The following are brief responses the questions collected after the September 5, 2018 Bible Study. Disclaimer: The information and highlights shared in class (and given below) are interpretations of what we believe the Lord has imparted to us. As we grow, in Him, He will give increasing light and clarity; and will even correct some of the areas where we may have misunderstood Him. We are committed to deal with the things that God gives, with all holy integrity. We have no desire to manipulate any impartation; but to deliver His wisdom, as purely as we can. Everything shared in class or in writing is given as best we can discern it at the time. All Scripture References are given in KJV or Updated KJV (UKJV); some may be further modified to be specific to the context of the response. Isn t the intellect supposed to use the emotions to walk life out? You may recall from the session, the following: A proper ordering of the faculties of the soul is as follows (as best I understand it). The Spirit of God communicates with the Intuition (a faculty of the human spirit); the Intuition seeks to teach or to impart to the Intellect/Mind what God has said, or what God requires. The Intellect/Mind should then corroborate what has been received/imparted with the Scriptures (in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses, let every word be established). The Mind then informs the Will and receives a decision for action. The emotions will then be invited in to response (or not) as appropriate to the situation. Specifically to your question, I submit for your consideration the following: I would not say that the intellect uses the emotions. Each faculty of our being (whether spirit, soul or body) all operate according to the laws of their respective natures; as given by God. They work in synchronization according to their respective natures and how they have been trained or groomed either by the Scriptures; our obedience to God; or our education from this world. Either way, the emotions will be given its proper disposition in each decision rendered. Once you renew your mind, how do you deal with family and friends that do not understand your transformation? Good consideration. Please allow me to partition the question this way: Once you renew your mind The renewing of the mind is not a once, for all endeavor. The renewing of the mind is a 24x7, 365/year reality. It becomes our way of life. Assembled by: Min. JoAnn White Page 1 of 9
how do you deal with family and friends The Lord has only given us one way to deal with our family and friends. It is the second great commandment to love our neighbor as our equal. Matt. 22:39 (simplified) that do not understand your transformation? We have grace on those who don t understand our transformation; because frankly, we, ourselves don t understand our transformation. Summarily I pray that we do not understand the renewing of the mind as being something that makes us weird and irrelevant. I d say quite the contrary, the renewing of the minds and its subsequent transformation of life would tend to make us more relevant. We can identify with others. We should become more compassionate, loving, kind, genuine, authentic, etc. Those things being what they are, it is still possible that we may nevertheless be misunderstood. Please know, that being understood is not a requirement for a life that is pleasing to God. How do you deal with marriage difficulties? This is a great question, thank you for having the courage to ask it. It is, however, a very broad question and is itself difficult to deal with in this context. It does however need to be dealt with. As respectfully as possible I submit for your consideration the following: The Scriptures gives us a remedy for the marriage. It actually gives us many remedies for the marriage. They are deep and abiding realities, but because our way in this world has corrupted our thinking concerning them, we tend more despise them (than reverence them). And with that we unwittingly or unknowingly despise the wisdom of the Living God; which is able to convert us. A beginning of the answer to your question, in general, is found in Eph. 5:22-29. Now you see what I mean by the heart has been taught to despise the deep and abiding wisdom of God. This question can certainly be answered in the context of the Tribunal of the Soul, but would be considerably more exhaustive than allow in this writing. May I leave you with this consideration? When reading Eph. 5:22-29, we may be prone to say What if my husband (or wife) is unreasonable or even disagreeable. Am I still supposed to submit to them; or love them as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it? To that I would respond with Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Another, of many possible remedies, is found in James 4:7 (UKJV modified) Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Your contention is never with your spouse, the Lord teaches us in Eph. 6:12 that we wrestle not against flesh and blood. Assembled by: Min. JoAnn White Page 2 of 9
