The Spirit of Man Bible Teaching

Special Teaching on the Spirit of Man

Welcome Prayer Song Silence

The Role of Laws in Religion and Society

So, last week we talked about the suffering that faithful souls present in the Old Testament, then in the Bride of the Apostolic Record and then today – and we oddly couched this in a conversation around “Law” and how it’s application is in this material world and life - in the world, in government, religion, education, the arts and sciences but not in relationship to following honoring or pleasing God.

We said, Laws run this world, and if you want to get on in it, you might as well as get used to obeying them or to be disqualified, excluded and even punished - depending on the laws you break, whether of the land, job, community, or even the Laws people say are God’s, which are always captured in organized material religion. Because Laws rule in this world, most followers of God also maintain that Law-keeping determines our heavenly status and every individual that stands before Him.

Growing up LDS, but having a very different and particular set of traits and characteristics that were focused on things most people wouldn’t really like but especially the LDS, I especially felt like every advancement that I would have in the church – Getting baptized Graduating from Primary Merit badges Getting the Aaronic priesthood Getting the Melchizedek Going to the temple Going on a mission Getting married - All of which bore with them insinuated instruction for “more,” for “progress,” for greater personal adaptations by and through obedience to what they say are their “laws and ordinances of the gospel.” It sort of felt like, “Now that you have “done this,” Shawn, we expect you to now “accomplish that,” follow by complicity to more of their laws, which subtly but freely included “perhaps you should start to think about this and to be more like that”, and in the end, we will call you to be “this or that” and this is because you have become, “this or that,” in our estimation.

A truly sound religious processing for this life, in my estimation and all around me were hundreds of examples of how to be – from a prophet to twelve apostles to Stake Presidents to Bishops to the members themselves. It was truly nothing short of an astute practice of Spiritual/temporal eugenics. They are master-minds of it and how the culture operates. All in the ostensible service of heavenly father and His laws, right? I submit to you, without any further clarification today, that all of this was and is from

The Spirit of Man

Is of and for this world And its value remains here.

Unfortunately for everyone involved in that religion, when I came to know Christ directly, I embarked on a road where He gently but continually suggested that instead of trusting men and law and religion I ought to trust Him - alone, as if He was saying, “Now that you are mine, why don’t you use how I made you to become more independent from this world, to live true to who you are, (which was truly an artistically minded anarchist of sorts) while you pursue the truth and never ever again let anyone or anything come between us?”

Through religion, I had Law. Through Him, “Spirit, Truth and ultimately, after many lessons, genuine Liberty.

Paul's Warning in Colossians

As a means to train the Bride in his day against the laws of religion and the Spirit of Man (and in that day, Spirits of evil) let’s consider the astute writings of Paul found in Colossians 2 (beginning at verse 8). Notice that what he is describing is how the believers were to be VERY CAREFUL of the Spirit of Man around them, whether on the Good Light side or the Dark evil side, in terms of the influence and power they were to give to it.

So he says to the believers in that day, 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through 1) philosophy and 2) vain deceit, after 3) the tradition of men, 4) after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. That word translation in the King James, :spoil you” is poor because it really means “beware lest any MAN “take you or carry you away through . . .” And he lists four specific things that have the capacity. “Beware lest any man carry you away,” (Paul writes to the believers in his day) and the first thing He says is through “philosophy” Talk about the Spirit of Man! Philosophy is a direct by-product from the high functioning mind of man that is able to

Understanding Philosophy and Its Limitations

make sense of many things in this world, but fails to really understand the mind of God. The word philosophy is made up of two Greek terms, philos, “meaning love” and sophia meaning wisdom. Beware that any man take you away through “Love of wisdom from the mind of man.“ Philosophy. “Beware of it,” Paul says to the people of Colosse which was a city greatly influenced by the Greek love of wisdom but probably included Jewish sophistries too. All from the Spirit of Man. All applicable to this world. None of it able to compete with the wisdom of Christ, the Spirit of Christ and the mind of God. To me it’s all “stop gap” information, a short cut to worldly wisdom, and therefore incomplete of the facts and lacking by comparison to the Spirit of Christ. But (LISTEN) it thrives in this world through the Spirit of Man and I would even go so far as to suggest that if often works here in this realm. Paul adds to his “beware of list” and says, and

Vain Deceit and Traditions of Men

“vain deceit” The Greek is better described in English as “empty delusions.” Remember, His Light dispels unreality. Light shines into delusions. In and through the Spirit of Man we have a tendency to delude ourselves over innumerable things we want to see as reality. Paul says they are “empty” and they are untrue, again, relative to the reality of what comes from the Spirit of Christ, which is true, clear, absolute. Third, he says, “after the traditions of men” Empty deceits after the traditions (of who?) Men! Especially everything that comes from the Spirit of Man in terms of God. Man’s conclusions and their religious laws. On earth we unquestionably stand on the Spirit of Man and the traditions that we have established. The Spirit of Man is not incapable and because we are made in His image this Spirit and its value on earth is vast. We have used this Spirit (because God gave us the right here on earth to) to created train, car and air travel, to beat disease, to build incomprehensible sky scrapers, manage trillions of dollars, educate ourselves and in my estimation we have used our collective souls to also create disease, pollution, crime, suffering, governmental abuse, human trafficking, and manipulations of every kind. The Spirit and the traditions of Man might work, establish order or disorder, provide systems, processes or chaos – and they may really work here – but they are of men, and not of God. Therefore, they operate in some manner of shadow, darkness and ultimately, death, because they will not, do not, carry on into the Kingdom above.

