Exploring Spiritual Landscape

Getting the Lay of the Land - Both Internal and External

This teaching on exploring spiritual landscapes is a practical application that companions the lessons set forth in "Matters of the Heart," our free eCourse for spiritual growth and emotional transformation.

All scripture citations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.

Nine Levels of Reality

Can you see what is real?  Only one of these nine realms of Reality is actually observable by our science and understandable by common sense alone. No wonder the unbelieving world is so totally in the dark. Only the grace of revelation can open our blinded eyes to see the realms we are actualy living in close quarters with!

Note the fallen counterparts of spiritual darkness to those of Light (in vertical correspondence) and how both are converging on the earth. Exploring spiritual landscape around us would be all but impossible without the Word and the Spirit to light the way.

1) Heaven

The eternal dwelling of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, angels, saints (1 Peter 3:21)

2) Kingdom of God

The invisible, spiritual realm surrounding earth (Romans 14:17)

3) Church

The Body of Christ, partly visible, humanity organized by God (Matthew 16:18)

4) New nature

The new creation, Christ's life in us, regenerated spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:27)

5) Earth and its heavens

Natural/physical realm of 5 senses and matter (Psalm 24:1-2)

6) Fallen nature

The flesh, Adam's life in us, spiritual death (Romans 8:6-9)

7) World

The Kosmos, partly visible; humanity organized by Satan (John 12:31; 1 John 2:15)

8) Kingdom of darkness

The invisible, spiritual realm surrounding earth (Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:13)

9) Hell

The eternal place of punishment for Satan, fallen angels, demons, the damned (Matthew 5:30)

Three Descriptions of Self

There are three ways in which we can see and understand ourselves. This is the ever-shifting reality of our internal life. No wonder that trying to explore the spiritual landscape inside of us (without the Word and the Spirit to guide us) can become so confusing.

1) True Self

Who I am in Christ: new creation life, released by trust and obedience.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

2) False Self

Who I am apart from Christ: fallen nature, restrained by inward crucifixion.

And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

3) Actual Self

Who I am at this moment: a mixture of the two, revealed by testing.

And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2

I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.   Jeremiah 17:10

One More to Explore

False Burden Bearing   It is easy to become overburdened, but deadly to be falsely burdened.

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Exploring the Spiritual Landscape (this article)

Interested in Going Deeper?

Consider taking our free eCourse for Healing. We have designed a complete series for personal transformation, "Matters of the Heart," to help Christians gain emotional freedom and inner healing. In all there are 24 Main Healing Lessons and 24 Head to Heart Guides to help you bring your heart to God and receive His Great Heart for you in return!