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WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE NAKED?

Overcoming the Stronghold

of Condemnation

Kelvin J. Cochran

Acknowledgement

I thank God for choosing me to deliver this message to redeemed men of the Body of Christ who wrestle with the stronghold of condemnation. I pray also that by the grace of God it will find its way into the hands of men who have not confessed Christ as Savior and Lord. While I am still a work in progress, my life is a testimony of the struggle with condemnation and how a man can grow from strength to strength, through diligent pursuit of fulfilling God’s purpose for his life through the Word of God.

My wife Carolyn and my children Tiffane, Kelton and Camille, and my granddaughter Thailyn, inspire me day by day, to be the man God has called me to be. Their love and support keeps me striving for greater heights and depths of seeking the glory of God for our household and the generations of Cochran’s to come.

The men in my bible study small group on Friday mornings at Q-Time Restaurant and the men of my Quest for Authentic Manhood small group at Elizabeth Baptist Church both inspired me to take what was initially a six week lesson plan to study this topic, to a book. Sharing the lesson plan with my brothers on Friday mornings convinced me that more men would be blessed from this study.

To God be the glory for what happens from here!

Introduction

Genesis 3:7-11 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called the man, and said to him. “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” And he said, “Who told you that you were naked?”

During a six-month men’s small group study of “The Quest for Authentic Manhood”, from the Men’s Fraternity Series by Dr. Robert Lewis, Session 15: Genesis and Manhood, Part I focused on God’s purpose for creating man. As the facilitator of the session, I was fascinated when the men begin to share their thoughts on the consequences of Adam’s decision from then until now. It became quite clear that the generational consequences of the sinful nature are still in full effect—even for men who have been redeemed.

As we continued the discussion on challenges we were all facing as men, it also became clear that God’s reaction and response to Adam’s transgression had generational implications as well. After walking through the garden and not finding Adam as he had on many other occasions, he called out for him. From his hiding place, Adam confessed he and Eve were in fact hiding because they were naked.

God’s reaction was in the form of a question that has gripped my spirit and consequently led to this study. “Who told you that you were naked?” I was convinced after hearing each man in our group share personal struggles with the sinful nature that there was much more to the question from God’s perspective. “Who told you that you were naked?” meant much more than “Who told you that you did not have on clothes?”

God knew things would not be the same. However, he was determined to redeem Adam and Eve to a meaningful relationship with himself. His judgment would stand, but to continue with his plan for mankind, Adam’s solution of fig leaves would not suffice. So God clothed them with coats of skin through shedding the blood of an innocent lamb. This redemptive solution by God would have generational implications for all of mankind.

The term “naked” in its English translation has been primarily associated with the meaning of being completely nude or without clothing (v.7). However, this definition is but one of many in the Bible. In the King James Version, the word “naked” is used forty-five (45) times and the word “nakedness” is used forty-three (43) times. After a comprehensive review of the use of both words in their proper context, a common theme emerges, God’s definition and use of the word “naked” is more comprehensive than Adam’s discovery and subsequent use of the word “naked”.

Before Adam’s discovery of his condition after the transgression, the word had never been spoken. The instantaneous transformation of his condition from what he had previously known resulted in a shock and awe for Adam that literally blew his mind. That radical reaction led to an astonishing visual revelation, “they saw that they were naked”. Yes it includes totally nude, the loss of being clothed with glory, but was also associated with many other consequences (condemnation) and losses (deprivation) that they were yet not aware of before they ate the forbidden fruit.

When God asked the question, “Who told you that you were naked?” he was fully aware of the fullness of the depth and scope of what the word meant for his precious creation. Sin brought condemnation. Condemnation wrought deprivation. Adam never gave God a straight answer to the question. Men today have yet to give God a straight answer. It’s time we answer the question, “Who told you that you were naked?”

Overcoming the Stronghold of Condemnation

“In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Jesus overcame all of earth’s furies, all of the world’s devices. He overcame each trial, tribulation, test and temptation, time and time again. The powers of the adversary were strained to the utmost to break him. They failed. Jesus overcame and conquered for our sake, not for his own sake. From an outside perspective, based upon the persecution and suffering that the people saw him going through, the persecution and the crucifixion, he was conquered. Even in the thoughts of his faithful followers, he was defeated (God Calling, 1989).

In his earthly mission, he came not just to show us God the Father, but he also came to show us God the Son, unconquered, unharmed, untouched by evil and its power. His resurrected body was and is the evidence of his victory over all of earth’s furies.

As sons of God, we must share in the experience of his tribulations. Christ’s overcoming gives us courage and confidence. In his conquering power we will walk in victory, unharmed and untouched by the evil one and his power.

