The process of spiritual growth

 Man's duality is symbolic to Abraham's two sons Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael was born from Hagar a bond woman, and he was born according to the flesh. Signifying that, his birth was orchestrated and carried out by the will and passion of the flesh.

 On the other hand, Isaac's birth was from Sarah a free woman and came as the result of Abraham's faith in the promise of God. Abraham, "Not being weak in faith, did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what God had promised, He was also able to perform" (Romans 4:11-12).

 The same way Ishmael who was born according to the flesh persecuted Isaac who was born according to the Spirit, even so now, the life in the flesh is opposing and persecuting the life in the Spirit.

 Comparing the Life in the Spirit with that of the Flesh

 Living in the spirit to some people is something vague and nebulous: they see it as something figurative, a metaphor and not something that is real and literal. We have been told however that, what may be known about God is plain, because God has made it plain. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities His eternal power and divine nature… have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Therefore, exactly what is seen and known about the life in the flesh, reveals what is taking place in the life in the Spirit. The only difference is that they move in opposite directions, they are in constant conflict with each other, and the end result is in contrast to each other. The comparison between the two natures, are like two different trees and each bearing its own fruit and so, we have been duly admonished saying; “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…And, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16-17;25).

For example, the practicality of the life in the spirit in comparison to the life in the flesh is as follows:

Life in the Flesh                Life in the Spirit

 1. Breath of Air                                                          1. Jesus Christ the life-giving Spirit

2. Water                                                                      2. The Blood of Jesus Christ

3. Food                                                                       3. The Body of Jesus Christ

4. Exercise                                                                 4. Renewing the Mind (Study the word)

5. Sleep and Rest                                                       5. Prayer and Fasting

6. Recreation                                                          6. Rejoice before the Lord

7. The End result              7. The End result