Abounding Love Podcast with Former ”Tex” Watson

A New Nature is the foundation of the Christian life built solely upon the person and work of Jesus Christ, a Spiritual structure laid in the heart through the power of the Holy Spirit [1 Corinthians 3:11]. Man is a three-part being consisting of spirit, soul and body [1 Thessalonians 5:23]; while the body remains the same at conversion, the spirit undergoes a radical transformation known as the "born again" experience [John 3:3-6]. This rebirth occurs when an individual receives the incorruptible seed of the Word of God [1 Peter 1:23], resulting in a "new creation" or a new species of being that is perfected and sanctified in its Spiritual nature [2 Corinthians 5:17].

Contrary to common teaching, the believer possesses only one nature -- the divine nature -- rather than a dual nature of old and new, because the old "dead" spirit has been completely replaced [2 Peter 1:4]. While the spirit is joined to the Lord [1 Corinthians 6:17], and made 100% holy and perfect, the soul [the mind, will and emotions] must be progressively renewed to align with this inner reality [Romans 12:2]. This transformation is a cooperative process where the believer "works out" their salvation [Philippians 2:12-13], allowing the life and power of the Holy Spirit to flow from the perfected inner man into outward actions and fruit-bearing. It's the prophet Ezekiel, who prophesies this new heart and Spirit [36:26]. Join me as I share these Scriptures and more for your edification. Selah!

[For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide for Episode #808 A New Nature from Abounding Love Ministries"].

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The inner man is defined as the non-material part of a human being, which the Bible often refers to as the heart. It is composed of two distinct parts: the spirit and the soul, while the physical body serves as the "house" or temple for this internal reality. A critical distinction is made between the two: the spirit is regenerated 100% at the moment of the new birth, becoming a perfect new creation. This process is described as a "circumcision of the heart," where the Word of God acts as a sword to cut away the fleshly nature from the spirit. Romans 2:28-29 emphasizes that true circumcision is an inward work of the Spirit rather than a physical one. Whereas the soul [mind, will and emotions] is the part of the inner man that requires continual renewal day by day according 2 Corinthians 4:16.

To become a truly disciplined man, a believer must align their soul with their regenerated Spirit through study and application of Scripture. Ezra 7:10 outlines a three-step process for discipline: seeking [studying] the law [Word] of the Lord, doing it and teaching it to others. This discipline is necessary because, as Romans 7:22-25 describes, there is often a "war" in the mind between the law of God and the law of sin. By abiding in the Word, as instructed in John 8:31-32, believers become "disciples" or "disciplined ones," who know the truth that sets them free from the lies of the Devil.

Ultimately, Proverbs 4:20-27 teaches that keeping the heart with all diligence allows the "issues of life" to flow out from the Spirit, through a disciplined soul and into outward actions that manifest the love and power of God to the world. Join me as I share these Scriptures and more to build your faith for boldness to share the Good News with those around you. Selah!

[For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide for Episode #807 The Discipline of Man from Abounding Love Ministries" ].

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The inner man, or the heart, is defined as the non-material part of a human being, comprised of both the spirit and the soul, while the physical body serves merely as a house for this inward reality. According to 2 Corinthians 4:16, although the outward mam perishes, the inward man is renewed daily through a process that begins with regeneration of the spirit at the new birth. While the spirit is fully regenerated when a person is born again, the soul [mind, will and emotions] requires ongoing renewal to overcome the "stony" and deceitful nature of the unregenerate heart mentioned in Jeremiah 17:9. God's promise of a heart transplant in Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26 describes replacing this hardness with a pliable heart of flesh and a new spirit, which provides the foundation for a believer to walk in God's statutes and experience true life.

The message centers on the circumcision of the heart, a spiritual process that fulfills the Old Testament type of physical circumcision found in Genesis, chapter 17. As explained in Romans 2:28-29, true circumcision is an inward work performed by the Spirit rather than an outward physical act or the literal letter of the law. This "circumcision made without hands" is achieved through the resurrection of Christ, which effectively cuts away the "body of the sins of the flesh" from the believer's inner man [Colossians 2:11-13]. By putting off the fleshly nature and its lust, as detailed in Galatians 5:16-25, the believer is empowered to walk in the Spirit and manifest the fruit of Spirit, such as love, joy and peace. This spiritual transformation, urged in Deuteronomy 10:16 and Jeremiah 4:4, removes the authority of sin and enables the believer to live a life directed by the power and knowledge of God. Selah!

[For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide for Episode #806 Circumcision of the Heart from Abounding Love Ministries" ].

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The Heart of Man episode defines the Inner Man as the non-material part of a person, which the Bible often identifies as the "heart". While the outward man consists of the physical body [Greek: soma] and its senses, the inward man is comprised of both the Spirit [Greek: pneuma] and soul [Greek: psyche]. A crucial distinction is made between these two (2) internal components: the Spirit is the part of the heart [core] that must be regenerated or "born again" to establish a relationship with God, whereas the soul [mind, will and emotions] is the part that must be renewed day by day. This foundational concept is drawn from 2nd Corinthians 4:16, which explains that though the outward man perishes, the inward man is renewed daily.

