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Metaphorically speaking, God has given humans two operating systems to function with in heaven and on earth while they are alive. The factory pre-installed software is called “ego”, or what the bible refers to as the “flesh”. The option to upgrade from this software to the “spirit” operating system is only activated through salvation through Jesus Christ. Navigating life with the two operating systems and knowing the differences in function and application are essential for all Christians to understand and maintain their faith worldviews, develop spiritually and be effective servants in the kingdom of God.
The death of Jesus Christ on the cross marked the end of God’s time frame for ego (flesh) to be the primary operating system for humans. Jesus who was without ego and uncorrupted took the sin of all humanity past, present and future to death with himself to officially phase that operating system out. The new covenant, the resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the holy spirit were the events that marked the roll out of the new operating system God had planned for humanity known as “spirit” since the “fall” of Adam and Eve, with Jesus being the activation key.
This comparison chart between the two operating systems corresponds directly with the two polarized kingdoms, where they originate from, and how they manifest themselves.
| EGO/FLESH OPERATING SYSTEM. Origin: Satan. Introduced as a result of the disobedience (sin) of Adam and Eve documented in the book of Genesis. Characterized by spiritual separation from God. Purely physical, carnal, deceitful. Domain: Earth Only. Worldly society. | SPIRIT OPERATING SYSTEM. Origin: God the Father, Jesus Christ & The Holy Spirit. Characterized by spiritual relationship with God. Spiritual and physical. Truthful. Domain: Heaven and Earth. Kingdom of God. |
| Fear based | Love based |
| Prone to stress | Prone to peace |
| Selfish | Selfless |
| Manufacturing Self Image & Appearance | Identity in God |
| Independent living | Allowing God to help and be involved |
| Always wanting more | Contentment, gratitude, thankfulness |
| Death | Eternal life |
| Needs to control | Likes to surrender. |
| Holds on to grudges | Forgiving |
| Wants to control destiny according to personal desires | Wants to live life according to what God’s will is |
| Self-worth conditional on performance and achievement (doing) | Self-worth defined by Gods unconditional love and approval in relationship with him (identity) |
| Security conscious | Trusting God to provide |
| Limited by human efforts | Experiences miracles |
| Wants power | Wants to serve |
| Strives for own recognition | Wants to glorify God |
| Darkness | Light |
Ego software is outdated and limited in function. It can only focus on the physical world and it tends to keep people trapped in patterns of fear because it uses old wiring in a biological brain and aligns with worldly values. Ego cannot tap into the realm of spirit because it can only focus on the physical and social world (1 Corinthians 2:14). Jesus spoke directly against the continued use of ego as it separates people from God and ultimately destroys them if they do not eventually receive him:
“The Spirit gives life; the [ego] counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life”.
– John 6:63.
When a person receives Jesus Christ as their lord and savior, God the father upgrades their operating system to “spirit” which enables them to perceive spiritual things which the ego could not understand. The realm of the spirit exists in what Jesus referred to as the kingdom of God. This dimension is the ultimate reality as it exists in love and other manifestations of spirit that can never end because it exists outside space and time. Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is already here on Earth and is a supernatural place that exists among people who follow him.
“The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
– Luke 12:20-21.
In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote about the difference between navigating life in the ego and spirit that Jesus taught about:
”Those who live according to the [EGO] have their minds set on what the [EGO] desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the [EGO] is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the [EGO] is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the [EGO] cannot please God.”
– Romans 8:5-8.
Jesus brought a blueprint of Gods plan for humanities spiritual evolution that directly opposed the egocentric values of conventional society up to this present moment. This is best summed up in Jesus’ words that appear in Luke’s gospel: “What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight” (Luke 16:15). Experience and life dissatisfaction in an ego orientated world gives people the ability to discover everything that they are not in order to discover who they truly are. Indeed, this is why temptation is necessary. From darkness and deceit, they are led to Gods light and truth. Receivers of Christ know that they no longer belong to the world which their ego once navigated but instead belong to God in his kingdom. They live in the holiness of their real identity and eternal home with Jesus. Many wonder why it took them so long to make the upgrade that God has made available to everyone.
Tim Crawshaw is an advocate for Christianity to move back to its supernatural roots from religion into relationship with Jesus. He runs a wilderness ministry in Tasmania, Australia, called “The Bay of Fires Walk For Spiritual Seekers” which gives participants an opportunity to authentically and supernaturally encounter God in some of the most beautiful isolated beaches in the world to receive restoration and life changing spiritual growth. Contact Tim through the walk website here https://www.bayoffireswalkforspiritualseekers.com/