Overcoming defined is:

 To get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer; defeat—to overcome the enemy

 To prevail over (opposition, a debility, temptations, etc.); surmount—to overcome one’s weaknesses

 To overpower or overwhelm in body or mind, as does liquor, a drug, exertion or emotion—overcome with guilt

 To overspread or overrun

 To gain the victory: win; conquer—a plan to overcome by any means possible

Stronghold defined is:

 A net

 A snare

Through the act of one man’s offense death has reigned by one man—Adam. But we who have received the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one man—Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17) Many sons of God are not reigning in life victoriously because we are overcome with the stronghold of condemnation. Those who suffer with this affliction have placed more emphasis on what Adam did in the Garden of Eden, than on what Jesus did on Calvary. The greatest weapon the enemy has against a man after he has made a confession of faith is condemnation. It spiritually shackles a man to his past, his sinful nature, an enslaved mind and does not allow him to walk in the freedom of his salvation. Christ has overcome the stronghold of condemnation. Condemnation has been conquered. Who told you that you were naked?

Chapter 1

The Fall into Condemnation

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; Genesis 3:6-7a

The Origin of Condemnation

In the beginning, God formed Adam from the dust of the earth; and Eve was formed from a rib taken out of Adam. God nurtured and cared for them. They had a very intimate, visible, physical and interactive relationship with one another.

God established Adam as the chief steward, the earth-blesser. He had authority over everything God created. God empowered Adam to prosper in all things.

God created the Garden of Eden and placed Adam and Eve there, to cultivate it and to keep it. They were both physically naked (Genesis 2:25), but spiritually clothed in glory, holiness, honor and righteousness. They were not ashamed.

Adam walked with God, in the fullness of God. He saw himself as God created him, as God purposed for him. After eating the forbidden fruit, he saw himself different from how God saw him. The words of the serpent caused him to do something God told him not to do. That act of disobedience changed how Adam saw himself and how God saw him. The clothing of glory, holiness, honor and righteousness was gone! Adam and Eve required a physical covering and could no longer share the same level of intimacy with God. They had to be separated from the God of Glory, Holiness, Honor and Righteousness. They were naked.

Adam’s reaction to his spiritual demotion and his physical nakedness introduced guilt, shame, fear and death to what was formally perfection. This spiritual demotion and physical revelation brought condemnation and deprivation to the human spirit, body and soul—even all of creation (Romans 8:22). Condemnation and deprivation are the greatest barriers to a man walking in the fullness of his purpose and in the fullness of God in an intimate relationship (Hebrews 11:6).

The mindset that Adam had after his sin was that nakedness is shameful, embarrassing and a reason to be afraid. His realization of what he had done caused a deep disappointment he had never experienced. Why was he so ashamed and embarrassed? He realized he doubted the excellence and perfection of God concerning his and Eve’s life purpose. He no longer saw himself as God saw him—perfect, holy and righteous. He realized that what he had lost was greater than what he gained from his transgression and that he would never get it back. Just as he emphatically knew he was naked, he also had an overwhelming conviction that things would never be the same.

Sin is like that. It is so deceitful to make us believe that what we will gain from a transgression is greater than what God has promised. The truth of the matter is we always lose more than we gain when we sin. Consequently, carnal emotions, feelings, sensations and rationale entered into the human soul creating enmity between God and man from then until now. We are born into condemnation.

Eerdman’s Dictionary of the Bible indicates that some New Testament writings characterize man’s choice of sin as a “fall under condemnation of the devil” and a “fall under condemnation”. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into condemnation of the devil. (I Timothy 3:6);

Pride was one of three temptations which caused Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. She was told by the serpent she would be like God, knowing good and evil. This scripture indicates that condemnation originated from the devil and is sustained by the devil.

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. (James 5:12).

Condemnation is once again associated with a fall. When a man does not keep his word or makes a vow or an oath with wrong motives, there is a potential for that man to fall into condemnation.

Condemnation occurred when Adam ate, not Eve. Their eyes were opened and they saw that they were naked. Sin changed their predominately spiritual condition to a predominately physical condition. They were both overwhelmed with a sense of doom and loss. As such, when a man is under condemnation, it affects his wife and family. However, when a man overcomes the stronghold of condemnation, it blesses his wife and influences the atmosphere in his entire household.

Things Adam and Eve lost:

 They lost their ability to see spiritual things

 They lost their mind, their God-way of thinking

 They lost their paradise

 They lost their lifespan

 They lost their of purposeThey lost God consciousness: God is with me, on my side, pleased with meThey lost their intimacy with God: no longer was he visible, accessible and approachable

 They lost their confidence toward God

Adam Before the Fall

Everything was created and provided for Adam before he was formed by God (Genesis 1:1-26). Before the fall, Adam had it made. God made a special habitat for him to live in and to thrive. God made him a garden, placed him in it and gave him job specifications (Genesis 2:8-17). God gave him the assignment of naming all creatures and with the assignment, gave him the knowledge he needed to get the assignment accomplished without God’s intervention and supervision.