Rudiments of the World

And then the topper? Paul says, “After the rudiments of the world.” This word rudiment in the Greek is stoi-kay-o and means from the rank, order, systems, and base constituents or fundamentals” of what? “Of the world.” So we have scriptural validation that this world, operating by the Spirit of Man, has ways, orders, and systems – often based on laws, policies, orders. But they are “of this world,” and not of the Father, as John plainly wrote, “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life ARE OF THIS WORLD and are NOT of the Father.” Then Paul says, “and not of Christ.” Meaning, none of those things are of Christ. None of those things are of the Father. Are they part of life in this world? They are! Again – the things of man, in every form, dark and light – good and evil – are of this world and not of the father!! Are they permissible and necessary for us here and now – to some extent, yes and they have certainly BECOME so – but Paul warns believers then not to let them spoil believers but for them to instead follow Christ.

After giving this warning to them, Paul continues, and speaking of Christ, says 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: The circumcision of Christ refers to a non-material circumcision that Christ offers us all by faith. While I suggest that Christ is in all, I do

Spiritual Circumcision

Not believe that His circumcision made without hands is given unconditionally – to me, it is a choice each individual allows. Through the rudiments and traditions of Man there was a materially focused Law in place that demanded “physical circumcision of the flesh,” but Paul wants the believers to see that the real spiritual circumcision is made without hands and is accomplished on males and females in their hearts. It is spiritual. It is inward. And it speaks to the cutting away of the hard heart tissue allowing our human Law based hearts and minds to become soft, humble, contrite, and not of this world. Paul continues and says, 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Baptism and Allegiance

In that day, a day where the outer observances of Jewish religion were passing away water baptism was a dangerous public expression of an inward heart for the Bride. Members submitted to it to show courageous and uncompromised allegiance to Him – and act that often put their lives in direct material jeopardy. I think it was a similar act then to the practice of fleshly circumcision of old, and was used to identify those who at least outwardly were willing to come forth and say, in the face of tremendous risk, “I follow Christ who you killed.” Paul uses this water baptism to illustrate the symbolism of the believer being buried with Christ (in the water) then being raised up with him through the faith of the operation of God, whom Paul says, raised Him from the dead, meaning raised to new life by and through His very resurrection.

And Paul says, 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. This was Paul’s way of helping the believers see that the religious traditions of man, found in material expressions and Law, were dead.

Warnings Against Judgments

I am of the opinion he was talking directly about the wayward, philosophically-based, rudiments of the world, traditions of man religion of the Jews (and also the Greeks) That is why he then adds and says, 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Stop letting people control you in outward religious expressions of Law-keeping,” brothers and sisters. Stop judging each other by such things. They are of the Spirit of Man. Rudiments of the world which, he says, 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the substance is of Christ. Meaning, the reality is not the shadow, the substance (the reality) is “of Christ,” not of the Law or ordinances picturing Him - just Him. Only Him. All these other ordinances were shadows of the very substance of Christ Himself. They all prefigured Him and there is a huge difference between a body or substance and a shadow – one is an outline the other is the real deal. Since we have the real thing, in other words, the shadow of it is deemed hollow and useless.

Then he adds more warning to them and says, 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in 1) a voluntary humility and 2) worshipping of angels, 3) intruding into those things which he hath not seen, 4) vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 5) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

So, Paul says, “Don’t let ANYONE beguile you of your reward” which he has clearly taught comes by faith alone and not in, and he gives us five examples, first saying, not in “Voluntary humility” Don’t let them judge you as being inferior and to try to withhold reward from you because you reject their practices of “Voluntary humility.” What is that? I maintain that it was, “Delighting in, demanding, expecting culturally exhibited humility.” It speaks to feigned expressed signs of humility that are really not of the heart, but of the will and only appear “humble.”

The Dangers of False Humility and Misplaced Focus

In other words, ways and appearances that support a culture of demanded humility present in that day instead of humility that comes from the broken and contrite heart before God. It’s wearing “sac-cloth and ashes” (ashes on the forehead) and winced faces to show great feigned contrition causing others to say, “ah, he is so humble.” Paul says don’t allow these false culture, this tradition of men, beguile you. Trick you. He adds

“And worshipping of angels.”

It is so tempting to teach this literally, but that would be a mistake even though we have evidence that human’s (when meeting angels in the text) tended to venerate or worship them. John did this in Revelation and Abraham moved toward doing this as well. While tempting and convenient, the word translated here to worshipping comes from a very different Greek term that is typically translated to worship, (proscuneo,) but here it is “thrace-kiah,” used only four times in the Apostolic Record – with three of those times being translated to “religion” – so the better translation is, “Don’t let anyone beguile you through “the religion of angels.”

