RLM TV FOCUS STUDY
THE LION & THE LAMB WITHIN
The Transformation of the Nefesh by the Government of Ruach
A Sod ha-Sod Study in the Royal Priesthood of the New Covenant
Primary Scriptures: Romans 12:1–2 • Hebrews 4:12 • 1 Corinthians 15:45–49 • Revelation 5:5–6 • John 1:29 • 1 Peter 1:18–19 • Ephesians 5:26–27 • Galatians 5:16–25
THE MYSTERY: THE LION GOVERNS; THE LAMB IS PRESENTED
There is a profound mystery concealed within the biblical revelation of Jesus Christ:
He is revealed as both Lion and Lamb.
“Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah…”
— Revelation 5:5
Yet when John turns to behold this Lion, he sees:
“a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.”
— Revelation 5:6
Lion and Lamb are not competing revelations.
They disclose two dimensions of the victory of Christ.
The Lion reveals kingship, authority, government, conquest and royal dominion.
The Lamb reveals purity, surrender, obedience, sacrifice and spotless consecration.
This gives the royal priesthood a powerful pattern for inward transformation:
The government of Christ must rule the soul until the soul increasingly reflects the Lamb.
The Lion governs.
The Lamb manifests.
The Ruach rules.
The nefesh yields.
And the human life becomes an altar upon which everything contrary to Christ is progressively surrendered to God.
I. THE NEFESH: THE ANIMAL SOUL
Genesis 2:7 declares that Adam became a nefesh chayyah — a living soul/creature.
The biblical word nefesh possesses an earthy dimension. Scripture can use nefesh language for living creatures as well as human life.
This becomes important when Paul contrasts the two Adams:
“The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:45
The first Adam is associated with the psychikos order—the natural or soulish man.
The Last Adam is associated with the pneumatikos order—the spiritual man.
Therefore the mystery of Christian formation is not merely:
bad behavior → good behavior.
It reaches deeper:
the natural life comes under the government of the Spirit.
Appetite comes under Ruach.
Emotion comes under Ruach.
Desire comes under Ruach.
Imagination comes under Ruach.
Speech comes under Ruach.
Reaction comes under Ruach.
Ambition comes under Ruach.
The entire nefesh learns another government.
II. THE WILDERNESS ZOO WITHIN
Scripture repeatedly employs animals as pictures of characteristics found in human beings.
The serpent deceives.
The wolf devours.
The fox operates cunningly.
The goat can picture stubborn separation.
The swine tramples what is precious.
The roaring beast seeks something to consume.
The creeping thing remains earthbound.
These images give us a powerful spiritual vocabulary.
The ungoverned soul can become like an inward wilderness filled with competing appetites.
One moment the nefesh behaves like a lion demanding domination.
Another moment like a serpent manipulating circumstances.
Another like a goat refusing correction.
Another like a wolf devouring another person through words.
Another like a frightened animal running from obedience.
Another like a creeping thing unable to lift its gaze beyond earthly desire.
The point is not that the human soul is intrinsically demonic.
The point is that fallen desires can become beastlike when they refuse the government of God.
The answer is therefore not hatred of the soul.
The answer is sanctification of the soul.
III. 666 AND THE BEAST WITHOUT DIVINE GOVERNMENT
Revelation 13:18 associates 666 with the number of the beast and the number of man.
Whatever additional dimensions belong to that prophetic symbol, it provides a sobering picture:
humanity severed from divine government becomes beastlike.
The great battle is therefore not against the existence of personality.
God does not intend to erase personality.
He intends to sanctify it.
Your emotions are not the enemy.
Your emotions require government.
Your desires are not to become nonexistent.
They require purification.
Your imagination is not to be annihilated.
It must become consecrated.
Your will is not meant to disappear.
It must learn agreement with God.
Salvation does not produce a personality-less human being.
It produces a human being increasingly governed by the Spirit of God.
IV. THE SPOTLESS NEFESH OF JESUS
Now behold Jesus.
Peter describes Him as:
“a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
— 1 Peter 1:19
John announces:
“Behold, the Lamb of God…”
Jesus possesses genuine human life, yet His humanity is perfectly yielded to the Father.
His appetites do not govern Him.
His emotions do not overthrow divine obedience.