Whatever Adam called a living creature that was its name. If Adam said it, that was it! (Genesis 2:19) After successfully completing all his assignments and proving himself obedient, God took a rib from him, made a woman and brought her to him to be his wife. The two of them were one flesh. They were naked. They were not ashamed (Genesis 2:23-25).

Sin entered creation through Adam. Since that time all men have been born with a sinful nature. We have all inherited the nature of sinfulness (nakedness). Salvation entered creation (the world) through Jesus Christ. Consequently, from the time of his resurrection all who have confessed him as Savior and Lord and have been baptized are born again and have taken on his nature of righteousness (clothed). In other words, we are clothed with Christ and are no longer naked! (Galatians 3:27) Who told you that you were naked?!

The naked mindset places greater emphasis on what Adam did. The clothed mindset places greater emphasis on what Jesus has done.

Adam Jesus

Son of God Son of God

Made flesh from dirt Made flesh from the Spirit

Sinner Righteous

Nature of Sin Nature of Righteousness

Condemnation Redemption

Deprivation Restoration

Naked Clothed

Nakedness Defined

According to Eerdman’s Dictionary of the bible, nakedness is defined as totally nude or inadequately clothed. Although total nudity could be associated with the innocence of a new born child it was most often a euphemism for sexual organs or sexual activity (Lev. 18:1-23; 20:10-21; Ezek. 16:8).

The first use and context of the word naked was not associated with sex organs or sexual activity. It was associated with a death to life with God as they knew it; a loss of spirituality; and an awakening to carnality. Adam and Eve’s own shame at the recognition of their nakedness in the wake of their disobedience (Gen. 3:7) is but one example of the facts that nakedness was associated with a variety of human conditions (most of which are associated with the conditions of condemnation and deprivation) often considered shameful or humiliating (Isa. 47:3).

Nakedness symbolized adulterers (I Sam. 20:30) and was often a defining characteristic in metaphors depicting those who rejected God as either adulterers or prostitutes (Ezek. 16: 36-37; Rev. 17:16). In other words, when a person, tribe or nation rejects God, they are naked.

Nakedness in the sense of being inadequately clothed is one of the several types of deprivations used to represent both poverty (Job 24:10; Isa. 58:7; James 2:15) and oppression by one’s enemy (including “the enemy”) (Deut. 28:48; Rom. 8:35). Consequently, it was used as a figure of judgment against Israel. [A nakedness mindset is a punishment; a curse (Ezek.23:29) to nations (Isa. 20:2-4) or individuals (Hos. 2:3 [MT 5]).

Nakedness was also associated with ecstatic spiritual states, both positively (I Sam. 19:24; 2 Sam. 6.20-21) and negatively (Luke 8:27) and laws regarding the attire of priests and the construction of altars showed a particular concern that they avoid accidentally exposing themselves during the performance of their duties (Exodus 20:26; 28:42) whether these laws were a direct reaction against Canaanite religious practices, as some have suggested or reflected a more general taboo regarding nakedness is subject to debate. The priests’ attire made them “clothed in righteousness” completely covered. If any part of the body was exposed during their holy duties before our holy God—the judgment was death.

Being spiritually “clothed” or “covered” is an absolute imperative for meaningful interaction with God. God despises nakedness because of its origin in sin, not because he can’t look at a totally nude body. Nakedness to God is a visual reminder that his original plan for mankind was destroyed by disobedience. It created enmity between God and man. The Fall has created two human conditions which initiated and continues to widen the gap between God and man. The two human conditions are condemnation and deprivation. All carnal infirmities which prevent a man from walking in his God-ordered purpose and destiny fall under one of these two categories.

The Naked Condition

Condemnation is the consequence of Adam’s disobedience. It describes the adverse spiritual and psychological conditions associated with nakedness. Condemnation is a death sentence. We are all condemned to die. It is an overwhelming, insurmountable sense of being unworthy or inadequate, accompanied by the sense that there is nothing we can do to stop it.

Deprivation is a consequence of condemnation. It describes the adverse spiritual, psychological and physical losses associated with nakedness. Deprivation is a removal from ecclesiastical office with all its provisions and benefits; dispossession; loss. It is the overwhelming, insurmountable sense of not having enough, accompanied by a never ending quest to be fulfilled.

The human condition of condemnation is an inherent steady state of accusation, blame, censure, damnation, denouncement, denunciation, disapproval, doom, judgment, proscription, reproach, reprobation, reproof, sentence and stricture.

