This document diagrams and explains the two natures of humanity: the sinless human nature possessed by Adam before the Fall and by Jesus during his time on Earth, and the sinful human nature possessed by all other humans which is corrupted and incapable of pleasing God. It notes that believers still have the sinful nature present but it is powerless when they abide in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, while being out of fellowship allows the sinful nature to be dominant. The divine nature of the Holy Spirit provides life for believers and enables them to produce spiritual fruit, in contrast to the dead works of the flesh from the sinful nature.

1. Lesson 8
Two Natures
Diagrams / Abiding

2. = The sinless human nature, totally compatible with God.
Adam (before he sinned) and
Jesus - while He was on earth
Gen. 1:27
Gen. 2:7
Gen. 1:31
Rom. 5:14
1 Cor. 15:45
Phil. 2:5-7
Heb. 4:15

3. = The sinful human nature, corrupted and incapable of producing fruit that is
acceptable and pleasing to God.
All unbelievers
Rom. 3:23
Rom. 3:10-12
1 Cor. 15:22
Eph. 2:12

4. Human Nature
is still present and
corrupted, but
powerless
Note: The circular “dotted line” represents the “conditional” aspect
of abiding.
The condition of “abiding” in
fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
(The “normal” Christian life)
Gal. 5:16
Gal. 5:22-23
“walking in the Spirit”

5. The Law
Condemns
“walking in the Flesh”
The condition of “not
abiding”, having an
unresolved issue(s)
with the Holy Spirit.
Gal. 5:17
John 15:4-5
Rom. 8:8

6. The Divine Nature
in the Person of the
Holy Spirit
Jer. 17:7-8
Psa. 1:3
Mat. 7:17-18
Gal. 5:17-23
2 Pet. 1:4

7. The corrupted sinful
human nature from the
1st Adam
Jer. 17:5-6
Mat. 7:17-18
Gal. 5:17-23

8. James 3:9-12
John 7:37-39
Jer. 17:9
John 6:63
Rom. 3:10-12
Rom. 7:18
Rom. 8:8
Gal. 5:17

9. Mat. 5:21-22
5:27-28
Mat. 15:19
Rom. 3:19-20
Rom. 5:20
Gal. 5:22-23
Rom. 4:15
Rom. 5:13

10. NOTE: In the following verses, “death” refers to “absence of life”,
i.e. devoid of life originating from God. (for example, a salt
water spring).
A. From God’s perspective the believer has “died to” (freed from)
the sinful nature, and has been joined to Christ.
Rom. 6:18, 22
Rom. 7:4

11. B. As an unbeliever I was dominated by my sinful
nature, which resides in my physical body.
Rom. 7:5
C. Now, as a believer, I have been freed from
bondage to the sinful nature.
Rom. 7:6
D. God never intended the Law to be a means by
which humans could make the sinful nature
acceptable to Him, but rather He used the Law to
demonstrate how “totally unacceptable” the sinful
nature is. Rom. 7:7-13

12. E. Paul experienced what every Christian needs to
learn, that the sinful nature is not the least bit
improved since I became a Christian. No matter
how I try, I cannot make it conform to God’s
character. Rom. 7:14-16
F. Paul became aware that the sinful nature
cannot be changed. It no longer represented his
real desires, but what other option did he have?
Rom. 7:17-24

13. G. God’s solution for the hopelessness of the
sinful human nature was not to repair or overhaul
the old nature, but to provide a new nature that
is totally compatible with His character. Paul did
not reside in Rom. 7, nor should I.
Rom. 7: 25
Rom. 8: 1-4
Rom. 8: 5-8
Gal. 2:19-20
…walk by the Spirit,
and you will not carry out the desire
of the flesh.
(Galatians 5:16)