Strong
In Spirit
In today's world most of us are fighting everyday to stay on top of things. Lack of money, time, and patience. Everything is moving so fast that people just can't keep up. For the average person it is like taking one step forward and two steps back. But, it does not need to be this way if you become more strong in spirit. First off we need to understand what and who we are fighting against. In these end times we are not just fighting the competition, but we are fighting against unknown spirits in high places. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12), We are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers of the unseen world. Mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.
First off we need to know who is in control of this world and how he works against us. "It is Satan of course." Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Ephesians 2:2). Following the crowds and were just like all the others, full of sin and obeying Satan, the "prince of the power of the air." He is at work right now in the hearts of those who are against the Lord. Not only those against God, but the lost and worldly also.
How did we become like this? Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:3). Born into the flesh, our lives expressing the evil within us, following the flesh and wicked thoughts of the mind. You must let the good spirit (the Holy Spirit), take over and have control over the flesh. In other words, we need to lose the low life (worldly) part of us, and trade it in for the high life (spirit) part of us. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:39). Life here is your soul or self. Your security should be in the doctrine, not in the world. Are you priorities of God or of the world?
Does this apply to the professing Christian? It sure does... The Apostle Paul would tells us that a time would come when even the professing Christian would be in danger. It is called the "Great Apostasy." There will be a "Great Falling Away" in the end time before the return of Anti-Christ, the son of perdition. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The evil is present right now! For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7). We are speaking of Satan here. The works of Satan are already going on. That war in heaven is already taking place till Michael cast Satan out of heaven. (Revelation 12:7-9). "Satan is not here on earth yet, but his evil spirit is!"
So, what happened to the professing Christian, the lost, the unlearned, and the deceived? They did not receive or accept the truth of God's Word. And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Satan will completely fool those who refused the truth of the Word that they might be saved. Those who follow Satan or the ways of the world will perish. Once saved always saved? I don't think so! Not only that, but because of this lack of strong spirit, God lets them stay the way they are. In confusion! And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. (2 Thessalonians 2:11). If you want to be ignorant of God's Word and follow lies, deception, and traditions of men; God will send you strong delusion to believe those lies. He will close your eyes to the truth. (Isaiah 29:10), Look at how people are so comfortable with their teachings. Comfortable with their lack spirit.
With that being said, how do we defeat this lack of spirit? "Don't let Satan have power over you." Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (John 14:30). Jesus told the disciples that the ruler of this world (Satan), approaches, but he has no power over Him. Christ broke the power of death which is Satan, so he has no power over you either. (2 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 2:14).
How can we walk in the spirit? We need to give into the spirit of God, not the flesh and ways of the world. Paul would best explain it in the book of Galatians. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16). Listen to the Holy Spirit, then you will not want to follow the lust of the flesh. (Romans 6:12). For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17). Our flesh always wants to do wrong and what is the opposite or against the Holy Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit wants to do what is right and what is the opposite or against the flesh. (Romans 7:15, 7:23). If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25). If we claim to live in the Spirit, let us try our best to follow the spirit in every way.
The spiritual war is on, so you need to prepare yourself for battle. How? Put on the Gospel Armor of God! Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11). Put on all God's armor (Ephesians 6:13-17), to stand against all strategies and tricks of Satan. Study the truth of God's Word, not man's word and traditions, and you will become strong in spirit.
Keep The Faith,Barton