Intruding into the Unseen

And this appears to mean, through people acting like they are angelic or who claim to literally follow the humble ways of heavenly beings. And he adds, “Intruding into those things which he has not seen.” The word intruding seems to mean delving or investigating into matters that we really do not know or understand and making that the focus instead of focusing on Christ and the simplicity with which we walk with Him. This does not suggest we do not seek, question, wonder, discuss – but seems to be directly warning them against what the Greeks and Helenized Jews were really fond of doing – endlessly – and the danger is that we can be beguiled off the path of Christ in the end.

I see this beguiling happening all the time in the lives of people even today. Ever meet someone who is a one note believer – someone fixated on those things that we have not seen? They have allowed “the mindset of delving” to derail where their focus should be but instead become like Peter on the stormy waters and sink because they take their eyes off Him. The Nephilm. The Watchers. Enochian teachings, flat earth, Every single conspiracy theory. Celestial kingdoms Visions of the afterlife even into claiming that they have been taken into the throne of God. The ark and the animals. It’s not a warning against the occasional romp in the areas, its what really consumes the mind, will, emotions and heart.

The Spirit of Man and Vanity

I know a man who will NOT stop delving into and talking about Satan and how he works through our cell phones. You cannot have a discussion with him without this coming up. I know a woman who cannot refrain, no matter how often I talk to her, about the Nephilm, the Giants, the Sons of God and the daughters of men. I once knew a man who learned the faith from the fulfilled position and now is so bored he spends his time ranting and raving over politics, evil in the world and such. This is what Paul warns about. Then he adds, “Vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” This speaks to the Spirit of Man – philosophy, rudiments of this world, traditions of Man they all puff up, add vanity to our minds.

Friends, it’s all from the Spirit of Man and while tantalizing to us here and now, and while it is even super capable of operating in this world, it all ultimately leads to death because it all ends, stops and loses all application or power in the Kingdom to come. I am not suggesting that it is all unimportant or unapplicable to our lives – it has import to our material well being - but put it in check – no matter how great or enticing it may be.

Paul adds, “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." Another way to read this is, (RSV) and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. Of course the head is Christ which must be held for us to increase with the increase of God! Paul concludes these instructions and says, 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though

The Spirit of Man and the World

Living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Meaning, since you have died with Christ from all that is in this world (in terms of priorities) why do you live like you are a citizen of this world and subject yourselves to ordinances (LAWS - like what to not eat or touch) which Paul says will all perish (die) “JUST LIKE ALL THE COMMANDMENTS AND DOCTRINES OF MEN!” And we are faced with a reality about being human which I have never really understood before – as human being we all have traits, inclinations, skills, insights, gifts, abilities, penchants and even deep inspiring inspirations. They range in scope from our sexual orientations, our athleticisms, our skills, our traits, our fleshly desires to thrive and create and they also include our personal weakness and strengths.

Human Traits and Influences

These we pursue and use as humans in this world and these we exist in the here and now. They abide in us all through memetic transference – which is exactly what Paul has described here to the Bride in that day and warns them against. I suggest that this is the Spirit of Man. This is what makes the material world spin. Philosophy. Ordinances. Rudiments of the world. And these things all lay on a spectrum of Light (Good) and Dark (Evil) depending on how we choose to use them. Meaning as humans we can use them meanly, selfishly, angrily, despotically, arrogantly, egotistically (meaning with evil intention) or kindly, generously, peacefully, humbly, with Good fair intention for yourself, family, neighbor and the world. And by and through these things we make our lives here and now. THEY Govern OUR material world by Law. But they all end here for us with only what was sown of the Spirit of Christ in our hearts and for others remaining.

Paul speaking of the Spirit of Man and describing their allure adds an important point about them as says, (which) 23 “have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; but not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. Another way to read this is, (WNT) These rules have indeed an appearance of wisdom where self-imposed worship exists, and an affectation of humility and an ascetic severity. But not one of them is of any value in combating the indulgence of our lower natures (or our weak flesh).

Spiritual Growth and the Spirit of Christ

With ALL of this under our feet, we are ready to move forward, hopefully into what I will introduce to you now (I has taken a lifetime of seeking to really understand the following and I share it with you with the admittance that I may be wrong in many or even all places. But what I want to illustrate for you today is how I see what I call the first cycle of spiritual growth available to all through the Spirit of Christ in them, if they are willing. It is a cursory explanation or outline as I have expanded it out and developed it in what we are calling, the Four L’s and the Four Traits. Look for this series to come forth in the near future.

So, today, let’s wrap our time up by trying to illustrate how believers today, in the face of fulfillment, embark on growing in the faith and avoiding all the sand traps in this world that come from the Spirit of Man. Because our projector is out, I am going to go to the WHITE BOARD.

FIRST CYCLE (our flesh – mind, will, emotion)

BEWARE!!!!!! FALSE LIGHT THAT NEVER WARMS SANDTRAPS/OFF THE PATH BUILDING PRIDE / JUDGEMENT / ARROGANCE FEAR/FLESH/FORTUNE