Before salvation, the human heart is described as "desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9) and influenced by a "spirit of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2). In this unregenerated state, the spirit and soul are aligned in ungodliness, producing evil thoughts and actions that defile the person [Matthew 15:18-20]. True transformation occurs after the spirit is made new; the power of God then works from the inside out to change the soul. As noted in Romans 12:2, believers are called to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind," a process where changing one's thoughts leads to stable emotions and righteous physical actions, reflecting the "good treasures" now held within the heart (Matthew 12:35). Join me as I delve deeper into these Scriptures and more to reveal how to define the heart of man and its transformation in the life of a believer. Selah!

[For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide for Episode #805 The Heart of Man from Abounding Love Ministries" ].

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The Three Parts of Man consists of the spirit, the soul and the body [1 Thessalonians 5:23]. The spirit and soul together form the inner man or the "heart". The spirit is the part of the heart [inner man] that is regenerated at the new birth. This Spiritual rebirth is necessary because human beings are "shapen in iniquity" and "conceived in sin" (Psalm 51:5). When we are born again, like Jesus shared with Nicodemus in John 3:3-7, our spirit is made perfect and becomes filled with the Holy Spirit. Thus, ". . . the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given to us" (Romans 5:5, NKJV).

While the spirit is instantly regenerated, the soul [mind, will and emotions] requires an ongoing renewal [Romans 12:1; Ephesians 4:22-24]. Also, 2 Corinthians 4:16, states that although the "outward man" perishes, the "inward man" is being renewed day by day. The body is the material "outward man" that serves as the temple of the Holy Spirit and the house for the inner man [1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20].

Lastly, I share how the Christian life involves a three-fold timeline: the spirit was born again in the past, the soul is being renewed in the present, and in the future, ". . . the Lord Jesus Christ will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body" (Philippians 3:20-21, NKJV). Join me as I share these Scriptures and more for your edification. My desire is that you might ". . . grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18 NKJV). Selah!

[For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide for Episode #804 The Three Parts of Man from Abounding Love Ministries" ].

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The Resurrected Life explores the three-part nature of man -- spirit, soul and body -- and the process of restoration from the fall of Adam to the resurrection of Christ. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:23, I explain that man is a "spirit" who has a "soul" and lives in a "body", a design intended for intimate fellowship with God. In the original "garden life," man possessed perfect communication with God and dominion over the earth, having been formed from the dust [body] and given life by God's breath [spirit, Genesis 2:7; 1:28]. However, the "fallen life" began when man succumbed to the "corruptible seed" of Satan's lies, leading to spiritual death and an "uncontrolled life" characterized by a double mind and negative emotions like guilt, fear and anger [Genesis 3:6; James 1:8; 4:8].

The "resurrected life" offers a total reversal of this fall through Jesus Christ, the "second Adam" and "life giving" Spirit" (1 Corinthians 15:45). Unlike the first Adam, Jesus overcame the temptation of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life by speaking the Word of God [Matthew 4:1-11]. Through the born-again experience, believers receive an "incorruptible seed" that recreates their spirit and provides a new heart [1 Peter 1:23; Ezekiel 36:26]. This restoration allows for the renewal of the mind, where the soul is brought back into alignment with God's image, enabling the believer to exercise authority over sin and the devil [Colossians 3:10; Romans 6:11-14]. Ultimately, I emphasize that by identifying with Christ's death, burial and resurrection, we regain the discipline and dominion originally intended by God [Romans 6:4-5]. Join me as I share these Scriptures and more on the three parts of man for insight into this very important subject. Selah!

[For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide for Episode #803 The Resurrected Life from Abounding Love Ministries" ].

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In this eye opening message, I explain that mankind transitioned from a stable, God-controlled existence in the Garden of Eden to an "uncontrolled life" due to The Fall of man. This instability is characterized by being "double-minded" and "unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8), a state that began when Eve chose to entertain Satan's thoughts over God's. This decision introduced a corruptible nature where negative thoughts directly birthed destructive emotions such as guilt [Genesis 3:7], fear [Genesis 3:10], blame and anger [Genesis 3:12]. Ultimately, the imaginations of man's heart became "only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). As a result, mankind became alienated from God, leading to a life ruled by the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:15-16).

To reclaim the "garden life," I emphasize that Jesus Christ came to reconcile mankind to God, freeing us from the "law of sin and death" through the "law of the Spirit of life" (Romans 8:2). Although man was previously an "enemy in [his] mind by wicked works" (Colossians 1:21), the path to stability now requires "renewing the mind" by choosing to think God's thoughts instead of Satan's. By actively yielding one's "members as servants to righteousness" (Romans 6:19) and replacing ignorance with the knowledge of God's Word, a person can transition from a state of being "past feeling" with a darkened understanding [Ephesians 4:17-19] to a life of self-discipline and stable emotions. This restored control allows the fruit of the Spirit to flow, enabling believers to maintain an intimate relationship with God and peace with one another. Join me as we study these Scriptures and others for wisdom, understanding and counsel from God's Word of Life, Love, Light and Liberty. Selah!