From denunciation comes the sense of arraignment, castigation, cursing, and derogation, dressing down, incrimination, reprehension, smearing, stigmatization, upbraidment, and vilification.

The human condition of deprivation is an inherent steady state of dispossession, denial, destitution, disadvantage, distress, divestiture, expropriation, hardship, loss, removal, seizure, want, withdrawal, and withholding.

Conditions of Deprivation: Men Struggles

Fatherhood Marriage

Reconciliation Stubbornness

Forgiveness Jealousy

Anger Rebellion

Envy Temptation

Depression Arrogance

Lack Rejection

Uncertainty Greed

Addictions Hopelessness

Commitment Covetous

Disappointment Trust

Fear Surrender

Pride Lust

The consequences of what occurred in the Garden of Eden has transcended generations. All men are infected with the sinful nature. Condemnation and deprivation are the drivers that result in many afflictions and many infirmities for men. No one is immune. Which of the conditions listed are most applicable to your struggles as a man?

Biblical Men with Deprived Experiences

You are not alone. You are not the first to experience these struggles and you will not be the last. The bible has case studies of many men who had challenges with these conditions. Some are touted as bible villains, but there are many we would celebrate as biblical heroes. Consider these challenges and some of the men who struggled in these areas.

 Fatherhood: Jacob, David, Eli, Samuel

 Addictions: Sampson, Solomon

 Jealousy: Cain, Saul

 Temptation: Judah & Tamar; David & Bathsheba

 Reconciliation: Jacob & Esau; David & Absalom

 Depression: Elijah, Hezekiah and Asa

 Stubbornness: Saul, Jeroboam, Ahab

The consequences of the naked condition are quite significant and are played out in the lives of all mankind. Consider the following as described in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. (Dake’s pp. 227).

 15 consequences upon children and material prosperity

 30 consequences of sickness, crop failure, war, captivity, business failure and poverty

 26 new and old consequences of defeat, captivity, sickness, persecution and insanity

 21 consequences of slavery, death, cannibalism and extreme poverty

The Clothed Condition

Salvation through Jesus Christ reverses all the effects of the Fall and provides a spiritual transformation. Being born again changes our human condition and restores a man to his dominate spiritual condition. We die to the nature of Adam—the sin nature. We inherit the nature of Christ—the righteous nature.

Jesus—the second Adam, was born of God’s Spirit-seed through the virgin birth—through Mary. Jesus was born God, manifested in human form. It is the Spirit-seed of God that makes Jesus the only begotten Son. Jesus was born righteous (sinless) and remained sinless until he died on Calvary. He is the first human to be born through the Spirit-seed of God. He is the only human to be born of the Spirit-seed of God by way of the virgin birth. As such, he is the “first born of many brethren”.

Our natural birth is by way of man-seed through the procreative process or intercourse between a man and a woman. Because of the first Adam, we are born sinners and will remain that way until the day we die. Praise be to God that we do not have to die as sinners. Through faith in Jesus Christ we can become sons of God and receive his righteous nature. When we are “born”, our human DNA dominates our ways, habits and manner of life. When we are “born again” our human DNA is overcome by God’s spiritual DNA—the Holy Spirit. Through this divine regeneration we become sons of God. To make it plain, the Son of God became the Son of man, in order that the sons of men may become the sons of God.

The blood of Jesus severed the blood lineage of our humanity. We are no longer identified by the nature of Adam in God’s eyes. We are identified by the nature of Jesus Christ in God’s eyes. Because the blood line of our humanity has been severed by the blood of Jesus, the description of our lineage is no longer: Adam begat Seth; and Seth begat Enosh, and Enosh begat Kenan…..Or in the case of my family, Otis begat George; and George begat Kelvin; and Kelvin begat Kelton and so on. To put it another way, our relationship to the Father is no longer through generational lineage. God has no grandchildren, only sons and daughters. As such the sequence of our lineage is, God begat Jesus (the first born); and God begat Kelvin; and God begat Kelton. Jesus is God’s Son. I am God’s son, and my son is God’s son. We are joint-heirs with Christ. All men who are born again are sons. We are in the direct lineage of God the Father as sons begotten of the Spirit of God.

Hebrews 1:5-6 confirms it. For unto which of the angels saith he at anytime, thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a son? And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, and let all the angels of God worship him.

I Peter 1:3-4 also provides evidence. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

As born again sons of God we are transformed from a naked condition to a clothed condition; from world consciousness to God-consciousness. Condemnation is reversed to an inherent spiritual state of absolution, acquittal, cleared, discharged, exonerated, freed, pardoned, and released. Consequently, deprivation is overcome by an inherent spiritual state of bestowal, endowment, giving, indulgence, offering, presentation, and supply.

