The Duality Of Man: Good vs Evil

There exists a tension in humans as we are caught between God and Sin. The human condition is one of wanting to do good, and being tempted by evil, a duality in which we are active participants in the ongoing development of our own choices, situated within a world evolving through the choices of others. This is the duality of our world, good vs evil. 

Romans 7:21-23

“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; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.”

We are made in the image of God, he refines us like silver so he may see himself in us, we have his spirit within us, but we are also made from the dust of the earth, just as Adam was, yet we too are cursed by the original sin to be temporary vessels, material constraints that adhere to the laws of the decaying world. 

2 Corinthians 4:16:

 “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

We are both the perishable body from the original sin, and also the spiritual body imperishable through Christ. 

This duality of human nature situates us in this awkward dyad, easily prideful, the same sinful mindset that pulled the fallen angels away from God. 

Yet also we have knowledge of the spirit, we have become temples of God, we are in communication with the master that resides in every one of us, being called back to the creator, through a purification of ourselves. We are asked to repent and cleanse our souls to be able to return to God, who is pure and good. 

Matthew 5:29 

"Now if you’re right eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better to lose a parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell."

This is where our free will comes into play, to walk the path of God is to deny and overcome the natural sin of our bodies. To give in to temptation of the flesh is to walk the path of Lucifer. Both cannot be juggled, the path is a narrow one. 

Jesus tells us that we are to loosen ourselves from any of these things that are not in line with Gods will, to burn away our sinful desires like dross. 

Lust is adultery of the mind. 

Anger is murder of the heart. 

These are not physical acts, but mental acts, acts that harden the heart, thought patterns that dampen the divine spark of the soul, Jesus is teaching us to radically change our minds and spirits by illustrating how dangerous thoughts can be. 

A man that is led by his urges is on a path of destruction.

Colossians 3:5

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you, sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

The tension that we experience as humans, souls in a material body, is arduous, and it is more than just acting well. Jesus asks us even to reframe our minds, that our salvation towards God is deeper than our works, it is intent, it is an incredible intrapersonal reframing taking place in the mind, to walk away from the mind touched by Satan, and towards the mind which God knows. 

Within these spiritual teachings is an emphasis on the seriousness of following Jesus, do not even anger towards your brother in your mind, do not even think lustful thoughts. 

As we put our focus towards the spirit, we find that we are less interested in the workings of the flesh. For the life of the flesh is a perilous pit of cravings and desire, a prison of the mind, an unquenchable  thirst, but the waters we receive from God, is the pearl of heaven. 

Romans 8:5

"For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit."

Holiness over material comfort. 

Holiness over sexual desires. 

Holiness over ego. 

God over man. 

To meet with our master, this is our calling, our mission, our route to salvation. 

Romans 6:12-13:

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life.”