The Internal and External States                       Humans

Key Scriptures:

• Acts 17:28 – “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”

• Colossians 1:16–17 – “For by Him all things were created… and in Him all things hold together.”

• 1 Samuel 16:7 – “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Introduction:

Every human being lives in two realities simultaneously:

The internal state and the external state.

Understanding these two states is critical to understanding not only who we are, but also how God sustains us and how the enemy attacks us.

>>Look at Lesson 2 - understand these 2 states & how their held together<<

Lesson 1:

The 2 states at which man is vulnerable

The External State:

What We See

The external state is the visible side of our existence.

It is our body,
our actions,
our environment.

It’s what people observe about us—the things we do, the words we say, the way we appear.

• It changes constantly: bodies age, circumstances shift, environments evolve.
• It is fragile: sickness, injury, or disaster can alter it in an instant.

We often judge ourselves and others primarily by the external state.

But Scripture reminds us that while man looks at outward appearances,

God looks deeper (1 Samuel 16:7).

The Internal State:

What God Sees

The internal state is our hidden world.

It is our thoughts, desires, emotions, and motives.

It is the seat of conscience, the core of our being—the “heart” the Bible so often speaks about.

• It is unseen by human eyes, but fully known to God.
• It is where faith, fear, love, anger, hope, and temptation reside.
• It is the primary battleground of spiritual warfare.

Your internal state defines the “real you.”

Outwardly, you may look successful, religious, or strong, but inwardly you may be weak, compromised, or in turmoil.

Why Both States Matter

These two states—internal and external—are not separate entities. They are deeply connected.

• What is planted in the internal state eventually shapes the external.

• “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

• What happens in the external state often influences the internal. Pain, loss, or success can affect our thoughts and emotions.

Here is a great example of Knowledge overlooked,
Unless you decide to read the Bible and keep notes.
As to what stands out for you.

But here is the miracle: both are sustained by God. Paul says:

“For in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

God holds your inner life and your outer life together. Without Him, coherence would dissolve into chaos.

Think about this statement above and write down (how and why) this holds true?

The Enemy’s Target

The enemy knows this connection. He attacks the internal state first,

because if he can corrupt your inner world,

your outer world will eventually follow.

He plants thoughts.
He manipulates emotions.
He distorts and breeds desires.

Once the internal state bends,
The external state will soon manifest his agenda.

That’s why Scripture emphasizes renewing the mind (Romans 12:2) and guarding the heart (Proverbs 4:23).

FOR-> Whoever controls the internal state controls the person.

Application Points:

1. Reflection: Where is your internal state right now? Is it aligned with God, or filled with conflict?
2. Action: Begin journaling thoughts and emotions this week. Ask: “Does this reflect Christ or the flesh?”
3. Prayer: Daily ask God to align your internal state with His Spirit so your external state reflects His glory.

Closing Thought:

You are more than what people see.

The “real you” lives in the hidden heart.

And it is there—your internal state,

Where God desires to dwell, sustain, and transform you

into what he originally created you for.

For a Better Understanding of the Negative Forces: Click Here

Take This:

Take this and read it several times.
Until you know and understand all of this to be true.
Only then will you be able to help those around you.