Case Study: Jesus and a Naked Man

Luke 8:26-39 provides a phenomenal case study on how Jesus makes the difference in the worst case scenario of naked men. When Jesus had traveled to the country of the Gerasenes over against Galilee, it was there where he met a certain homeless man living in a cemetery, possessed with demons.

The NIV Bible description states, “For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but lived in the tombs.” This man had been naked and homeless for a long time. According to the text, he had a home and a family. His naked condition existed long before it evolved to a state of him not having on any clothes. He was spiritually naked before he became physically naked.

There were many attempts from others to help him, to keep him from hurting himself and others. They would often bind him in chains and fetters, however, on every occasion he would break them off. He eventually got fed up with his family and friends persistent efforts and fled to live in the tombs—naked.

One of the interesting facts about this case is, the naked man knew who Jesus was and came out to meet him. He fell at Jesus’ feet and cried out. His motive was not worship or deliverance, but rejection. He wanted desperately for Jesus to leave him alone. He wanted Jesus to leave him the way he was.

Jesus diagnosed his naked condition. He was filled with a legion of demons. As the story progresses, Jesus commanded the demons to come out of him. They entered into swine that were feeding in a nearby field. The swine then ran over a cliff to their death.

Jesus delivered, saved and rescued the naked man. There were men tending the swine who witnessed the entire event. They ran to tell the towns people who hurriedly came to see for themselves. When they arrived, they found the man who had been the community vagrant, abusive husband and dead beat dad, sitting at the feet of Jesus. He was no longer naked, but clothed and in his right mind. His body was healed. He was cleaned up.

The life of the man in the tombs describes the status of too many men today. Many men today are so overcome by condemnation and deprivation that their lives are out of control with worldly addictions and selfish ambitions, to the extent they have lost their homes, lost their families, their jobs, are financially devastated and have ruined every meaningful relationship. Like the naked man in the tombs, they too know who Jesus is, but vehemently reject him, begging him to leave them alone. But just as Jesus diagnosed this man’s naked condition, he knows every man’s condition. He still has the power to command demons to flee, to clean us up, restore our minds, our relationships and our finances. He still has the power to clothe.

Chapter 2

The Naked

Matthew 8:22 “But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead (spiritually dead) bury their own dead (physically dead).”

The naked are spiritually dead. The place of origin of spiritual death for all human kind is the Garden of Eden. From the time of the Fall until now, all are born spiritually dead. The instigator of spiritual death is Satan. The progenitor of spiritual death is Adam. The serpent’s provocative conversation led to Eve’s transgression, but nothing happened until Adam took the forbidden fruit and ate it. Genesis 3:7 states, “Then the eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked.” They became spiritually dead. They lost spiritual-awareness and gained carnal-awareness. They became more self-conscious and less God-conscious. Before sin they saw themselves as God’s precious possession. Before sin they saw themselves as God saw them. Before sin they saw themselves through:

 God’s eyes

 God’s heart

 God’s will and purpose

After sin they saw themselves as they perceived themselves as compared to their previous exalted state and to a holy and loving God. They came to the realization that they had been deceived and that what they gained from their sin was far worse and could not be compared to what they had lost. The deceitfulness of sin is the sense we will gain more from the disobedient act than what we already have—that the pleasure of sin is greater than the rewards of the promise of God (Hebrews 11:24-26).

They were no longer clothed in his glory. They were no longer dominant spiritual beings in a physical frame of reference; they were now dominant carnal beings deprived of their former dominant spiritual nature. They lost the power to do good only. They gained the power to do evil. Instead of becoming like God as the serpent proclaimed, they became directly opposed to him. Adam lost that glorious state of sinlessness and became spiritually dead.

As a consequence of spiritual death, they lost their God-way of thinking and gained a man-way of thinking. God’s view of nakedness was pure, innocent, holy and beautiful. Man’s view of nakedness was shameful, embarrassing and something that must be hidden or covered. Spiritual death, loss of God-consciousness also resulted in the gain of fear, lack of accountability, guilt and many other carnal infirmities (Genesis 3:10-12).

As men of God we have been struggling to see ourselves as God sees us ever since. We are trying to pay for something that has already been bought by the blood of Jesus. Many men are wandering aimlessly and do not know why. The nakedness mentality is of the devil. He is the father of lies and he is still up to his old deceptive tricks, trying to convince us that we are naked even though we are clothed in righteousness. No one told Adam he was naked. Because of the spiritual death, he simply lost his mind, the mind he had before the Fall. He lost the ability to see himself as God saw him.