His suffering does not transform Him into hatred.
His rejection does not produce rebellion.
His authority does not become selfish domination.
His popularity does not intoxicate Him.
His abandonment does not make Him abandon the Father.
His nefesh is not autonomous.
It is perfectly consecrated.
Gethsemane reveals this magnificently:
“Not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Here is spotless humanity.
Not the absence of human will—
but human will perfectly yielded to divine will.
That is Lamb nature.
V. FROM RAM → SHEEP → LAMB
We may use the sacrificial imagery as a practical picture of progressive formation:
RAM — STRENGTH STILL INSISTING UPON ITSELF
The ram possesses strength.
Spiritually, this can picture the believer whose natural strength remains prominent.
“I will.”
“I know.”
“I deserve.”
“I must defend myself.”
“I must win.”
“I must be recognized.”
There may already be genuine faith, gifting and spiritual experience, yet considerable self-government remains.
The horns are still prominent.
The Ruach begins touching the horns.
SHEEP — LEARNING THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE
Jesus says:
“My sheep hear My voice.”
The sheep represents another stage of formation:
teachability.
The Christian begins learning:
“I do not have to follow every emotion.”
“I do not have to obey every appetite.”
“I do not have to answer every accusation.”
“I do not have to express every thought.”
“I do not have to win every argument.”
“I can be led.”
This is enormous spiritual progress.
The soul begins developing responsiveness to the Shepherd.
LAMB — CONSECRATED INNOCENCE
The lamb takes the mystery deeper.
The mature goal is not merely being controllable.
It is becoming increasingly pure in motive, harmless in expression, surrendered in will and transparent before God.
This is why the Lamb is such a profound image of Christ.
The Lamb possesses power without corruption.
Authority without cruelty.
Purity without weakness.
Surrender without defeat.
Gentleness without compromise.
The Lamb is not powerless.
Revelation’s Lamb possesses seven horns.
Perfect power and perfect surrender coexist in Christ.
VI. THE LION OF JUDAH AND THE GOVERNMENT OF RUACH
How does our unruly inward wilderness become Lamb-like?
Not principally through human willpower.
Through the government of Christ.
The Lion must enter the wilderness.
The authority of the risen Christ confronts everything attempting to rule the inner person independently of God.
When anger demands the throne:
the Lion roars.
When lust demands the throne:
the Lion roars.
When pride demands the throne:
the Lion roars.
When fear demands the throne:
the Lion roars.
When resentment demands the throne:
the Lion roars.
When vanity demands the throne:
the Lion roars.
When self-preservation refuses obedience:
the Lion roars.
Yet the Lion’s purpose is not to destroy the person.
His government liberates the person from false masters.
The fire of God consumes what cannot survive His holiness while purifying what belongs to Him.
Thus:
THE LION’S FIRE PRODUCES THE LAMB’S CHARACTER.
Royal authority produces priestly purity.
Government produces consecration.
Ruach governs nefesh.
And the soul progressively becomes an instrument through which Christ can manifest.
VII. THE DAILY ALTAR OF ROMANS 12
Paul makes the practical application unmistakable:
“present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God…”
— Romans 12:1
Notice the paradox:
living sacrifice.
The New Covenant altar is therefore not merely an event in the distant past.
Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice is complete and unrepeatable.
But because we belong to Him, our response becomes continuing consecration.
We do not sacrifice ourselves for atonement.
Jesus accomplished atonement.
We present ourselves because of atonement.
That distinction protects the entire revelation.
The altar does not purchase salvation.
The altar is the response of someone already claimed by mercy.
Paul therefore immediately continues:
“be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Sacrifice and transformation meet.
VIII. WHAT DO I ACTUALLY PUT ON THE ALTAR?
This revelation must become practical.
Every morning ask:
WHAT IN MY NEFESH IS ASKING TO RULE ME TODAY?
Perhaps it is:
anger,
sexual appetite,
food,
fear,
approval,
money,
comfort,
recognition,
resentment,
control,
argument,
entertainment,
self-pity,
jealousy,
impatience,
fantasy,
comparison,
or the desperate need to be understood.
Do not merely condemn the feeling.
Present it.
“Father, this desire exists within my nefesh, but it is not my god.”
