The Believer’s Conduct 📌

Happy Wednesday everyone. I hope that you are all doing well. It’s yet another day in the month of August. In today’s blog post, I will be sharing some Bible Study notes with you all. I pray that as you take the time to read these notes, that you will be ministered to in Jesus name.

Theme: Believer’s Conduct Part 1: Addressing our Walk

The Contemporary Culture: Our culture today makes it difficult for the world to distinguish Christians. While we can’t take responsibilities for our brothers and sisters in Christ who act like the world, we can take responsibility for our own conduct. Our Freedom in Christ does not mean we must be careless, carefree and live anyhow.

“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slave”. -1 Peter 2:16

“The church is not to be allowed to drift into worldliness’ it cannot be the church if her ethics, morality, and lifestyle are indistinguishable from the unbelievers around them.” Jeff Reed.

How do you conduct yourself? How are you living your life? Is it a life that is pleasing to God?

How can we do life through God’s specs? By Recognizing your Identity “ For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]” -Ephesians 2:10

What is the meaning of conduct? Conduct is defined as the manner in which a person behaves, especially on a particular occasion or in a particular context.

Why do you think our conduct is important? Especially to outsiders. We are the bible that they read!

1. Relationship with unbelievers: Pick your words carefully. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:5-6
   “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as
   evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” -1 Peter 2:12
2. Relationship with Believers: “I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth”. -1 Timothy 3:14-15 . ‘Christ prayed for the disciples; we are to pray for each other. He gave himself in service to the disciples; we are to serve each other. He taught the disciples God’s Word and assured them of the Father’s forgiveness; we are to proclaim that promise of forgiveness to each other. Even more, we are to forgive each other’.
3. Relationship in the world: “So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 [Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation]. 15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage” -1 Peter 1:13-15
4. Relationship with Spiritual Leaders: Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Honor them. -Hebrews 13:7
5. Relationships within Church Family: Titus 2:1-8

• Leaders: “But as for you, Teach the things which are in agreement with sound doctrine [which
produces men and women of good character whose lifestyle identifies them as true Christians].

• Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness [Christ-like in character].

• Older women: “similarly are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor addicted to
much wine, teaching what is right and good, v 3
• Young Women: “So that they may encourage the young women to tenderly love their husbands and their children, to be sensible, pure, makers of a home [where God is honored], good-natured, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. V 4-5
• Young men to be sensible and self-controlled and to behave wisely [taking life seriously]. And in all
things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified, sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so that the opponent [of the faith] will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

6. Your Communion with God: “Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love.

In Scripture a man’s conduct is called ‘WALK’ and there’s so much verses about our walk morally and spiritually as believers but we will look at a few and review it.

How do we walk?
• Walk worthy of the Lord:

“So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (displaying admirable character, moral courage and personal integrity) to fully please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts.” -Colossians 1:10

• Walk in the Spirit:

“But I say, walk habitually in the Holy Spirit (seek Him and be responsible
to His guidance), and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature (which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts). Gal. 5:25 “If we live by the Spirit, let us walk by the Spirit” -Galations 5:16

• Walk Carefully, Don’t be foolish or thoughtless:

“Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. Therefore, do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is. -Ephesians 5:15-17

• Walk As children of Light: “Or you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light” -Ephesians 5:8

• Walk by Faith: “For we walk by faith, not by sight” -2 Corinthians 5:7

In summary, if we are not different from the outside world in our conduct, then what good is it; our obligation to the outside world is to be the gospel to them; our action can help or hinder the gospel. Let us examine the trajectory of our lives and see if changes need to be made. Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven”. ESV. They will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession.

Believer’s Conduct Part 2: Addressing Carnality

Three Categories of Men as Described By Paul

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to
him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.” -1 Corinthians 2:14-15

1) The Natural Man: An unsaved man without the Holy Spirit and unable to understand or discern spiritual things.
Governed purely by 5 senses: Taste, Touch, Smell, Sight and Hearing.
2) The Spiritual Man: A saved man, with the Holy Spirit and governed by the Spirit.
3) The Carnal Man: A saved man with the Holy Spirit but governed by the flesh.

