Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life. CMS-011 and 012: What is Man? Part 1

Transcription

1 Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life CMS-011 and 012: What is Man? Part 1 Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 1

2 1 Thessalonians 5:23 "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Tri-Partate Nature Body Spirit Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 2

3 Remember, last week we closed with this question... So, who is the Elephant and who is the Rider? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 3

4 You said... Human Good Conscience (Reins) Human Bad Let's try it again, shall we? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 4

5 "The image that I came up with for myself, as I marveled at my weakness, was that I was a rider on the back of an elephant. I m holding the reins in my hands, and by pulling one way or the other I can tell the elephant to turn, to stop, or to go. I can direct things, but only when the elephant doesn t have desires of his own. When the elephant really wants to do something, I m no match for him." - Haidt Is this Human Good, or Morality trying to control Human Bad? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 5

6 "When language evolved, the human brain was not reengineered to hand over the reins of power to the rider (conscious verbal thinking). Things were already working pretty well, and linguistic ability spread to the extent that it helped the elephant do something important in a better way. The rider evolved to serve to the elephant." - Haidt Does the Human Good "serve" Human Bad? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 6

7 "The automatic system has its finger on the dopamine release button. The controlled system, in contrast, is better seen as an advisor. It s a rider placed on the elephant s back to help the elephant make better choices. The rider can see farther into the future, and the rider can learn valuable information by talking to other riders or by reading maps, but the rider cannot order the elephant around against its will." Is this "Advisor" function appropriate to Human Good? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 7

8 " In sum, the rider is an advisor or servant; not a king, president, or charioteer with a firm grip on the reins. The rider is Gazzaniga s interpreter module; it is conscious, controlled thought. The elephant, in contrast, is everything else. The elephant includes the gut feelings, visceral reactions, emotions, and intuitions that comprise much of the automatic system. The elephant and the rider each have their own intelligence, and when they work together well they enable the unique brilliance of human beings." - Haidt What about these descriptors? Does it still sound like the Rider is Human Good? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 8

9 " In sum, the rider is an advisor or servant; not a king, president, or charioteer with a firm grip on the reins. Would Human Good be an "Advisor" to the Human Bad? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 9

10 The rider is Gazzaniga s interpreter module; it is conscious, controlled thought. The elephant, in contrast, is everything else. The elephant includes the gut feelings, visceral reactions, emotions, and intuitions that comprise much of the automatic system. If the Rider is ONLY "conscious, controlled thought", is that a description of Human Good? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 10

11 The elephant includes the gut feelings, visceral reactions, emotions, and intuitions that comprise much of the automatic system. If this is the Elephant, does it conform to the concept of being "Human Bad", or Immorality? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 11

12 ... Mischel discovered that the successful children were those who looked away from the temptation or were able to think about other enjoyable activities.28 These thinking skills are an aspect of emotional intelligence an ability to understand and regulate one s own feelings and desires. An emotionally intelligent person has a skilled rider who knows how to distract and coax the elephant without having to engage in a direct contest of wills."- Haidt Does this ability to "distract and coax" the Elephant sound like Human Good, or something else? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 12

13 "2. Mental Intrusions Edgar Allan Poe understood the divided mind. In The Imp of the Perverse, Poe s protagonist carries out the perfect murder, inherits the dead man s estate, and lives for years in healthy enjoyment of his illgotten gains. Whenever thoughts of the murder appear on the fringes of his consciousness, he murmurs to himself, I am safe. - Haidt Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 13

14 "We make pronouncements, vows, and resolutions, and then are surprised by our own powerlessness to carry them out. We sometimes fall into the view that we are fighting with our unconscious, our id, or our animal self. But really we are the whole thing. We are the rider, and we are the elephant." - Haidt So, here we see Haidt's "summary" - "We are the rider and we are the elephant." If all that we are is the Rider and the Elephant, what does Haidt think we are? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 14

15 Obviously, we cannot use Haidt's Elephant and Rider to understand our complete Human Nature. So, we need to study, and review, who and what we are... as Humans... and as Believers Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 15

16 If we are, or at least part of us is, the Genetic Jumble of intuitions, gut feelings, appetites, passions and emotions that Haidt calls the "Elephant and the Rider", what motivates this Genetic Jumble? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 16

17 I have uncovered just 6 basic Genetic Human Motivations, that I call the "Human Happiness Motivators", what we do to produce Purpose, Meaning, and ultimately, "Happiness" in our lives... Sexual Materialism Chemical Power Religious Approbation Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 17

