, that this was all just
“spiritual warfare” and the “devil” trying to get to me.

Thankfully, in pursuing truth in scripture, aided now by an

immersion in a new way to train in the Kingdom of God through
Dennis and Bruce, I was able to see the lie that was keeping me
from becoming a true disciple of Jesus.
 The war between my old man and new man was here to stay.
TWO NATURES TESTIMONY
The way to grow up was to walk in obedience to the leading of
the Holy Spirit and to train my body, mind, will, and emotions, to
be surrendered and yielded to the will, way and Word of God.
When I did this, life began to change and change began to
become transformation and transformation lasts!

Jesus makes it clear that what He calls us to become is

completely contrary to everything that our old nature (flesh)
wants. Everything in my old nature (flesh), seeks to protect my
self interests and position myself for advantages, no matter the
cost. Christ calls me to consider what is right before God, for His
honour and for the good of others before myself. To love my
neighbour as I love myself. This is frankly not possible in my own
strength.

Seeing this, truly seeing this, set me free from all condemnation,
guilt and shame. Whenever I now slipped up, (walked in my
flesh), I was able to steer clear from the above pathways and
create new pathways of discipline in confession and repentance.
Hallelujah. Whenever I saw other people (including those living
under my roof) do the same, suddenly, I had grace and empathy
and most importantly, an answer for them! Confess. Repent.
Ask the Holy Spirit to constantly infill.

All of a sudden, my whole parenting vocation and motivation

shifted. My goal was not to help raise children who cringed and
rebelled against my hypocrisy and damaged identity, whose
only motivation for themselves was to have suitably modified
behaviour that would see them do well in this life. My goal,
desire, destiny and legacy, was to produce disciples who knew
deeply and intimately the war between their flesh and spirit,
their old man and new creation. To raise children who loved the
Lord their God, with all their heart, all their soul and all their
mind. It was not enough for any of us to be just "Christians".
 We must be disciples. Flesh destroying, spirit living disciples.
TWO NATURES TESTIMONY
Oh my gosh. It says so in scripture! How do we miss this? There
is most definitely a strategic agenda by the enemy of God, to
distract His people from this truth.

The greatest challenge in following and becoming a disciple of

Christ is not the devil, (though he may be formidable), but my
old self, my flesh, my own desire and wilfulness. How easily I can
be set up to resent God as controlling, or to want the freedom to
make my own decisions, to choose my own values and to live by
my own rules. I do this because I am sinful. Selfish. Carnal. I
believe that I am the best person to decide what happens in my
life. No one else can be trusted, including God. Confess. Repent.
Ask the Holy Spirit to infill. Colossians 3 became my lifeline.

“The pendulum swing" opposite of “trusting God for our

salvation”, is not distrusting God. It is trusting our self. It is
believing that we are intelligent enough, good enough, wise
enough, mature enough, experienced enough, educated
enough to make decisions on our own, with no intention to seek
His will or submit to His Spirit.

Does any of this sound familiar?

From the very beginning in Genesis, our core challenge has

been casting doubt on the integrity and will of God, suggesting
that this was a decision we could make for ourselves in our own
wisdom (think back to the serpent in the garden).

This desire for independence from God has been a sickness in all
people ever since, eating away at the Image of God in us, our
true identity. Why, after all, should we nurture the remnant of
God in us, if we prefer our own judgement to His?
COLOSSIANS 3
Colossians 3 - NASB

Put On the New Self

"Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the
things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand
of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on
the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is
hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is
revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

5 Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to

sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed,
which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things
that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in
them. 8 But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger,
wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth. 9
Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with
its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self, which is being
renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the
One who created it— 11 a renewal in which there is no
distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and
uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is
all, and in all.

