Take Heed that You Be Not Consumed One of Another

Recently we have discussed in great detail the concept of suppressing the immediate desires of flesh and subordinating them to the realities seen by intellect and our ability of abstract reasoning. Each of these is understood as thoughts considering the rewards and consequences of actions yet commenced. In this context we see choosing the shorter-term rewards and ignoring consequences as acts to satisfy the flesh and gratification being in most cases short lived and far outweighed by the resulting effects. On the other hand we understand delaying the reward (self-restraint) based on conceptualizing the near and longer-term implication we are able to subordinate the flesh (animal desires) to the spirit (the higher form of deductive reasoning enabling one to see the unseen).

This takes us again to the parameters of the decision-making process. Understanding and living by these self-imposed boundaries is fulfilling the law, as Christ fulfilled it.

In recent days we’ve looked at the Greek word pleroo, which is most often translated “fulfilled.” It literally means to cram full, as in there is nothing more that can be put into it. This is the mind that has entered the kingdom of God. It is the same mind that was/is in Christ and is the entire goal of the gospel, to have this mind produced (born) in us. Our being born again occurs as we let the former mind dominated by short-term thinking be overwritten (die) as this new understanding is elevated to governs our action and becomes our new nature. This is the difference between being shortsighted and foresight.

The Greek word for lifting up is anakupto. It is a word only used four times and also translated as, look up. It is used in Luke 21:28 as the Lord tells when we should look up, as we lift up our heads. The exchange begins as the Lord is asked the question of when will the events occur that end this age, and just after His having described them. He tells of a world in chaos. The passage ending begins by telling of Jerusalem being trampled under foot; this meaning the foundational teaching of the way of peace has been trampled under foot. It next tells of the sun, moon and stars being signs, and this connected to the distress of the nations, and the sea and the waves roaring. Those who study along know the sun and the moon as symbolizing church and civil government as God’s intended them to shine and reflect His light (as just rule) on the earth; and the stars as those living under this just rule and therefor also shining as fixed lights in (the kingdom of) heaven. Without these lights the earth devolves into a state of distress (of nations), and the sea characterizing the people being in a constant state of agitation (chaos).

In the following verse we see the cause when we are told of “men’s hearts failing them.” The word translated “hearts failing them” is only used this one time in all scripture. It is the Greek word apopsucho, apo meaning away or off, and psucho meaning to breath, and is translated as, wax cold. (Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.)

Psuche (from psucho) is the word meaning the spirit, and is translated as the mind, heart, life and soul. It is the center of cognitive thought, as in reasoning power of the intellect. The original text tells of men’s reasoning ability leaving them as they panic in fear of what they expect is coming on the earth. It is telling of panic and the decisions made. It is speaking of doing things in the short term based on what you feel will happen and in turn produces what a well reasoning mind would have seen as inflicting worse consequences than those used as the original premise. (Do you hear me Glen Beck?)

Here is the passage in Luke 21:
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men’s hearts failing them (apopsucho) for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up (anakupto), and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.
29 And he spoke to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, you see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

The Greek word for head is kephale, from the primary word kapto. Kapto means to seize, and the relation to the head is in the part most easily seized upon (think rapture evangelicals). Two of the other times the word anakupto is used are in John 8:7 & 10 when telling of the Lord lifting himself up in judgment. This is His demonstrating right judgment in contrasting it with the shortsighted. The shortsighted is the same we see with the self-righteous in our day. They publicly display the past sins of others and in their self-righteousness demand public condemnation (as in some of the commercials run in Utah). Then they define us as not good or real Christians because we refuse to join them in their errors.

John 8 (see verses 7 & 10)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what say you?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those your accusers? has no man condemned you?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.
12 Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, You bear record of yourself; your record is not true.
14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but you cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
15 You judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
18 I am one that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me.
19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, You neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.
20 These words spoke Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and you shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
22 Then said the Jew (those thinking themselves the true believers), Will he kill himself? because he said, Where I go, ye cannot come.
23 And he said unto them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 I said therefore unto you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
25 Then said they unto him, Who art you? And Jesus said unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
27 They understood not that he spoke to them of the Father.
28 Then said Jesus unto them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As he spoke these words, many believed on him.
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews who (actually) believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
37 I know that you are Abraham’s seed; but you seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and you do that which ye have seen with your father.
39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said unto them, If you were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now you seek to kill me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 You do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
43 Why do you not understand my speech? even because you cannot hear my word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.
46 Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?
47 He that is of God hears God’s words: you therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou are a Samaritan, and has a devil?
49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and you do dishonor me.
50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeks and judges.
51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that you has a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and you say, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
53 Art you greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom make you yourself?
54 Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
55 Yet you have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57 Then said the Jews unto him, You art not yet fifty years old, and has thou seen Abraham?
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
To all those who believe I say, “Fulfill the perfect law of liberty.”

Galatians 5
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love thy neighbor as thyself.
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Romans 13
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shall have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore you must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
10 Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.