“Who told you that you were naked?” Men have yet to give God a straight answer. We keep placing blame. We too have inherited the same nature of the nakedness mindset—the naked way of thinking. We wrestle with the ability to see ourselves from God’s perspective in our minds, thoughts, rationale and understanding—even though we have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:16).

The Naked Mentality

The naked condition was evident in the religious leaders, the scribes and the Pharisees during Jesus’ ministry on earth. The religious leaders were absolutely convinced that their righteousness was based on the staunch law code and their ancestry in the bloodline of Abraham. Jesus Christ could not convince them otherwise. Many believers today are absolutely convinced of their salvation through the blood of Jesus, but that the law code is still essential to righteousness. The Word of God cannot convince them otherwise.

Jewish leaders had made up their mind that the message of righteousness by faith through grace was a message of heresy. They believed in God but they rejected His Salvation, His Son and His message. Many believers today have also made up their mind that the message of righteousness by faith through grace is heresy. They believe in God and His only begotten Son, but they reject His Salvation, His message of grace and righteousness by faith.

To believe in Jesus Christ and yet believe we are condemned—that we are still sinners who must work or keep the law code to be righteous before God is a condition of nakedness. Nakedness of this sort becomes a conscious choice made by a believer commonly referred to as self-condemnation and self-deprivation. It is a decision to not accept what Christ has done, even after coming into the knowledge of the truth. It is a state of mind that says:

He came, but he did not accomplish. He came but he did not finish. He came but he did not conquer. He came but he failed. This is the condition of a clothed man with a nakedness mentality.

Too many men receive the charge to overcome as a directive to conquer the sin nature within the scope of their own strength and power; including both physical and imagined acts of transgression. However, the first and most significant step in conquering the sin nature is to overcome the nakedness mentality of condemnation and deprivation which can only be accomplished through salvation. Our continual futile efforts to overcome condemnation leads to a heavy load of guilt, shame and loss no man has the capacity to conquer. Jesus Christ provides the solution. “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Being overwhelmed with the burden of sin to a man who has been saved is condemnation. Clothed men should not feel overwhelmed by the burden of our failures, or the burden of our transgressions. There is a mentality that exists in some of the sons of God where we feel the strength of our salvation only between transgressions. In other words, after a transgression we are overcome with guilt, we ask for forgiveness and then feel the love of God through his blessed pardon and mercy. He is always faithful and just to forgive us. The guilt goes away; we then sense the sweet fragrance of freedom from punishment—that is, until the next transgression. Afterwards, we begin to be overwhelmed with condemnation all over again.

Salvation is continuous, ongoing and everlasting. We are not forgiven for the time being—between transgressions. We are forgiven forevermore. We must become saturated with this truth by the renewing of our mind. We are not saved to the almost. We are saved to the utmost. Repeat this aloud with me:

“I am not saved for the time being. I am saved forevermore! I am not saved to the almost. I am saved to the utmost!”

Ephesians 2:1-4 has something to say about this issue: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now in at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desire and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

As such, there is no such thing as more or less righteous. There is no such thing as being more or less a sinner. We are either “righteous” or “sinner”. The act of disobedience committed by Adam in Eden made all men sinners. The act of obedience by Jesus Christ on Calvary made all men who believe on him righteous. The naked are sinners. The clothed are righteous. There are no levels or degrees of righteousness. Through salvation we are fully clothed, fully and wholly righteous. Subsequently, there are no levels or degrees of a sinner.

We are not half saved! We are not partially redeemed. Our salvation is complete. Our redemption is complete. We are fully clothed, not half naked. A partially clothed man, a man with one hand clinging to the world and the other hand clinging to the Kingdom, is still considered naked.

The naked mentality is the root cause of many men not walking in the fullness of God. Many men are not active in church or do not come to church because of condemnation and deprivation. Men who fall into this category think that the men who come to church and are active in church have got it all together. They are wrong—dead wrong! Though there are various reasons church-going men show up and all are not on the same spiritual development level, the one thing most of them have in common is a conviction that they need the Lord in their life. They come to church to seek his face.

Men who resist seeking the presence and will of God for their life are acting on the instinct of the sin nature received from Adam. Just as he hid himself in the Garden behind a tree with fig leaves for a covering, thinking he was out of the sight of God, men are hiding themselves today, using as a covering their man caves, duck blinds and deer stands. They are hiding themselves in their bass boats, at tailgate parties, in strip clubs, and on golf courses—covered by their modern-day fig leaves. In these guises they find temporary relief thinking they are out of the sight of God. These are all but futile efforts in an attempt to prevent exposing and revealing their nakedness.