18 If these are the "Human Happiness Motivators" we are all born with, are they only "Human Bad", or only "Human Good", or are there 2 sides to each of the Motivators? Sexual Materialism Chemical Power Religious Approbation Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 18

19 We have also studied Plato's Chariot, the "Biga", the Two-Horse Chariot, with the White Horse and the Black Horse... Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 19

20 "Plato used a similar metaphor in which the self (or soul) is a chariot, and the calm, rational part of the mind holds the reins. Plato s charioteer had to control two horses: The horse that is on the right, or nobler, side is upright in frame and well jointed, with a high neck and a regal nose;...he is a lover of honor with modesty and selfcontrol; companion to true glory, he needs no whip, and is guided by verbal commands alone. The other horse is a crooked great jumble of limbs... companion to wild boasts and indecency, he is shaggy around the ears deaf as a post and just barely yields to horsewhip and goad combined." Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 20

21 The Black Horse The White Horse "Human Bad" Immoral Horse Human Good Moral Horse Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 21

22 Or, is there a "Good" side to each, and a "Bad" side to each; a "Moral" and "Immoral" aspect for each... Sexual Materialism Chemical "Human Nature" Power Religious Approbation Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 22

23 So, how do we put this in perspective? If we are Tri-partite, where does the "Human Nature" fit in? Body Spirit Soul Human Nature Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 23

24 Is it part of the "Spirit", part of the "Soul", or part of the "Body"? Body Soul Spirit Haidt, and the other Materialists, would have us believe that it is ALL of these, and man is nothing more than "Human Nature. Human Nature Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 24

25 Is it part of the "Spirit"? Rom. 8:9, 10 ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. Body Spirit And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts (Gal. 4:6). 2 Cor. 5:17 if any man Soul is in Christ, he is a new creature First, we know that the Spirit is functional in the Believer and non-functiuonal in the Unbeliever, the "Human Being": Human Nature If God is in the Spirit, then "Humanness" is not! Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 25

26 Is it part of the "Soul"? Body Soul Human Nature Spirit Genesis 2:7 And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 1 Cor. 15:45 The first man Adam became a living soul. The last man Adam became a life-giving spirit. Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 26

27 We are the rider, and we are the elephant." - Haidt Is it part of the "Body"? But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh (σαρκικός), as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh (σαρκικός). For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh (σαρκικός) and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, I follow Paul, and another, I follow Apollos, are you not being merely human? Body Soul Spirit Human Nature Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 27

28 Body Spirit Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 28

29 Body Spirit Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 29

30 Body Spirit Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 30

31 Body Spirit Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 31

32 Body Spirit Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 32

33 Spirit Soul Body Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 33

34 Spirit Soul Body Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 34

35 The Unbeliever (Natural - Soul - Man) Spirit Soul Body Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 35

36 The Unbeliever (Natural - Soul - Man) Heart Mind Body Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 36

37 Heart Mind Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 37

38 We can see the Greek word for "mind" in Repentance = meta + noeo "meta" means "change" "noeo" is the word for "mind" or "thinking" "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." Mark 1:15. "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." (Acts 19:4, ESV) In Acts 20, Paul tells the Ephesian elders in his farewell address to them that the message he preached was of "repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ". Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 38

39 Mind Thinking Heart Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 39

40 For the Word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. iv. 12). Genesis 6:5: And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Furthermore, as Matthew 9:4 reports, Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 40

41 To identify the will as pertaining to the heart, we must consult Acts 11:23: Who, when he arrived and saw the grace of God, rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain with the Lord with purpose of heart. In addition, the second half of Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the Word s ability to discern, the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Both purpose and intentions are functions of the will, indicating that the will, likewise, is part of the heart. Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 41

42 Mind "Thoughts" "Intent" Thinking Heart Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 42

43 So what is the difference between the "Mind" and the "Heart", if both have thoughts? Mind "Thoughts" "Intent" Thinking Without "Intent" Heart Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 43

44 So what is the difference between the "Mind" and the "Heart", if both have thoughts? Mind Thinking "Thoughts" Without "Intent" "Intent" The "Mind" thinks, while the "Heart" puts the thoughts into "ACTION' Heart Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 44

45 So, how does "Fleshly", "Human Nature" get from our "Thinking" in our Minds to the "Intent" in our Heart? We must "Decide" to make it our "Intention," correct? What is the "Decider" called? Another, more technical name for "Will" is? Mind "Will" Volition "Human Nature" Heart Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 45

46 So, Volition bridges the divide between the Mind and the Heart. Mind "Thoughts" Thinking Volition Without "Intent" "Intent" Heart Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 46