Question: How do you distinguish between a natural man and a spiritual man?

Characteristics of A Carnal Christian:
Carnal: The word “carnal” is translated from the Greek word sarkikos, which literally means “fleshly.”

“Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I
had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? -1 Corinthians 3:1-3

“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not
understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! -Romans 7:14-20

1. A carnal believer is saved but still acts like the people of the world in a lot of ways.
2. A carnal believer is not ready for the solid food of the Word of God. They do not want the discipline brought in by the word of God. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. -2 Timothy 4:3
3. Carnal believers are self-centered. They are focused on self-preservation, pleasure.
4. A carnal believer is mostly controlled by their sinful nature.
5. A carnal believer enjoys strife and divisions
6. Some carnal believers desire to do the things of God but lacks the power and the discipline to follow through.
7. A carnal believer is always at war on the inside of them. They are frustrated and ‘wretched”.

The Battle Between the Flesh and the Regenerated Human Spirit
Before we became believers, we were entirely governed by our flesh (sinful nature). When we become believers, our spirit (inner man or being) was made alive in Christ Jesus (Ephesians. 2:1-5). This presents a problem for a new believer, which sometimes lasts longer than it should. While our regenerated spirit wants to please God, our flesh wants to do the opposite. (Please itself or the world). A believer’s primary goal is to empower the regenerated spirit by feeding and nurturing it while starving the flesh by denying it of its desires. When a believer succeeds, he becomes spiritual; when they do not, he remains carnal. Here are a few scripture passages that address this issue.

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. -Romans 7:18-22

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” -Romans 8:5-8

“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.” -Galatians 5:16-17

Please note that in real life this is not as clear cut as it seems. A believer does not suddenly switch from being carnal to being spiritual in one day, it is more of a process than an instantaneous act. Becoming increasingly spiritual and decreasingly carnal is a process known as sanctification. Until we are delivered from our sinful flesh, there will be outbreaks of carnality. For a genuine believer in Christ, though, these outbreaks of carnality will be the exception, not the rule.

Question: How long should it take a believer to move from being carnal to being spiritual?

Danger of Remaining Carnal

1. Carnality prevents a believer from the supernatural life that God intended. 1 Corinthians 3:1, Galatians 4:1
2. The frustration (guilt, prayerlessness etc.) of a carnal believer can cause him/her to go back to the world.
3. A carnal believer is not a good witness to the world. “The name of God is blasphemed among the
   Gentiles because of you,” as it is written. -Romans 2:24
4. Too many carnal believers will destroy the church and prevent the church of fulfilling its potential. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. -Hebrews 5:12

How to Overcome Carnality

1. Recognize that carnality is a problem and refuse to be content with it.
2. Feed your spirit man and starve the flesh of its desires. What we feed grows. Every time you deny yourself of the
   cravings of the flesh you disempower your flesh.
3. You feed the inner man by regularly reading, studying, and meditating on the word of God. 1 Peter 2:2
4. Practicing a life of faith. Walking by faith is denying the flesh and empowering the spirit. Hebrews 11:6
5. Practice the Fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5: 22 “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
   faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control”. 1 Timothy 4:7 “exercise yourself toward godliness”
6. Set your affections on the things above. Colossians 3:1-3.
7. Submit to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit. James 4:7

Conclusion: The key thing to understand is that while a Christian can be, for a time, carnal, a true Christian will not remain carnal for a lifetime. Since eternal security is a fact of Scripture, even the carnal Christian is still saved. Salvation cannot be lost, because salvation is a gift of God that He will not take away (see John 10:28; Romans 8:37-39; 1 John 5:13). 1 Corinthians 3:15.

📖: Bible Study Notes from Agape House of Worship

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. Until next time, stay blessed and rooted in Christ 🥁🙏🏿.