SEPARATING THE SPIRITUAL FROM THE PHYSICAL
THE HIDDEN MEANING
INTRODUCTION
In these next scriptures, we at VAL-TE’ believe are actions that violate fundamental societal expectations and personal integrity, often leading to negative consequences for individuals and groups. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Immanuel. For if he who comes preaches another Immanuel whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted – you may well put up with it! For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things. Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. As the truth of Immanuel is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows! But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Immanuel. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11: 3-15 NKJV
Biblical Word
EVE’S APPLE – Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears. Hebrews 12: 14-17 NIV
Reference
Romans 7: 9-13 – I myself was once alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life, and I died. And the commandment which was meant to bring life, in my case brought death. Sin found its chance, and by means of the commandment it deceived me and killed me. So then, the Law itself is holy, and the commandment is holy, right, and good. But does this mean that what is good caused my death? By no means! It was sin that did it; by using what is good, sin brought death to me, in order that its true nature as sin might be revealed. And so, by means of the commandment sin is shown to be even more terribly sinful. GNT
Significance
Immoral or Unspiritual (Being “unspiritual” describes the mindset, while being “immoral” describes the harmful actions that mindset produces) – We at VAL-TE’ also believe an unspiritual person, focused only on self, often becomes immoral because they lack the moral compass that comes from spiritual connection. “The unspiritual person does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God.” Which means, that a person who relies only on human reason and has not experienced a spiritual transformation (The “natural” or “unspiritual” person) cannot understand or value good judgment and the special abilities (spiritual gifts) that come from God’s Spirit. These spiritual concepts seem like foolishness to them because they can only be grasped through spiritual lens, which they lack. Instead of just saying “yes” to the first thing that sounds good (impulse), someone with good judgment might ask: “What’s the catch? Who else does this affect? What could go wrong? Is there a better way?”