47 So, who is the "Real You?". What you are "thinking", or what you "Intention"? Mind "Thoughts" Thinking Volition Without "Intent" "Intent" Heart Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 47

48 Therefore, is the "Real You" the "Human Nature" of Jonathan Haidt's "Rider and the Elephant?" Are you "stuck" with the Elephant's capriciousness? Is the "Rider" only going to "do his best" to keep the Elephant under control? Must you forever be struggling with an unruly Elephant and an "Advisor Rider", who must make up explanations and excuses for the Elephant's actions? Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 48

49 That's correct, the Bible teaches that the Heart is the "Real You": "God looks upon the heart", the Word is a "critic of the thoughts and intents of the heart", "man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart", "as a man thinks in his heart, that's what he is," etc. and etc.! Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 49

50 Only if you are governed by the "Desires of the Flesh", the Material Drives, the Genetic Human Nature that we all inherit from our first ancestor, Adam! We need not face the frustration of trying to control the unruly Elephant, with an almost powerless Rider, trying to "do good" and keep the "Imp of the Perverse" from ruining every relationship and hope for our lives. Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 50

51 Because we have a "Decider", a "Will", our Volition, to make the choice we are given in our Spiritual Genetics to choose neither the Elephant nor the Rider, neither the Black Horse nor the White Horse, but the Spiritual option of the Reservoir of Righteousness we received in our New Birth. Mind "Human Nature" "The Flesh" "Will" Spirit Heart Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 51

52 Galatians 5:16-25 (AMP) 16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of [the] human nature without God). Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 52

53 Ephesians 2:3: " Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." Rom 6:16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Rom 6:20 When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 53

54 But, now we have the choice to be "Slaves of Righteousness, and free from the Fleshly Human Nature, the Rider and Elephant, The Black and White Horses: Galatians 5:16-25 (AMP) 16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of [the] human nature without God). Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 54

55 "Walking by means of the Spirit" is a choice, a decision we make: Mind "Human Nature" "The Flesh" "Will" Spirit Spirit Heart Soul When the "thinking" of the Spiritual option becomes our "intent", we have "chosen" to "Walk by means of the Spirit," and we will not fulfill the "desires of the flesh." Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 55

56 This is called "Repentance ("changing our thinking") and "Faith" (choosing the Godly option). We are, then, no longer governed by the Human Happiness Motivators that dominate our "Fleshly Desires": Sexual Materialism Chemical "Human Nature" Power Religious Approbation Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 56

57 "The "Old Man" Sexual Materialism Chemical "Human Nature" "The Flesh" The "Rider and the Elephant" The "Black and White Horses" Power Religious Approbation Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 57

58 Romans 6:6 We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 58

59 But, this is not easy, for the "Old Man", "The Flesh", does not give up easily: Galatians 5: For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 59

60 Galatians 5:24 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. Galatians 5:25 25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 60

61 But, HOW do we "Walk in the Spirit?" Colosians 2:6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 61

62 HOW did you receive Him? Galatians 3:26 You are all God's children by believing in Christ Jesus. "Believing", "deciding", "choosing" - it was your volition, then, and it is your Volition every moment as you choose to "walk by means of the Spirit"1 Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 62

63 "The "Old Man" Sexual Materialism Chemical "Human Nature" "The Flesh" The "Rider and the Elephant" The "Black and White Horses" Power Religious Approbation Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 63

64 The "Options" "Human Nature" "The Flesh" Volition - The Charioteer Mind Spirit Heart Soul The Chariot Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 64

65 Galatians 5:17-21 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality [S], impurity [S], depravity[s], 5:20 idolatry [R], sorcery [C], hostilities,[p] strife [P, A], jealousy [A], outbursts of anger [P], selfish rivalries [M, P], dissensions [P, A], factions [P, A], 5:21 envying [M], murder [P], drunkenness [C], carousing [C, S, A], and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God! The Flesh Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 65

66 What must the Unbeliever "Believe" with his Volition? Mind Sexual Chemical Religious Approbation Power Materialism Sexual Volition Chemical Religious Approbation Heart Power Materialism Soul Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 66

67 But, what of the Believer, with his new, Godly Nature? Galatians 5: :22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love [anti-a], joy [anti-c], peace [anti-p], patience [anti-m], kindness [anti-a], goodness [anti-m], faithfulness [anti-r], 5:23 gentleness [anti-p], and self-control [anti-scrapm]. Against such things there is no law. These do not come from the Elephant, the Rider, The Black or White Horses, the Chariot or the Charioteer. Spirit Conscience, Morality and the Spiritual Life 67