That is priesthood.
IX. THE SWORD SEPARATING NEFESH AND RUACH
Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God penetrating even to the division of soul and spirit.
This gives the believer a sacred diagnostic question:
“IS THIS ARISING FROM RUACH OR NEFESH?”
Before speaking:
Ruach or nefesh?
Before posting:
Ruach or nefesh?
Before purchasing:
Ruach or nefesh?
Before confronting:
Ruach or nefesh?
Before responding emotionally:
Ruach or nefesh?
Before entering a relationship:
Ruach or nefesh?
Before making a major decision:
Ruach or nefesh?
This simple question can revolutionize a person’s life.
The mature believer develops inward discernment before outward action.
X. SPOTS AND WRINKLES
Ephesians 5 speaks of Christ preparing a glorious church:
“not having spot, or wrinkle…”
We can use these two images devotionally.
A SPOT
A spot is contamination.
Something foreign has attached itself to the garment.
Spiritually:
resentment,
envy,
dishonesty,
hidden lust,
manipulation,
bitterness,
greed,
vanity.
These require cleansing.
A WRINKLE
A wrinkle is distortion.
The material remains present, but it is no longer resting according to its intended form.
Spiritually this can picture patterns formed through years of self-protection, fear, pride or unhealthy habits.
The Spirit does not merely address obvious outward sins.
He reaches the creases of personality.
He straightens what pain twisted.
He softens what pride hardened.
He cleanses what appetite stained.
He renews what repetition deformed.
XI. THE FRUIT OF RUACH APPEARS IN NEFESH
How do we know transformation is actually happening?
Not merely because someone experiences supernatural manifestations.
Paul gives remarkably practical evidence:
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control.
Notice where these become visible.
In personality.
In relationships.
In reactions.
In speech.
In choices.
In desires.
In the nefesh.
Therefore the fruit of the Spirit is evidence that the government of Ruach is successfully penetrating the soul.
RUACH BECOMES VISIBLE THROUGH A TRANSFORMED NEFESH.
XII. THE DAILY LAMB PROTOCOL
Every member of the royal priesthood can practice this.
MORNING — PRESENT
Before beginning the day:
“Father, I present my whole person to You as a living sacrifice.”
Give Him your appetites.
Give Him your plans.
Give Him your emotions.
Give Him your expectations.
Give Him your reputation.
Give Him your reactions before anyone has the opportunity to provoke them.
MIDDAY — DISCERN
When emotional pressure appears, ask:
“What is attempting to govern me right now?”
Do not immediately obey the strongest internal voice.
Wait.
Discern.
Let the Sword divide.
THE MOMENT OF TEMPTATION — YIELD
Say:
“My nefesh is not my god. Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Then choose the action consistent with love, holiness, truth and obedience.
CONFLICT — BECOME THE LAMB
Ask:
“What would spotless Lamb nature look like here?”
Not weakness.
Not passivity.
Not avoiding necessary truth.
But truth without venom.
Authority without ego.
Correction without cruelty.
Strength without hatred.
EVENING — INSPECT THE SACRIFICE
Before sleep ask:
Where did nefesh govern today?
Where did Ruach govern?
Where did I react instead of respond?
Where did Lamb nature appear?
Where is another spot being revealed?
Where is another wrinkle being straightened?
Then receive mercy and continue tomorrow.
Transformation is a walk.
XIII. THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
This is why Peter calls God’s people:
“a royal priesthood.”
Royal.
Priestly.
Lion.
Lamb.
Kingship and sacrifice meet within the New Covenant people.
We exercise authority first by refusing to remain enslaved to our own disordered appetites.
We become priests by continually presenting our lives to God.
The throne governs the altar.
The altar purifies the vessel.
The vessel carries the river.
The river touches creation.
Therefore:
THRONE → RUACH → HUMAN SPIRIT → NEFESH → BODY → WORLD.
When divine government reaches the soul, transformation becomes visible in ordinary life.
XIV. THE HIGHEST SIGN OF MATURITY
The highest spiritual maturity is not simply how powerfully someone can roar.
It is whether tremendous spiritual strength can coexist with Lamb-like purity.
Can you possess authority without becoming arrogant?
Can you possess revelation without despising others?