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,
put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness,
and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each
other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the
Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these
things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the
peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body,
rule in your hearts; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ
 ichly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and
COLOSSIANS 3
admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual
songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Family Relations

18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter against
them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is
pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not antagonise your
children, so that they will not become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey those who are your human masters in

everything, not with eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with
sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your
work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing
that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the
inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For the one
who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong
which he has done, and that without partiality.
 The New Man – The Old Man – The Flesh and the Spirit:
THE NEW MAN & THE OLD MAN

As born-again believers, we must recognize the fact that within

us, there are now two natures. Alongside the fallen nature of
Adam that we were born into, now dwelling in us is the perfect
nature of Christ, begotten of God through the Holy Spirit. This is
marvellous and at the same time confusing and painful. To not
understand this positional truth, is to not understand what we
have been saved from and what we have been saved to.

“So real is the presence of both these natures in every child of

God, that in Paul’s references to the believer’s experience, his
personal pronouns refer sometimes to the one and sometimes
to the other.”

A sound example of this is found in Romans 7, where the

apostle Paul says on the one hand: “I am carnal, sold under sin”
(Verse 14) and on the other: “I serve the law of God” (Verse 25).

Again, he says, on the one hand: “In me…dwells no good thing”

(Verse 18) and on the other: “I delight in the law of God” (Verse
22), referring on the one hand to the old nature, and on the
other to the new.

Surely, the “I” who delights in the law of God is not the same “I”
who is “carnal, sold under sin” (Verse 14). Yet in both cases, the
apostle uses the first-person pronoun, associating both
conditions with himself.

It is clear in these scriptures, that Paul is referring to the two

natures in one person. On the one hand he says: “In me (that is
in my flesh), dwells no good thing” (Verse 18). Whilst in the
following, he says: “I delight in the law of God (the inward man)"
(Verse 22).
 The “me”, in Verse 18 refers to the old nature, while the “I” in
THE NEW MAN & THE OLD MAN
Verse 22 refers to the new. In the former dwells no good thing,
while the latter delights in the law of God.

The Old Nature/Flesh in the Believer:

As born-again believers, we must recognise the presence of the

old/flesh nature within. To not do so has dangerous
implications for our own walk with Christ and for those we are
called to parent/lead.

The old nature in the believer is that which is created of the

flesh. It is called, the flesh, the old man, the natural man, the
carnal mind.

Just as “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans
8:8), so, that which is of the flesh, in the believer, cannot please
God.

The flesh, as we have already seen, is totally depraved. God calls

it “sinful flesh”. (Romans 8:3), warns that it seeks “occasion” to
do wrong (Galatians 5:13) and declares that “the works of the
flesh” are all bad (Galatians 5:19-21).

The old nature in the believer is not one which improves by its
contact with the new. It cannot become "better". It can only
become "deader".

It is with respect to the flesh in the believer, that even in

himself, the apostle Paul declares that in it “dwells no good
thing” (Romans 7:18), that it is “carnal, sold under sin” (Romans
7:14), that it is “corrupt according to the deceitful lusts”
(Ephesians. 4:22), that it is at “enmity against God” and is “not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:7).
 The flesh remains in the believer after salvation. It is the old
THE NEW MAN & THE OLD MAN
"Adamic" nature. It is sinful by nature. It cannot be improved. It
cannot be changed. “That which is born [begotten] of the flesh
is flesh,” said our Lord (John 3:6) and it is as impossible to
improve the old man in the believer as it was to make him
acceptable to God in the first place. We sin because we are
born sinners.

The old man was condemned and dealt with judicially at the
cross. Never once is the believer instructed to try to do anything
with him or to make anything of him, but always to reckon him
dead, and so “put him off.”

The Old Nature/Flesh Will Be With Us This Side of Heaven:

Many born again believers, trust that their old

nature/flesh/sinful nature has been completely separated
from their new creation at salvation. (Positionally this is true.)
However, this incomplete theology can lead to condemnation
and often relational separation from other believers and from
Father. (Romans 8:1). This is referred to as the Doctrine of
Eradication.

“First, the doctrine of eradication, far from taking a truly serious

view of sin, takes a very shallow, superficial view of it. Those who
teach it suppose that if we could get rid of the sins we
recognize, we should be perfect, not realizing that at our very
best we all, having fallen into sin in Adam, constantly “come
short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and will continue to
come short of it until we are transformed to be “like Him.” Thus
“We, through the Spirit, WAIT for the hope of [perfect, personal]
righteousness by faith” (Galatians 5:5).

