The Spiritual Man

(^1 1)
Intuition
To Understand more clearly what spiritual life is we
must analyze the spirit explicitly and assimilate all its
laws. Only after we are really acquainted with its
different functions are we able to know the laws which
govern them; only after we become familiar with those
laws can we walk according to the spirit; that is, according to the
laws of the spirit. This is indispensable for experiencing the spiritual
life. We should never fear appropriating too much knowledge
concerning the spirit; but we should be extremely apprehensive if we
use our mind excessively in such pursuit.
God’s glad tidings to men is that the fallen can be regenerated and
the fleshly can receive a new spirit. This new spirit serves as the
basis for new life. What we commonly term spiritual living is but to
walk by this spirit which we obtain at regeneration. It is something to
be deplored that believers are so ignorant of the functions of the
spirit as well as of other matters pertaining to it. Although they may
know the relationship of the spirit to man in name, they are unable to
identify their spirit in experience. Either they do not realize where
their spirit is or else they interpret their own feelings or thoughts to
be functions of the spirit. An analysis of its functions hence becomes
absolutely essential, for without them no believer can move
according to the spirit.
The Functions of the Spirit
Mention was made previously that the functions of the spirit could
be classified as intuition, communion, and conscience. While these
three can be distinguished, still, they are closely entwined. It is
therefore difficult to treat of one without touching upon the others.
When we talk for example about intuition, we naturally must include
communion and conscience in our discussion. Thus in dissecting the