There is no getting around the remedies of the Word of God for all of life. He has not left Himself without a witness, in the Scriptures. Jesus said, Search the scriptures; the Scriptures testify of me. (John 5:39 UKJV modified). What better marriage counselor could you have than Jesus? Will you please explain "dominion" (Gen 1:28)? As best I can share. Dominion is a prefect mix of authority and responsibility. To have dominion is to bear rule; or to have authority over and responsibility for others. On a personal level, I believe that what we call freewill, the Scriptures call dominion. What do we have dominion over? The Scriptures teach us that there are situations where we may have dominion over: o Fish, fowl, cattle and creeping thing o The people, places and things that God places under our jurisdiction o Ourselves (we have dominion over our own soul) o Etc. What don't we have dominion over? We do not have dominion over another person s will. When do you know that it's time to renew our mind? Respectfully, it s always time to renew the mind. The renewing of the mind becomes a way of life for the Believer. Assembled by: Min. JoAnn White Page 3 of 9
Why do you say our emotions do not think? As best I can explain it The soul of man is an integrated reality, consisting of multiple, diverse faculties (mind, will, and emotions). Each faculty has its respective role and is governed by a law which God has established. As I understand it, the intellect is that faculty that thinks. Therefore, it is not necessary for the emotions to think independently of the intellect; because they are integrated. If both the intellect and the emotions had the ability (or responsibility) to perform the task of thinking, then there would potentially need to be a law that reconciled the independent and disparate thoughts generated by each the intellect and the emotions, etc. We were created in the image of God. If we look at the Godhead (Father, Word and Spirit), we see three distinct Persons in a triune relationship. Although, they are all equal, they operate in distinct roles. The Father is not the Son; the Son is not the Spirit; the Spirit is not the Father, etc. I hope this response will suffice for now. There is much more to it than can be expressed here. What is the Scriptural basis for the contest between the emotions and intellect? The analogy of the attorney of the intellect and the attorney of the emotions was given to frame the discourse. A number of other analogies could have been used. The intent is to distinguish the faculty of the intellect from the faculty of the emotions. The goal is to show their diverse roles; how they do serve us versus how they ought to serve us. The Scriptures teach that the mind (intellect) needs to be renewed; so that tour lives may be transformed. Our experience exposes the intent of the flesh and the world to seduce our emotions to lead us. Certainly stop by if you d like to discuss further. What did you say about the world mitigating? I ought to have corrected the word mitigate to say militate. The world militates against the soul, with a particular focus on drawing out the emotions. The enemy (through the flesh and the world) seeks to make us servants of our appetites; passions; ambitions, etc. This is contrary to the directives of Scripture and the leading of the Spirit. Assembled by: Min. JoAnn White Page 4 of 9
What did you say about the Spirit of God will not always strive with man? The gist of what I said was that there is a particular way that the Lord would have us live; the Spirit of God strives with us to bring us to that place. It would be wise on our part to learn His way and walk in it. The Lord is tender in His mercy and quite long suffering; but (quoting Gen. 6: 3) that the Spirit of God will not always strive with man; if we insist on ignoring his invitations to walk upright before Him. What does a free man do with his life, after he has given his life to God? Respectfully, that is exactly what a free man does with his life; he gives it to God. He is now free to do that. Romans 6:18-19 (KJV) says it well, being then made free from sin, you become the servants of righteousness. And with the same energy and ambition that we expended to produce the fruits of unrighteousness; we are now free to redeploy our energy and ambition to produce the fruits of righteousness. According to Exod. 15:26 KJV a free man Hearkens to the voice of the Lord God Does what is right in His sight Gives ear to His commandments Keeps His statues Perhaps you were asking what does the life of a free man look like? In the words of Matt. 6:31-33 (KJV softened). The life of a free man takes not thought for food, drink or clothing; but has as its central focus the kingdom of God and His righteousness. What was the commandment given to Israel after crossing the Red Sea? The commandment given to Israel after crossing the Red Sea is noted in Exodus 15:25-26. The specifics of the statutes, ordinances, and commandments are not written. But they were vital because violating them would bring upon Israel the diseases that the Lord unleashed upon the Egyptians (Exod. 16:4). Essentially what is being said is that freedom from the Flesh and the World does not equate to another brand of lawlessness. Adam was free, God gave him a commandment. Jesus was free, he said I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30 KJV) I submit for your consideration that commandments are an expression of the will of the Father. So we do not want to be without them. Assembled by: Min. JoAnn White Page 5 of 9