For those who feel that they have achieved the eradication of
 the old nature, others will be able to verify that indeed they
THE NEW MAN & THE OLD MAN
have not. Generally, those who claim to be without sin are guilty
of one of the greatest of all sins—spiritual pride. Certainly, the
doctrine of eradication is a flat contradiction of Scripture. The
first epistle of John, emphatically declares: “If we say that we
have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (I
John 1:8).

“If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His
Word is not in us” (I John 1:10).

Paul also speaks of “the law of sin which is in my members”

(Romans 7:23) and urges constant reliance upon the Holy Spirit
for His overcoming power (Romans 8:11-13; Galatians 5:16,25).
Indeed, if the doctrine of eradication were Scripturally sound,
there would be no reason for Paul to instruct all believers to deal
with the old nature, in such terms as: “reckon,” “yield not,” “put
off,” “mortify,” etc.

But let us suppose for the moment that it were possible to

achieve the eradication of the flesh; would that also dispose of
our other two enemies, the world and the devil? Surely not.
Having rid ourselves only of the fallen nature of Adam, we
would, like Adam before the fall, be as subject to temptation
from without as he, and would as surely fall. But the Scriptures
clearly teach that we all fell once in Adam: “by one man, sin
entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed
upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

The New Nature of the Believer:

Anything that is good in any man has been put there by God.
Something good—a new, sinless nature—has been imparted
by God to every believer.
 Whilst there is still within us, “that which is begotten of the
THE NEW MAN & THE OLD MAN
flesh,” there is also “that which is begotten of the Spirit,” and just
as the one is totally depraved and “cannot please God,” so the
other is perfect and always pleases Him.

Adam was originally created in the image and likeness of God,

but he fell into sin and later “begat a son in HIS OWN likeness,
after HIS image” (Genesis 5:3). It could not be otherwise. Fallen
Adam could generate and beget only fallen, sinful offspring,
whom even the law could not change. But “what the law could
not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His
own Son IN THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH, and for sin,”
accomplished, “that the righteousness of the law might be
fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”
(Romans 8:3,4). (It is important to reaffirm that Jesus did not
become a fallen man when He came to earth - He became a
sacred human being as did His word (except for when sin was
put upon Him on the cross at the end of His life).

As Adam was made in the likeness of God, but fell, so Christ was
made in the likeness of sinful flesh, to redeem us from the fall.
That by grace, through the operation of the Spirit, a new
creation might be brought into being, a “new man…renewed in
knowledge after the image of Him that created him”
(Colossians 3:10) a “new man, which, after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

In addition to our fallen "Adamic" nature, we, through faith, have

also become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). This is
the “inner man” of which Paul speaks in Ephesians 3:16, and this
“inward man” delights to do God’s will (Romans 7:22).

Let us thank God that the old nature is under the condemnation
of death. Judicially, it has already been dealt
 with. It was put to death representatively in Christ. Practically it
THE NEW MAN & THE OLD MAN
will come to its end when our “earthly house…is dissolved” (2
Corinthians 5:1) or when we are “changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52)
and “caught up…to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians
4:17), but the new nature—that which is begotten of God—will
never die. In the first place, it does not come under the
condemnation of sin. In the second, it is that which is begotten,
“not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of
God, which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23).

Paul, by the Spirit, gives particular emphasis to this fact, as it

affects believers in this present arrangement. For we are not
only “begotten” of the Spirit and given the resurrection life of
Christ, but we belong to the “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17;
Ephesians 2:10) which God will glorify “in the ages to come,” in
order to “show the exceeding riches of His grace” (Ephesians
2:7).

We have now cleared the way for a consideration of the conflict

between the old nature and the new, and of the means placed
at our disposal to overcome the old.

The Conflict Between the Old and New Natures:

The epistles of Paul have much to say about the conflict

continually going on between the old and new natures in the
believer. God has a gracious purpose in permitting this conflict
and it has its real advantages to the believer; also, abundant
provision has been made for spiritual victory in any given case,
but before considering all this, let us deal first with the fact of
the conflict itself.

