Amenemope taught that “riches take themselves wings and fly away”—that all things earthly are evanescent. [1] Be not discouraged by discovery you are human. [2]
Poverty was a part of the ritual of the mortification of the flesh which, unfortunately, became incorporated into the writings and teachings of many religions, notably Christianity. [3]
One of the difficulties of an Adjuster is unending conflict between the high purposes of a great mind antagonized by the urge of a primitive inheritance. [4] The flesh, the inherent nature derived from the animal-origin races, does not naturally bear the fruits of the divine Spirit. [5] It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh and all that pertains thereto is of little profit. [6] Jesus faith was so real and all-encompassing that it absolutely swept away any spiritual doubts and effectively destroyed every conflicting desire. [7] Do not to put our trust in the uncertainties of the flesh nor in the frailties of man’s defense against the trials and testing which lie ahead of us. [8] For Jesus the greatest meat was doing the will of God and to accomplish His Work. [9]
All believers pass through a conflict traversing from the life as it is lived in the flesh to the higher life as it is lived in the spirit. [10] Avoid wasteful and weakening conflicts of the flesh. [11] The flesh, the inherent nature derived from the animal-origin races, does not naturally bear the fruits of the divine Spirit. [12]
Evolutionary mortals inhabiting normal worlds of spiritual progress do not experience the acute conflicts between the spirit and the flesh which characterize the present-day Urantia races. [13]
In all the superb training of mind and spirit we are forever free from the handicaps of mortal flesh. No longer must we constantly referee the conflicting contentions of our divergent spiritual and material natures. [14] Spirit is easy victor over flesh. [15] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. [16]
In Buddhism, in Nirvana, there is a freedom from desires of mortal life. [17] Gautama had not the intention to attempt to destroy all effort, desire, and affection but to picture futility of pinning all hope on temporal goals. [18]
Ideal marriage must be founded on something more stable than the fluctuations of sentiment and the fickleness of mere sex attraction; it must be based on genuine and mutual personal devotion. [19] Greatest passions are lust, anger, pride, deceit and greed. [20] Inherited urges cannot be altogether modified. [21]
The normal urges of animal beings and the natural appetites and impulses of the physical nature are not in conflict with even the highest spiritual attainment except in the minds of ignorant, mistaught, or unfortunately overconscientious persons. [22] Jesus taught his apostles that the sensual urges of mankind are not suppressed by either religious rebuke or legal prohibitions. [23] You know that men are all too often led into temptation by the urge of their own selfishness and by the impulses of their animal natures. [24] We must recognize temptation for exactly what it is. [25] Sensual gratifications alone do not confer happiness. [26]
In general, when weak and dissolute mortals are supposed to be under the influence of devils and demons, they are merely being dominated by their own inherent and debased tendencies, being led away by their own natural propensities. The devil has been given a great deal of credit for evil which does not belong to him. [27]
See also: UB 34:7.