[For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide for Episode #802 The Uncontrolled Life from Abounding Love Ministries" ].

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In this episode, I share how the three-part nature of man, comprising spirit, soul and body, serves as the foundation for understanding the transition from "garden life" to "fallen life." Mankind was created in the image of God with a Spirit [Gk. pneuma], a soul [Gk. psuche] containing the mind, will and emotions, and a physical body [Gk. soma]. In the Garden of Eden, man held dominion and perfect fellowship with God [Genesis 1:28] until The Fall, which was triggered by Satan's deception. This fall mirrored the prior rebellion of Lucifer, who fell from heaven due to pride and a desire to be like the Most High [Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:11-17]. This fall occurred when Eve used her senses to see the forbidden fruit, her thoughts to desire it, and her will to choose disobedience, resulting in the spiritual death God warned of in Genesis 2:17.

The consequence of this disobedience is the "original sin," a law of sin and death that passed to all mankind, leaving everyone born in a state of spiritual death [Romans 5:12; 8:2]. However, I emphasize that while the "first Adam" was a living soul, Jesus Christ [the "last Adam"] came as a life giving Spirit to restore what was lost in the Fall [1 Corinthians 15:45; John 20:22]. Through the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, believers are "quickened" or made alive, moving from being children of wrath to reigning in life through Christ [Romans 5:17; Ephesians 2:1-5]. By the knowledge of these truths, believers can exercise authority over the devil, renew their minds and cultivate self-control [temperance], to live a discipline, Christlike life.

Join me as we learn more facts about the three-part man in this new series of study that many in the Church are lacking knowledge and as a result not living with understanding the true nature of man. Selah!

[For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide on Episode #801 The Fallen Life from Abounding Love Ministries" ].

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This podcast focuses on how believers should measure their Spiritual walk against God's nature rather than comparing themselves to one another. To measure accurately, one must understand God's character as revealed in Scripture: God is light [1 John 1:5], righteous [1 John 1:29], love [1 John 4:8], life [1 John 5:11-12], truth [John 17:17], and goodness [Romans 11:22]. I emphasize that this process begins by being born again as a "new creation" through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ [2 Corinthians 5:17]. By using God's Word as a mirror, Christians can reflect God's image and grow "from glory to glory" (2 Corinthians 3:18) as Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith" perfects our lives (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Drawing from the book of First John, I share seven (7) specific steps for measuring Christian behavior: FIRST: Walking in the light [1 John 1:6-7], SECOND: Admitting and confessing sin [1 John 1:8-9], THIRD: Obeying God's will [1 John 2:3-4], FORTH: Imitating Christ [1 John 2:6], FIFTH: Loving Others [1 John 2:7-10], SIXTH: Rejecting love for the world [1 John 2:15], and SEVENTH: Proving Christ is righteous by abiding in Him [1 John 2:27-29]. I specifically caution believers to avoid "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16). The ultimate goal of self-measurement is to allow the anointing of the Holy Spirit living in us to empower one's actions, insuring that believers live a pure, victorious life and is not ashamed at the coming of the Lord. Join me as we measure our walk together knowing that only through the power of Christ can we be all that we are called to be. Selah!

[For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide for episode #354 How To Measure Our Walk from Abounding Love Ministries" ].

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In this enriching episode, I teach that God desires his children to prosper and walk in health, which I define not as excessive luxury or "multimillion-dollar homes," but as an abundant supply of resources to meet one's obligation to advance the Gospel. True Biblical wealth is rooted in the covenant of Abraham, as Deuteronomy 8:18 states that God gives His people the power to prosper specifically to establish His covenant on earth. Rather than seeking riches for personal vanity, believers are encouraged to live a moderate life and use their resources to "put more into the kingdom of God" and minister to the world. This provision is guaranteed through Philippians 4:19, which promises that God will supply every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Walking in this prosperity is conditional and requires believers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that material necessities like food and shelter will be added [Matthew 6:33]. Central to this process is meditating on God's Word day and night, a practice outlined in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1 that builds faith and creates an "inner image" of success in the soul. As the soul [mind, will and emotions] prosper through renewing the mind and fellowship with God, eternal health and wealth naturally follow [3 John 2]. 

Finally, believers must be diligent doers of the Word, hearkening to God's voice as described in Deuteronomy 28 to access that blessing of obedience and remain free from the "curse of the law" through Christ's redemption [Galatians 3:13]. Join me as I delve deeper into the subject of divine prosperity for your success both personally and in ministry. Selah!

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