Can you possess power without controlling people?
Can you be misunderstood without becoming poisonous?
Can you correct without hatred?
Can you suffer without surrendering love?
Can you prosper without worshiping prosperity?
Can you possess strength while remaining yielded?
Then Lion and Lamb are appearing together.
This is the beauty of Christ.
XV. THE HEAVENLY ACADEMY
The Heavenly Academy is operating every day.
Your classroom may be traffic.
Your classroom may be marriage.
Your classroom may be ministry.
Your classroom may be criticism.
Your classroom may be money.
Your classroom may be temptation.
Your classroom may be disappointment.
Your classroom may be success.
Every circumstance asks the same question:
WHO WILL GOVERN THE NEFESH?
The old reaction?
Or the Spirit of Christ?
Every successful surrender is another lesson completed.
Every obedient response strengthens a holy pattern.
Every refusal of bitterness removes another spot.
Every victory over selfish appetite straightens another wrinkle.
Every act of obedience trains the soul to follow the Shepherd.
The classroom becomes the altar.
The altar becomes transformation.
Transformation becomes manifestation.
XVI. RUACH ISRAEL: WALK THIS OUT BY FAITH
Ruach Israel, do not merely admire the Spotless Lamb.
Follow Him.
Do not merely celebrate the Lion.
Submit to His government.
Do not merely study the altar.
Present yourself upon it.
Do not merely identify the beastly impulses of fallen humanity.
Refuse their government.
Do not hate your nefesh.
Consecrate it.
Do not destroy personality.
Sanctify it.
Do not suppress emotion into numbness.
Bring emotion beneath truth.
Do not become less human.
BECOME HUMAN ACCORDING TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST.
The goal is not an empty soul.
The goal is a Spirit-governed soul.
A cleansed imagination.
A disciplined appetite.
A peaceful emotional life.
A surrendered will.
A truthful tongue.
A merciful heart.
A pure motive.
A teachable disposition.
A holy nefesh increasingly resembling the Lamb.
XVII. THE GREAT TRANSFORMATION
Here is the mystery:
The Lion conquers the wilderness so that the Lamb may appear.
The wild creature becomes shepherded.
The rebellious becomes yielded.
The contaminated becomes cleansed.
The distorted becomes renewed.
The impulsive becomes discerning.
The violent becomes gentle.
The proud becomes teachable.
The self-governed becomes Spirit-governed.
The nefesh is progressively brought beneath the government of Ruach.
And Christ becomes increasingly visible through the whole person.
This is transformation.
This is sanctification.
This is royal priesthood.
This is the living sacrifice.
This is the inward sacrificial mystery of the New Covenant.
DECLARATION OF THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
I belong to Jesus Christ.
My nefesh is not my god.
My appetites are not my lord.
My emotions are not my king.
My desires do not possess the throne.
My past does not possess the throne.
My wounds do not possess the throne.
My ego does not possess the throne.
Jesus Christ is Lord.
I present my whole person to God as a living sacrifice.
Let the Word divide soul and spirit.
Let the Spirit expose every false government.
Let the Lion of Judah rule every wilderness within me.
Let every rebellious appetite surrender.
Let every spot be cleansed.
Let every wrinkle be straightened.
Let my will become yielded.
Let my motives become pure.
Let my emotions become holy servants rather than masters.
Let my mind be renewed.
Let my nefesh learn the Shepherd’s voice.
Let the fruit of the Spirit become visible through my personality.
I receive the grace to walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I will not merely roar like a lion.
I will walk like the Lamb.
Power with purity.
Authority with surrender.
Truth with love.
Strength with gentleness.
Government with holiness.
By the grace of Jesus Christ, let my whole life become an acceptable offering before God.
The Lion governs.
The Lamb appears.
Ruach rules.
Nefesh yields.
Christ is manifested.
Amen.
RLM TV — RED LETTER MINISTRIES
THE LION & THE LAMB WITHIN
The Transformation of the Nefesh by the Government of Ruach
Key Meditation:
“The Lion of Judah governs the nefesh by Ruach until the character of the Spotless Lamb appears through the whole person.”
Written in the Sacred Flames of Divine Love,
Apostle Brandon Barthrop
RLM TV – Red Letter Ministries
