Why Are We So Aware of Natural Life Before Spiritual?
July 16, 2021
God's presence, Spiritual IntimacyScripture is clear: life in this world is our process of growing and developing into better images and likenesses of God’s heart. (a) [see end notes for all Scriptures] We are encouraged to follow Jesus, our example of God’s CAP (character, attitude and personality). So why are we so aware of natural life before spiritual?
Our Beginnings
Our entry into this life begins in the water world of a mother’s womb where we are physically warmed, fed and routinely grow and develop. We may or may not be consciously aware, but we react to what we are fed, the sounds we hear, and even to our mother’s mood swings. Our taste for music forms from what we hear beyond the womb and loud noises often wake or startle us.
While we are very involved in our watery environment, we are also influenced by activity beyond its limitations. In the womb, our mother sends antibodies to protect us against infectious diseases. As our first impression of natural and spiritual reality begins to form, we only receive clues about life beyond the environment we are growing and developing in.
When we leave our beginnings, we are birthed into an atmosphere that is different, much broader and beyond our wildest imaginations. Having lost our food supply and comfort zone, survival mode kicks in. We cry and demand that our needs be met.
Our need to survive is more than a natural reaction; it is also spiritual. While we are conscious of our need to be warmed and fed, we also need to feel loved, wanted and valued. Yes, our first awareness seems to be toward natural life, however, no one is totally void of spiritual awareness and the need to be loved. The spirit of life in us enables us to sense many unnatural realities.
The spirit of life enables each of us to sense many unnatural realities.
Spiritual Senses
It is during our beginnings in the womb that our senses begin to develop. Our five senses even have a natural and a spiritual counterpart. (b) Science is able to examine and measure only the natural side of life, so they acknowledge a sixth sense because they can perceive we have more than five natural senses. Actually, they see evidence of our five spiritual senses.
This is how we can, even as sinners, “Taste and see that 
the Lord is good.” (c) As we respond to God’s love and insightful guidance, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” (d) While we dimly view the glory of God as in a mirror, it is becoming clearer.
Scripture is full of examples of spiritual eyes opening to observe unnatural sights and receiving spiritual perceptions. (e) Yes, God can appear to natural eyes and be heard by natural ears. More often than not, it is our spiritual senses that ‘see’ what God is doing, ‘hear’ what He is saying, ‘taste’ of His sweetness, ‘feel’ His touch, and even ‘smell’ the aromas of spiritual realities.
Everyone can sense the reality of God and His presence. Even deniers, will call on God for help when in danger. He is constantly intervening on our behalf because His love for us is unending. () Yes, many ignore His existence and some are simply dull of hearing. Never-the-less, God shares inspirational insights and draws us into multiple saving experiences.
While many saving experiences appear as natural events, they are a result of our heavenly Father’s presence of Spirit. God also reveals His presence in what is generally acknowledged as awareness conversions, relational rebirths, and Holy Spirit baptisms which are immersions in His Presence.
We can all sense God’s presence.
A Natural Lean
Jesus described the kingdom reign of God in this temporal natural world as our conscious response to His guidance. Awakening experiences activate and enhance our spiritual sensitivities so we become more aware of God, more conscious of spiritual qualities and of God’s favorable desire for us.
God created mankind to live this life as natural and spiritual beings. He designed us to focus on the needs and care of natural life ‘and’ spiritual life. A strong sensitivity toward our heavenly Father’s guidance is what ceased in the Garden of Eden. As their perception of life changed, God became a fearful Being and they responded to His presence by hiding and defending their action.
In this life, we have a natural lean toward gaining wisdom from the “Tree of the knowledge of good ‘and’ evil,” through the “productive and destructive” processes of natural life. (f) Our natural awareness does not cancel our spiritual awareness nor should it over-ride our spiritual livelihood.
We want to remember, all the natural elements of life are temporal, they will pass away and its awareness will cease when we leave this earthly realm. Since God is Love and Light (g) our spiritual perceptions of life, our love factors are what will continue. As we consciously move into an active fellowship with God, our response to Him is no longer restrained by earthly limitations.
God does not leave us clueless. Scripture provides a primary list of the fruitful effects of spiritual life in this world: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (h) May we all continue to strive “to know God” and “become better expressions of His Love and Light!”
God created mankind to live this life as natural and spiritual beings.
a) Genesis 2:7; b) Hebrews 5:11-14; c) Psalm 34:8; d) 2 Corinthians 3:18; e) Acts 2:1-4, 16-18; 2 Kings 6:13-17; Job 42:1-6; Isaiah 6:1-6; Daniel 6:16-23; Matthew 3:16-17; Acts 7:54-56; Revelation 1:9-12; f) Genesis 2:17; 2 Corinthians 11:3; g) 1 John 4:8; 1:5; h) Galatians 5:22-25
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder