Man is the spirit creature of God, created and formed in the image and likeness of God and put into an earthen vessel to represent the will of God (the King of the invisible realm) on the earth (the visible realm).
From that definition, it become clear that man is a unitary being with composite parts, such as the spirit, soul and body; thus, to understand man, we must first understand the constituents of man. Hence, the beginning of knowledge of man, is the knowledge of everything associated with man.
In Genesis 2:7, the Scriptures reveal how God formed the man from the dust of the earth and released a portion of His Spirit into him, and how that man became a living being (soul).
Apparently, from Genesis 1:26, man was created by God and given dominion over the earth and all that is in it; however, being only a spirit then, the man required an earthen vessel (suit) to be relevant and effective upon the earth. So, God went further in Genesis 2:7 to form the body of man (the cloth of man) from the earth; for him (the man) to be relevant and effective on the earth.
Thus, it is the body of man that makes man (the spirit creature of God) to be relevant and effective on the earth; for the body of man is made of an earthen material – that is, God took a part of the earth to form a body for man, to contain (holdhouse) man and enable him to relate well with the earthly things.
However, the same body (flesh) that enables man to relate with and appreciate earthly things, also have some serious weaknesses – and since every product is as strong and as weak as the nature of its raw materials; the body of man equally suffers from the inherent weaknesses of the material that was used in making it – the earth (clay)!
As we know, many strong metals that we know today, such as iron, tin, gold, diamond, etc., are found under the earth; the earth itself is not equally strong like them. So, the body of man suffers the inherent weaknesses of the earth.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Corinthains 4:7-8
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthains 4:16-17
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 Corinthians 5:1-2
All the Scriptures above point to one truth that man has an earthly housevessel; and it is inside such vesselhouse that the soul and spirit of man resides. And the state of the earthly house, does not always suggest the state of the spirit and soul of man.
But going back to the issue of the weakness of everyman’s body, we must note that God is not ignorant of the weaknesses of man’s bodyflesh; hence, He has made amply provisions for every man through His grace!
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthains 12:7-10
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. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:5-8
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.
Galatians 5:16-18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to 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. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 7:18-25
Truly, no man can do without the body (flesh): For even Christ needed a body to be relevant and effective on the earth – Jesus!
That is why, when Christ* came into the world, he said to God,
"You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.
But you have given me a body to offer.
You were not pleased with burnt offerings
or other offerings for sin.
Then I said, 'Look, I have come to do your will, O God—
as is written about me in the Scriptures.'"*
Hebrews 10:5-7 (NLT)
The point is, every man is created and formed to do the will of God on the earth, through the earthen vessel called body (flesh); but the flesh has contrary (opposite) desire from the Spirit; hence, any man that is governed(led or ruled) by his fleshody, will never do the will of God – Spirit. And thus, no one that is ruled by his flesh can ever please God. (Romans 8:8)
Therefore, since man needs the body to be relevant and effective on the earth, and man must never be guided or ruled by his bodyflesh, and the truth is that the flesh always strive against the Spirit; thus, every man must cling strongly to the grace of God, which is expected to help a man put his body under – in the pursuit of the will of God on the earth.
But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].
1 Corinthains 9:27 (AMP)
So, like Apostle Paul, the man that demonstrated and preached extensively on the grace of God for the saints; we must continually discipline our bodies, putting them under – and perhaps you would like to know what your body should be under; then let us go to Ephesians 6.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist
with truth, having put on the breastplate
of righteousness, and having shod your
feet with the preparation of the gospel
of peace; above all, taking the shield
of faith with which you will be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints —
Ephesians 6:13-18
Brethren, the secret of suppressing the weaknesses of the bodyflesh as representatives of God on the earth in the fulfillment of His will – is grace; however, to enjoy grace continually, one must put on the whole armor of God. Hence, the pathprinciple of grace is loaded with the armor of god; and the only way to enjoy the grace of God is to walk in its paths, by putting on the armor of God.
The Path of Grace
- Truth;
- Righteousness;
- Gospel of peace;
- Faith;
- Salvation;
- Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) and
- Prayer.
Thus, the armor of God is the guarantor of grace; while grace is the power of God available for men in subduing the weaknesses of their fleshody.
