July 22 2026, Wednesday Teachings
The Flesh and the Spirit Man: Preparing for Eternity
Introduction: The Temporary Flesh and the Eternal Spirit
Human beings spend much of their lives building and satisfying the outward man. They pursue comfort, success, wealth, recognition, honor, and achievements.
Even many who claim to follow Christ can sometimes approach God only for earthly benefits — blessings, prosperity, and comfort for the flesh.
But we must ask a deeper question:
Who is actually being satisfied?
Who entered into marriage?
The flesh.
Who lives in the house?
The flesh.
Who enjoys earthly success, comfort, and recognition?
The flesh.
Who receives honor from people?
The flesh.
But after all the achievements, applause, and recognition given to the flesh, what happens to it?
The final destination of the flesh is:
“Dust to dust.”
The body returns to the earth.
Then the question remains:
What happens to the soul?
What happens to the spirit man?
Where will he spend eternity?
That is the most important question of life.
Why Are We Here on Earth?
The real person is not merely the physical body.
The true person is the inner man — the spirit man.
Our life on earth is preparation for eternity.
The decisions we make today determine our eternal destiny.
Every person must consider:
- What happens after this life?
- Where will I go after death?
- What will be my eternal condition?
The Bible makes it clear that every person will face eternity and judgment.
The Flesh Has Limits
The flesh has earthly needs:
- Food.
- Clothing.
- Rest.
- Shelter.
These needs are legitimate because our body is the temporary dwelling place God has given us on earth.
But the problem begins when the flesh controls the spirit.
The flesh is temporary.
The flesh cannot enter eternity.
Yet many people spend their entire lives developing only the outward man:
- Education.
- Career.
- Wealth.
- Status.
- Success.
These things are not wrong.
But if a person develops only the flesh and neglects the spirit, they have missed the purpose of life.
A person may become:
- A professor.
- A scholar.
- A successful businessman.
- A famous personality.
They may travel the world and receive honor from people.
But if their spirit is not prepared for God, all earthly achievements cannot save them.
A person can be free outwardly but still be a prisoner spiritually.
What Do We Owe the Flesh?
We owe the flesh:
- Food.
- Clothing.
- Rest.
But we must never allow the desires of the flesh to destroy the destiny of the spirit.
The question is:
Why should I allow temporary pleasures to cost my spirit eternal life with God?
This is why every person must examine their life.
The Judgment of the Lord
The judgment of God is the decisive factor that determines eternity.
Every person must give an account.
What we do on earth today has eternal consequences.
The Bible reveals that God’s judgment is classified.
There are:
- The Judgment of the Church
- The Judgment of the World
We begin with the judgment of the Church because it directly concerns believers.
Judgment Begins at the House of God
1 Peter 4:17
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…”
Peter reveals a powerful truth:
God begins His examination with His own people.
The house of God is the Church.
But the Church is not a building.
The true Church is:
- The born-again believer.
- The person who belongs to Christ.
- The person who has received the Spirit of God.
When Jesus said:
“He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.”
He was speaking to His people.
Therefore:
The Church is you and me who are born again.
Why Does Judgment Begin With the Church?
Because those who belong to God are accountable to God.
God examines:
- Our faith.
- Our obedience.
- Our motives.
- Our service.
- Our spiritual condition.
He corrects, purifies, and prepares His children.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body…”
Notice the word:
“Must.”
It is not optional.
Every believer will stand before Christ.
The question is:
If the Lord calls me today, am I ready?
What if tonight is my last night?
What if I do not wake up tomorrow?
Where will my spirit stand?
There is no repentance in the grave.
The time to prepare is now.
Why Do We Follow Christ?
Many people follow Christ only for:
- Money.
- Prosperity.
- Blessings.
- Comfort.
God can bless His children.
There is nothing wrong with prosperity.
But if prosperity is the only reason we follow Christ, we have misunderstood salvation.
The purpose of salvation is not merely to improve earthly life.
It is to prepare us for eternity.
The Purpose of a Christian Life
Before knowing Christ, many people worked hard to influence others and promote worldly things.
They convinced others.
They encouraged others.
They spent energy spreading earthly ideas.
But after coming to Christ, some become silent.
They no longer share the Gospel.
They no longer lead people toward God.
The question is:
If you could influence people before Christ, why should you stop influencing people for Christ?
Jesus said:
Matthew 6:33
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Our priority must be eternal things.
The Judgment of the World
The Bible also teaches about the judgment of those who reject Christ.
Jesus said:
John 3:18
“He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already…”
Rejecting Christ has eternal consequences.
Every person who has lived on earth will give an account before God.
The Great White Throne Judgment
Revelation 20:11
“And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it…”
John saw the holiness and authority of God’s final judgment.
No human argument will stand before God.
People may say:
“Lord, I had reasons.”
“Lord, I was angry.”
“Lord, my circumstances caused me to do it.”
But before the Creator, every excuse will disappear.
Even people tremble before earthly authorities.
How much more before Almighty God?
The Books and the Book of Life
Revelation 20:12
“And the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life…”
Notice:
There were books.
And there was another book — the Book of Life.
The Books of Judgment
The Bible says:
“The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
The books represent the record of every person’s life.
God sees:
- Actions.
- Words.
- Choices.
- Motives.
- Works.
Nothing is hidden from Him.
The Book of Life
The Book of Life represents those who belong to God.
Jesus said:
Revelation 3:5
“He that overcometh… I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life.”
The Christian journey is not only about starting well.
It is about finishing faithfully.
The Need to Overcome
The question is not only:
“Did I begin with Christ?”
The question is:
“Did I remain faithful to Christ?”
Will I remain in Christ:
- Tomorrow?
- Next month?
- Next year?
- Until the end?
A genuine faith produces:
- Obedience.
- Holiness.
- Love.
- Faithfulness.
- Transformation.
Good Works and Promoting the Gospel
Good works are important, but good works alone cannot save.
The greatest work we can do is to make Christ known.
If God has blessed us financially, we can use our resources to:
- Print Bibles.
- Support Gospel ministry.
- Help people hear God’s Word.
- Lead people toward repentance and faith.
One person reading Scripture may find Christ and receive eternal life.
That has eternal value.
Helping People With Wisdom
The Bible commands us to care for those in need.
But our help should always point people toward God.
Our giving cannot purchase salvation.
Our charity cannot replace obedience.
Only Christ saves.
Therefore, our life and our actions must agree with Christ.
Final Exhortation
The flesh will return to dust.
Earthly success will pass away.
Human recognition will disappear.
But the spirit will stand before God.
Therefore:
Feed your body, but do not starve your spirit.
Develop your earthly life, but prepare your eternal life.
Live on earth with eternity in your heart.
The greatest question is not:
“What did I achieve?”
“What did I own?”
“How much recognition did I receive?”
The greatest question is:
“Is my name written in the Book of Life?”
And:
“Am I prepared to stand before God?”
Therefore, while there is still time:
Examine yourself.
Repent.
Walk with Christ.
Prepare for eternity.
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