The flaming sword in the Garden of Eden, keeping disobedient carnally-minded individuals from attaining eternal life, provides a spiritual analogy. God will not tolerate a divided kingdom. One sharp edge of the blade is analogous to the inability of keeping God's law without having God's spirit. The other sharp edge is analogous to God not giving His Spirit to anyone who will not obey Him (Acts 5:32). This dilemma is solved by Christ's sacrifice, justifying us from our past sins, as well as setting an example of how to live. Our part is to follow this example, coming to the measure of Christ, exercising God's spirit to overcoming our carnality.