The Natural Man

The familiar story of David and Goliath has an amazing lesson for each of us. The story is found in 1 Sam. 17. David was sent out by his father to take some bread and cheese to his brothers, and to see how they were doing, and to bring back a report. As David arrived, the Philistine giant presented himself and made his challenge for anyone from Israel to come and fight him. The giant is about 9'9" tall, fully dressed in battle armor, and has been a warrior since his youth. He is a formidable enemy and all the men of Israel are dreadfully afraid of him. David relies on God, and has had past experiences with a lion and a bear that strengthen his faith. He is willing and ready to go against this giant. He sees no reason whatsoever that this giant should be able to curse the God of Israel and remain in power over Israel. David believes God, and says, "Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." Here is where we learn something about walking with God. Saul relies on his own understanding, and on earthly weapons, and tells David to put on his armor. So David puts on Saul's armor, but he says, "I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them." Saul is a representation of the natural man, who does not have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:14 tells us that the natural man does not recieve the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned." Saul thinks only with the natural mind, and David says, "I cannot walk with these." We cannot walk for God with only the natural mind. Our walk with God is a supernatueral walk that is by faith, and in the Spirit, and is not a life of the flesh. David relies on God, and He takes out his sling and chooses 5 stones. He overcomes the giant, not by the weapons of war of the natural man, but by faith in God. Our weapons are not physical, but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, 2 Cor. 10:4. Saul's wisdom was earthly, sensual, and demonic, James 3:15. We have been called to live by a higher wisdom, the wisdom that comes down from above, the mind of Christ, Let us llive today by the spiritual armor from God, and not by the natural man of self reliance.