They are hiding behind the fig leaves of their careers and jobs; the fig leaves of their hobbies; the fig leaves of their business and secular success, the fig leaves of their political success and approval ratings, the fig leaves of their Hollywood stardom and celebrity awards, the fig leaves of their athletic prowess, championship rings and MVPs; and even the fig leaves of their philanthropic good deeds, in an effort to satisfy the emptiness caused by their nakedness. In spite of their prominent public name, popularity and celebrity status, they intentionally choose to associate with friends who placate them, encouraging and convincing them that their fig leaves are adequate clothing. Let me help you brother, God sees through your fig leaves. Revelation 3:1 confirms it, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” In other words, God is saying. “I know what you have been up to. You think you have it going on. You think that you are living the life! You are dead!”

Fig leaves were not adequate for Adam in the Garden of Eden and fig leaves are still inadequate to clothe men today. God knew that Adam’s fig leaves would eventually wither and fall off. They were inadequate and did not cover everything that needed to be covered. So also are our modern-day fig leaves, they are inadequate and not sufficient to cover all that needs to be covered. They too will eventually dry up and fall off. Hobbies, sports, business success, celebrity status, political popularity, athletic prowess and good deeds eventually fade and lose their ability to fill the longings of a man—the longing for a restored relationship with God. The only covering suitable to resolve our nakedness and to fill our emptiness as men is Jesus Christ.

Jesus did not save us to condemn us. He saved us and set us free. He delivered us from condemnation. When he healed the man with the palsy, his retort was to go and sin no more. When he saved the Samaritan woman at the well he did not vilify her because of her history of shacking up. When he delivered the woman who was taken in adultery, after standing down the pious Jewish leaders who would stone her to death, his response was, “neither do I condemn you…Go and sin no more.”

On the cross at Calvary, when Jesus said, “It is finished”, he meant what he said. He meant he had fulfilled all the law established and all that the prophets had spoken regarding himself. All that was necessary to make salvation complete had been accomplished. A perfect lamb, the Lamb of God shed his blood to take away the sins of the world. It was finished indeed. Condemnation, finished! Deprivation, finished!

For a man to continue to carry the weight of the sin nature and the burden of condemnation after receiving Christ is an indication of his continuous struggle with nakedness mentality. For that man, it is not finished. He still has an ongoing debate taking place in his mind; naked one minute and clothed the next. Jesus says we are clothed, but some men are saying back to him, “I’m naked”. Jesus did not lie. He ended the debate over two thousand years ago on Calvary. It is finished.

Condemnation expects something bad to happen. Salvation expects something great to happen. Condemnation is fear and doubt. Salvation is faith and confidence. Condemnation is hell on earth. Salvation is heaven on earth.

The Indicators of the Nakedness Mentality are:

Guilt Unrighteous

Shame Dismay

Embarrassment Discouragement

Hiding Lack accountability

Cover up Low self-esteem

Fear Low affectivity

Blame Low self-efficacy

Unworthy External locus of control

No one told Adam that they were naked. He simply lost the ability to think of himself as God created him. He lost his sight; the ability to see himself as God saw him. Adam drew his own carnal conclusion that he and Eve were naked.

We too have inherited this same nature—the nakedness mentality, mindset, way of thinking. We wrestle with the ability to see ourselves as God sees us in our minds, thoughts, rationale and understanding.

The body is the house of the inner man and the soul and spirit are designers (the sources of thoughts, ideas and plans); the body executes. Man through his body has material or world-consciousness, through his soul, self-consciousness, and through his spirit, God-consciousness. A man cannot maximize the effectiveness of his life in this world walking around literally naked. He will be shunned everywhere he goes and will eventually end up incarcerated for indecent exposure. Likewise, a son of God cannot maximize the effectiveness of his calling and purpose in this life walking around spiritually naked. Though he is saved, his testimony is as a dead man, having no effect for the Kingdom of God. Salvation clothed us and gave us back our sight. Who told you that you were naked? As the old hymn proclaims:

At the cross, at the cross

Where I first saw the light;

And the burdens of my heart rolled away;

It was there by faith, I received my sight

And now I am happy all the day.

Case Study: The Emperor’s New Clothes

The classic children’s story written by Hans Christian Andersen, “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, is the perfect picture of the nakedness mindset, in the Emperor himself. In this wonderfully orchestrated book, the Emperor was so fond of new clothes he spent all his time and money in order to be well dressed. He did not care about his soldiers or his subjects. He only made public appearances just to show off his clothes.

One day two deceptive men came to his village disguised as weavers, when in all actuality they were thieves. They pretended they knew how to weave cloth of beautiful designs, patterns and colors with a very special magic cloth that could not be seen by anyone who was unfit for their office or who was very stupid. In fact, only those who were fit for their office and who were very clever could see the beautiful fabric.

The Emperor was convinced. He had to have these men make his clothes. He reasoned that if he had on these clothes, he would instantly know who in his kingdom were fit for their office and who were wise or foolish.

