446 The Spiritual Man
than that by the opposite sex. For some psychological reason there is
overwhelmingly more attraction to the opposite sex. This is the
common and natural tendency. A slight stimulation occasioned by
the opposite sex generally stirs up deep affection.
Obviously we are now speaking of the natural tendency of man.
For this very reason a Christian who wishes to walk by the spirit
must take note of it. In our association with people, especially in the
matters of love, if we treat the same sex in one way and the opposite
sex in another we know we are already under the operation of the
soul. If we treat them differently for no reason other than that one is
of the opposite sex, then our affection remains natural. To be sure,
such stimulation by the opposite sex can be mixed in with proper
motive. A Christian must nonetheless recognize that should there be
such mixed motives in friendship his social intercourse is not purely
spiritual.
A worker in his work and while at work needs to watch lest the
thought of the opposite sex makes its intrusion. He must resist all
desire to be glorified among the opposite sex. All words uttered and
mannerisms affected due to the influence of the opposite sex
diminish spiritual power. Everything must be done quietly with a
pure motive. Remember that it is not sin alone which defiles;
whatever issues from the soul can defile as well.
Does all this signify, then, that a believer should not have friends
of the opposite sex? The Bible does not so teach. Our Lord when on
earth had friendly fellowship with Martha, Mary, and other women.
So the question fundamentally must be: is our affection wholly under
God’s control? Or is the working of the flesh somehow mixed in
with it? It is perfectly proper for brothers and sisters to fellowship;
only there should not be mixed in with it the working of the soul.
To sum up, a Christian’s affection must be entirely offered to
God. Whenever we feel it too difficult to hand someone over to God,