The Spirit is free, Jesus says of the Spirit (John 16:13 KJV) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. Which way do I choose? My apologies, I m not sure I completely understand the question. It is a very sincere and broad question. May I respond this way: Prov. 3:6 says that if we acknowledge God in all of our ways, He will give direction; we may then choose on the basis of the direction that God provides. How do you know that you have forgiven a person? Great question, I am afraid that I will not be able to do justice to this question in this context. But allow me to give a cursory consideration. On one level, the Lord is the one who makes us know whether or not we have truly forgiven. The roots of forgiveness (or unforgiveness) run very deep. Respectfully, I don t know that it is wise to simply look for outward signs of forgiveness. When we are faced with a situation where forgiveness is required; we forgive (release) the offender, as best we can at the time. And so we often genuinely believe that we have forgiven. Over time, the Lord discovers our hearts to us, as we continue to walk with Him. He sometimes puts us in situations that provoke a particular response. And on the basis of how we respond (or not), He makes us know that either the work of forgiveness is yet incomplete; or that we have forgiven, grown and been healed in a particular area. Either way, He is willing to graciously lead along the path of both giving and receiving forgiveness; if we are willing and obedient. How do you stay relatable to people when you are focused on God? (Talk God, Bible)? In order to give a proper response to this question, I d need additional clarification. I d like to understand what is meant by relatable to people and what is meant by focused on God. That notwithstanding, here are a few considerations. I believe that Jesus was both relatable and focused. Matt. 7:29; Mark 1:22; John 8:29. These two need not be at odds with each other. In closing, please consider Jesus conversations with Nicodemus; the Woman caught in adultery and the Samaritan woman at the well. All of His conversations were extremely relevant, personal (and personable) as well as holding the things of God as its central focus. Good question. Assembled by: Min. JoAnn White Page 6 of 9
What was the scripture that was given? Genesis 3:7 (read) and Romans 12:2 (quoted). A number of other scriptures were referenced throughout the discourse. Please let me know if I ve misunderstood your question. What steps does one take to be consistent to use our intellect? Studying the Scriptures; obeying the leading of the Spirit will help develop the intellect and tame the emotions, in a way renders them useful to God. How do we meditate on the Word and retain it? The Lord said to Joshua This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8 KJV) In many ways, it is not much different from the efforts we would undertake to learn anything else. The one thing that is unique about mediating on and retaining the Word is that we must both hear and do the Word. (James 1:22) What steps do I need to take to renew my mind? In a simple sense, as we study the Scriptures and obey God; the mind is being renewed. How do we gird up our minds to deal with all of the stuff in the world (to make it stick)? In a simple sense, as we study the Scriptures and obey God; the mind is being renewed. A renewed mind has no problem dealing with the stuff of the world. Is there a specific time God comes into the room (Communion)? Assembled by: Min. JoAnn White Page 7 of 9
On one level (and in a very simple sense), the Lord (in the language of King James) takes of His abode with us at conversion. In a more perpetual sense, John 14: 23 KJV says it better. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14: 23 KJV If someone accepted Christ, but is not baptized yet, anything we should do to encourage that? On the basis of the Scriptural significance of baptism, you may certainly encourage them. However, baptism is symbolic of deeper reality. A working understanding of that deeper reality should be explored and encouraged. Baptism symbolizes a divorce decree with the flesh and the world. Where the heart is not divorced from the flesh and the world; the ceremony of baptism is little more than a public bath. Where the heart has signed its divorce decree with the flesh and the world, the symbolism of baptism is a beautiful expression of a deep and abiding reality with eternal implications to the glory of God. If the body or soul or mind is lost and you reach for God, what tribunal should you want to regain first? Let s talk off-line on this one. I d like to understand the question better. I d like to understand what is meant by the body or soul or mind is lost you reach for God regain a tribunal If we know someone who has accepted Christ, but have not been baptized, are they free? Good question. You may recall that baptism is a symbol of a deeper reality. Romans 10:9 if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. This is the reality of which baptism is but a symbol. Assembled by: Min. JoAnn White Page 8 of 9
Is a process to hear the Word of God is obedience? This is what I think I understand you to be asking: Is obedience the process by which we come to hear the Word of God? The response can be either yes or no depending on the situation. The term hear the Word of God is a very broad term. (Forgive me if I am missing you here.) There is a hearing that the Believer has concerning the Word of God; this hearing will be greatly enhanced if preceded by obedience. There is a hearing that all of creation has, when God speaks; obedience generally follows. When Jesus rebuked unclean spirits, they heard Him; obedience follows here as well. John 5:28 says that an hour is coming when all that are in the graves shall hear His voice obedience will follow in this case. Comment: God has told me to love Him first with all of my heart mind. Then to love others by the same measure. Then I can serve others with the love of God, which brings others to desire to know Him (God). Comment: Wow!! Can you say that again? Assembled by: Min. JoAnn White Page 9 of 9