So he ordered large sums of money, delicate silk and the purest gold thread for the deceptive weavers who were also referred to as wicked men and rogues in the story. They kept it all for themselves.

After the work had begun, the Emperor sent trusted ministers to inspect and monitor the progress of the making of his new clothes. On two separate occasions, though the ministers saw the motions of work being performed on the looms, they saw no cloth, but did not want to admit it, because they did not want to be deemed unfit for their office or foolish. So they both gave good reports to their Emperor. Finally he was convinced to inspect himself.

Upon his inspection, he saw the looms and the busy work of the deceivers, and acknowledged in himself he did not see a thing, but did not want to be perceived as unfit for his office or foolish.

As such, he confessed he saw the beautiful clothes and was now ready to adorn them and make a public appearance. As he made his processional through the village, everyone remarked how beautiful the clothes were because no one wanted to be perceived as unfit for their office or foolish.

However, when he passed by a little child, she said to her father, “but the Emperor has nothing on at all.” The father said, “The child tells the truth.” The word spread throughout and they all said, “The Emperor has nothing on at all.” The Emperor felt very silly because he knew the people were right but he thought, “The procession has started and it must go on now!”

This classic children’s story describes the spiritual state of many men today. Like the Emperor, they are consumed with the vanities and fantasies of their flesh. They spend most of their time planning and pursuing their carnal creations, surrounding themselves with associates who will not tell them the truth—they are naked. They are easily deceived by wicked men and rogues who feed their vanity. When they are exposed to the truth, they continue walking in their naked ways.

Just like the child in the story who told the truth and that truth was confirmed by its father, a Child has come to reveal the truth to us, that without Him we are naked. His Father has confirmed it—without Him we are naked!

Chapter 3

The Need for Covering

Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Adam’s covering (Genesis 3:7) was aprons made of fig leaves (Heb. Chagorah); something with which to be gird about, as a belt or girdle. This man-made apron of leaves was inadequate to cover their nakedness. The fig leaves were temporary and incomplete. They would eventually become withered, shrink, dry out and die. The fig leaves did not adequately cover their nakedness, nor did it provide the protection they needed.

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

God made Adam and Eve coats of skins from an animal believed to be a lamb. The lamb had to die. The lambs’ blood was shed. The covering, clothing of Adam and Eve cost a lamb its life. The lamb was sacrificed by God to cover their nakedness in order for them to be righteous and unashamed.

God’s solution for clothing was more than adequate to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve. The coats of skin covered them

from front to back while also providing warmth, protection, comfort and durability.

God demonstrated to Adam what was necessary for him to stay in right standing (covered) with him and how to sustain it. As durable as the lamb’s skin covering was, it was not adequate long term, especially considering the generations of Adam’s seed to come who would inherit his fallen, naked condition. The original covering would become worn and tattered requiring a new covering. Adam would have to sacrifice another lamb to remain clothed and to provide clothing for Eve and his family. For generations to come, animal sacrifices would be essential to atoning for the sins of mankind.

 God initiated sacrifices to cover nakedness

 God chose a perfect lamb without defects or flaws

 God took note that the lamb was innocent and its precious blood was shed

 God set the precedent for the prerequisites for animal sacrifices

This redemptive act of God to reconcile Adam to himself would become the precedent to what would become necessary to reconcile all mankind. God chose and sacrificed perfect lambs to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness (sin). Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God became our sacrifice to cover the nakedness (sins) of the world. We are covered, clothed with Christ. Putting on Christ is a daily process that should take place first thing in the morning—every morning. Putting on Christ is a renewing of the mind, a constant awareness of our clothed condition. A man in his right mind would never leave home naked. A man of God should never leave home spiritually naked.

Discovering the Human Condition of Nakedness

Genesis 3:10-11a And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, who told thee that thou wast naked?

Adam’s response to the question: “Who told you that you were naked?”

 I heard thy voice—Acknowledgement of God

 I was afraid—Fear discovered

 I was naked—Shame discovered

 I hid myself—Guilt discovered

All these human conditions were formally covered and now have become discovered (to uncover; to become naked).

Before Sin After Sin

Clothed Naked

Courageous Afraid

Confident Ashamed

Innocence Guilt

The Origin of Doubt

A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8

The first question in the bible was raised by the serpent. The purpose of the question was to establish doubt regarding the truth, credibility and authenticity of the Word of God which he had spoken. Genesis 3:1b Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

His reply to Eve’s affirmative response was a direct attack on the truth. “You shall not surely die!” was the serpent’s way of saying, “God has told you a lie.” One of the consequences of our depraved condition is we still have the propensity to doubt the truth of God. We still question the credibility and authenticity of God’s word.