Concerning this conflict, the Apostle Paul writes, by inspiration:

 “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
THE NEW MAN & THE OLD MAN
flesh: and these are contrary to one another: so that you cannot
do the things that you would” (Galatians 5:17).

Regarding this conflict in his own personal experience, he

writes:

“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would
not, that I do....For I delight in the law of God after the inward
man:...“But I see another law in my members, warring against
the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of
sin which is in my members” (Romans 7:19,22,23).

It has been taught by some that we need not experience this

continual strife between the old nature and the new. They say:
“Get out of Romans 7 and into Romans 8.”

We must remember that the Apostle Paul wrote Romans 7 and

Romans 8 at the same sitting; that in the original, the letter
goes right on without interruption—without even a chapter
division.

Therefore, the same apostle who exclaims: “There is therefore

now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus”
(Romans 8:1) refers in the same letter, only a few sentences
before, using the present tense, to “the law of sin which IS in my
members,” and freely acknowledges the present operation of
that law in his members, as we have seen above. How then shall
we get out of Romans 7 and into Romans 8? Paul experienced
both at the same time, and so do we, for while we are free from
the condemnation of sin, sin itself nevertheless continues to
work within us.

It is true indeed that no amount of striving can improve the old

 "Adamic" nature. However, it is not true that there should be no
THE NEW MAN & THE OLD MAN
strife between the old and new natures. Otherwise, the
exhortations not to “yield” to the dictates of the old nature, but
to “put off” the deeds of the old man and “mortify,” or put to
death, our earthward inclinations, would all be meaningless.

The conflict described in Romans 7 is experienced in the life of

every believer.

“The good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not,
that I do. Oh wretched man that I am!” We should acknowledge
the naked truth of Galatians 5:17 and Romans 7:22,23.

Should it be asked how we are to be blamed if we “cannot” do

the things that we would. We reply that Galatians 5:17 was not
written to teach us our helplessness, but rather our utter
depravity. The Spirit is always present and willing to bestow
needed help, but we are so inherently bad by nature that we
never consistently succeed in doing the things that we would.
Indeed, the flesh wages constant, relentless war to prevent us
from doing them.

It is true that the believer has been made “free from sin” by
grace (Romans 6:14,18); that is, he need not, yea, should not,
yield to sin in any given case (Romans 6:12,13). It is also true that
the believer is “free from the law of sin and death” (Romans
8:2) for Christ bore the death penalty for him. But no believer is
free from the presence of what Paul calls “the law of sin which
is in my members;” that is, from the old nature, with its
inherent tendency to do wrong.

Nor is he free from the conflict with the new nature, which this
involves. If we would be truly spiritual and deal in a Scriptural
way with the sin that indwells us, we must clearly recognize its
 presence; we must face the fact that while, praise God, we are
THE NEW MAN & THE OLD MAN
no longer “in sin,” sin is still in us, and that though the “old
man” is counted as having died with Christ, he is still alive and
very active as far as our experience is concerned.

The Blessings of the Conflict:

But this conflict should not discourage us, for it is one of the
sure signs of true salvation. It is unknown to the unbeliever, for
only the additional presence of the new nature, along with the
old, causes this conflict, for “these are contrary the one to the
other.”

If we did not experience this conflict at all it could only mean

that we were not saved, for with two natures so utterly
incompatible, dwelling within, conflict would be inevitable. If we
know little of this conflict, it can only mean that the old nature,
in any of its subtle, deceitful forms, has attained the upper hand.
For when the new nature asserts itself, as it should, the old
nature is sure to “war” against it even more fiercely.

Not only is the conflict within us a sure sign of salvation; it also

creates within us a deep and necessary sense of our inward
corruption, and of the infinite grace of a Holy God in saving us
and ministering to us daily in helping us to overcome sin. And in
turn this again gives us a more understanding approach as we
proclaim to the lost, the gospel of the grace of God.
 The Flesh:
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Galatians 5:19-21 - "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual
immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and
witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish
ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness,
orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those
who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Romans 7:5 - "For when we were in the realm of the flesh,[a]

the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so
that we bore fruit for death."

Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for

those who are in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 5:17 - "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the

Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in
conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever
you want."

Galatians 5:24 - "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have

crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Galatians 6:8 - "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh
reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the
Spirit reap everlasting life."

Ephesians 2:1-3 - "And you He made alive, who were dead in

trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to
the course of this world according to the prince of the power
of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted
ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the
flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath,
just as the others.
 Colossians 3:2 - "Set your mind on things above, not on
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things on the earth."

The Spirit:
Galatians 5:16-18 - "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you
shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against
the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are
contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things
that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not
under the law."

Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore now no condemnation to

those who are in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:3-6 - "For what the law could not do in that it was
weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in
the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin He condemned
sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law
might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the
flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live
according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the
flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of
the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace."

Romans 8:14 - "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

these are sons of God."

Galatians 5:25 - "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the
Spirit."

Colossians 3:1-2 - "If then you were raised with Christ, seek
those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the
right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on
things on the earth."
 2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but
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of power and of love and of a sound mind."

In Christ:
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all
things have become new."

Colossians 3:1 - "If then you were raised with Christ, seek
those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the
right hand of God."

Romans 8:9-10 - "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit,
if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does
not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in
you, the body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is life
because of righteousness."

Ephesians 1:3-7 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord

Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world that we should be holy
and without blame before Him in love, having predestined
us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according
to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of
His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In
Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

Ephesians 1:22-23 - "And He put all things under His feet and
gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is
His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
 1 Corinthians 12:15-18 - "If the foot should say, "Because I am
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES
not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the
body? And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I
am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? If the
whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the
whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now
God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just
as He pleased."

Colossians 3:3-4 - "For you died, and your life is hidden with
Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you
also will appear with Him in glory."

John 6:44 - "No one can come to Me unless the Father who
sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day."

Romans 8:1-2 - "There is therefore now no condemnation to

those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to
the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin
and death."

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 - "For as the body is one and has many

members, but all the members of that one body, being
many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit, we
were all baptised into one body—whether Jews or Greeks,
whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink
into one Spirit."

1 Corinthians 1:30 - "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who

became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and
sanctification and redemption"
 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 - "that is, that God was in Christ
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reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their
trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of
reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ as
though God were pleading through us: we implore you on
Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who
knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him."

Ephesians 1:20 - "which He worked in Christ when He raised

Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the
heavenly places,"

Colossians 3:11 - "where there is neither Greek nor Jew,

circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave
nor free, but Christ is all and in all."

John 17:21 - "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in
Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the
world may believe that You sent Me."

Romans 6:6 - "knowing this, that our old man was crucified
with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that
we should no longer be slaves of sin."

1 Corinthians 12:21 - "And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I
have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have
no need of you."

1 Corinthians 12:26-27 - "And if one member suffers, all the

members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the
members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and
members individually."
 Galatians 3:27-28 - "For as many of you as were baptized
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES
into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor
female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 6:15 - "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor

uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation."

Ephesians 2:5-7 - "even when we were dead in trespasses,

made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been
saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to
come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His
kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Colossians 2:9 - "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the

Godhead bodily;"

1 John 2:4-6 - "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep
His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But
whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in
him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he
abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."

1 John 5:11-12 - "And this is the testimony: that God has given
us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son
has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have
life."

Romans 6:11 - "Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be

dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

2 Corinthians 3:14-15 - "But their minds were blinded. For

until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of
the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
 New Creation:
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES

2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a

new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all
things have become new."

Galatians 6:15 - "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor

uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation."

Ephesians 4:22-24 - "that you put off, concerning your

former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according
to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your
mind, and that you put on the new man which was created
according to God."

Romans 6:4 - "Therefore, we were buried with Him through

baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the
dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk
in newness of life."

Romans 6:6 - "knowing this, that our old man was crucified
with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that
we should no longer be slaves of sin."

John 3:3 - "Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly,

I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see 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."

Acts 2:38 - "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every
one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit."
 Ephesians 2:1 - "And you He made alive, who were dead in
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES
trespasses and sins,"

Colossians 3:10 -"and have put on the new man who is

renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who
created him,"

1 Peter 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten
us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead,"

Psalm 51:7 - "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Process of Salvation:

Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace you have been saved through

faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."

