HE ALSO IS FLESH
Genesis 6:1 ¶ And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 3 ¶ And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
The reason the Lord God gave to reveal why his spirit would no longer strive with that world of Noah was contained in the four words of our title. “He also is flesh.” But what, exactly does that mean?
It means that man was made, not just a fleshly being like the animals, but also had a spiritual nature. Ecclesiastes 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Man was made “upright,” or spiritually righteousness. It was the breath, or spirit of God that was breathed into man’s nostrils, granting him spirit, soul and body. Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
In Genesis 2:7 the Lord God imparted life to man by his Holy Breath. And in John 20:21-22 the same Lord God breathed upon the disciples granting them a renewed spiritual life. John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
The Apostle Paul clearly explains these two creations; both the natural birth, and then the spiritual birth. 1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam (Christ), was made a quickening (or, life giving) spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Therefore man was intended by creation to be a spiritual being. But the Lord God states that man was now also just flesh! But what does he mean by the inclusion of that word, “also?” If we read on down to Genesis 6:7 we will find out. For there he lists those who, being now just flesh, are candidates for his destruction. Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. Man, created to reflect God’s image into society, has lost his spirituality, becoming no more that the beasts of the field! They also were created from the ground, but did not receive the breath of God!
And those who have not the Spirit are only “sensual!” Jude 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. And what is it to be sensual? The Apostle James states that it is to be “earthly” and “devilish!” James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
The Apostle Peter confirms this in his second epistle. 2 Peter 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot (to revel, or have a party spirit), in the day time.
In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul lists out very plainly how man came to be, not just flesh, but depraved flesh. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (or suppress) the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Man started out walking with God in the garden. Those nineteenth and twenty-first verses, just listed, clearly reveal that the problem with mankind was not that they didn’t know God. The problem was that knowing him they didn’t give him the respect and honor of glorifying him! And that is the definition of sin! Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
And even the dedicated practice of religion without ascribing glory to the Lord Jesus Christ is one of the greatest soul-damning agents across our land. For it is only those who seek after God’s glory who are granted eternal life! Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
And no one is fooling God in seeking to only be religious! Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. God hasn’t changed! He still abhors fleshly, carnal religious practice.
‘Church-anity’ without true spiritual Christianity is nothing but traveling on the broad way which leads to destruction! Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
In Genesis 6:4 we find “there were giants in the earth.” The Hebrew word, here translated “giants,” does not mean men of great statue or height. It implies men of great cruelty. The word actually means “bullies, or tyrants.” Just take notice of these three verses in. Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
Domination of others by cruelty and intimidation became to be normal for mankind. Nimrod is specifically mentioned. Genesis 10:8 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. 10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel,… He so suppressed men as a hunter of men’s souls, as to began “his kingdom.” He began human government by the cruel suppression of others.
This was what God warned Israel concerning when they desired a king over them instead of being led by God’s priests and prophets! 1 Samuel 8:10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. 11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
And that is exactly what happened, beginning with the first king of Israel. 1 Samuel 14:52 And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul: and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him. When men get into an office of power, they began to use that power for their own benefits, and not for the people. Like Satan, they like to rule over mankind. Unlike Christ who desires to serve mankind.
Satan’s words: Isaiah 14:13 I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Christ’s words: Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Satan always is recognized among us by his determination to raise himself up at mankind’s expense. The Lord is recognized among us by his character of lifting up mankind at his own expense.
The kingdom of Satan on earth is recognized by the cruel. John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. But the kingdom of Christ is recognized by the meek. Matthew 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
He taught us to pray that his kingdom would come throughout the earth, governed by humble mourners, conscious of their own sin, and therefore were meek and forgiving to others. He taught us to pray that his kingdom would have God’s will done on earth as pure and as beneficial to his creation as it is in heaven! Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
It would greatly benefit us to read just how many times in chapter five of Matthew that he states, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time,” and then followed up by the words, “But I say unto you.” This is our King recovering us from the mindset of religion, and reestablishing the mindset of the spiritual kingdom of God within us. He clearly proclaims to us the difference of the world’s and his kingdom:
Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles (speaking of the unregenerate world) exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
We assume that America is a “Christian nation.” But we really don’t know that many true christians! We are highly religious. But we are highly deceived! 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
The Apostle Peter even states that the preachers who promise others the “liberty” of unbridled religion are themselves “natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed.” 2 Peter 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Pastor Gene Breed
November 21, 2019