Philippians 2:12 - "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always

obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in
my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling;"

John 6:44 - "No one can come to Me unless the Father who
sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day."

2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a

new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all
things have become new."

Acts 3:19 - "Repent therefore and be converted, that your

sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may
come from the presence of the Lord,"
 Philippians 1:6 - "being confident of this very thing, that He
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES
who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the
day of Jesus Christ;"

Titus 3:5-7 - "not by works of righteousness which we have

done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the
washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should
become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Hebrews 4:1 - "Therefore, since a promise remains of

entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have
come short of it."

Hebrews 6:1 -" Therefore, leaving the discussion of the

elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not
laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works
and of faith toward God,"

Romans 2:13 - "for not the hearers of the law are just in the
sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;"

2 Corinthians 3:18 - "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding

as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed
into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit
of the Lord."

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no

longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who
loved me and gave Himself for me."

John 17:17 - "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

 Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore now no condemnation to
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES
those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to
the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

Romans 8:29 - "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined

to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be
the firstborn among many brethren."

Ephesians 4:24 - "and that you put on the new man which
was created according to God, in true righteousness and
holiness."

Colossians 1:21-23 - "And you, who once were alienated and

enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has
reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present
you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if
indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast,
and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which
you heard, which was preached to every creature under
heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister."

Colossians 3:10 - "and have put on the new man who is

renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who
created him,"

2 Thessalonians 2:13 - "But we are bound to give thanks to

God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because
God from the beginning chose you for salvation through
sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,"

2 Timothy 1:9 - "who has saved us and called us with a holy

calling, not according to our works, but according to His own
purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus
before time began,"
 Hebrews 3:12-14 - "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES
you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest
any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin For
we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning
of our confidence steadfast to the end,"

Hebrews 12:14 - "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness,

without which no one will see the Lord:"

James 2:17-18 - "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have

works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I
have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I
will show you my faith by my works"

James 2:22 - "Do you see that faith was working together
with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?"

Matthew 25:29-30 "For to everyone who has, more will be

given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does
not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the
unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Matthew 25:40-41 - "And the King will answer and say to

them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one
of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." "Then He
will also say to those on the left hand, "Depart from Me, you
cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his
angels:"

John 15:2 - "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He

takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes,
that it may bear more fruit."
 Romans 6:1-2 - "What shall we say then? Shall we continue
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in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we
who died to sin live any longer in it?"

Romans 7:12 - "Therefore, the law is holy, and the

commandment holy and just and good."

Romans 12:1-2 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the

mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may
prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God."

1 Corinthians 3:15 - "If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer

loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

1 Corinthians 6:20 - "For you were bought at a price;

therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which
are God's."

1 Corinthians 15:49 - "And as we have borne the image of the

man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly
Man."

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 - "Now then, we are ambassadors for

Christ , as though God were pleading through us: we implore
you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made
Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become
the righteousness of God in Him."

Ephesians 4:17 - "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord,

that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles
walk, in the futility of their mind,"
 Ephesians 4:20-22 - "But you have not so learned Christ, if
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES
indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him,
as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your
former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according
to the deceitful lusts,"

Colossians 3:12 - "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and

beloved, put-on tender mercies, kindness, humility,
meekness , longsuffering"

1 Timothy 6:12 - "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on

eternal life, to which you were also called and have
confessed the good confession in the presence of many
witnesses."

Hebrews 4:16 - "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of

grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in
time of need."

1 Peter 4:17 - "For the time has come for judgment to begin
at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be
the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"

1 John 2:4 - "He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep
His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

Revelation 20:12 - "And I saw the dead, small and great,

standing before God, and books were opened. And another
book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead
were judged according to their works, by the things which
were written in the books."

1 Corinthians 1:18 - "For the message of the cross is

foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are
being saved it is the power of God."
 TWO NATURES
Natalie Holmyard

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First publication 1st March, 2022