Indwelling Spirit of God Promotes Obedience

How to Walk in the Spirit

Ken

“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16 KJV). If we are fulfilling the lust of the flesh, then we are NOT walking in the Spirit. What does it mean to “fulfil the lust [Greek, epithumia, desires, longings] of the flesh” (5:16)? To pursue the desires and longings of the flesh is to “fulfill the lust of the flesh” (5:16). There is no mystery about walking in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is simply conducting ourselves consistent with the supreme heart choice of continually choosing Christ Jesus. The goal we seek is also the means to attain it. This is a virtuous cycle of “I sought the LORD, because He sought me first, so I seek Him, because He continually chooses me to be conformed to the image of His Son.” This virtuous cycle is walking in the Spirit. A scriptural example. The Holy Spirit is “given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32), and God’s Spirit inspires us “to walk in [His] statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Think on these things.  

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). Whenever we are actively seeking God’s Kingdom first, then we are walking in the Spirit. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Since we cannot serve or seek two masters at the same time, then either we will walk in the Spirit or we will fulfill the lust of the flesh. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon [Greek, mammōnas, riches, wealth]” (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). 

How can anyone change their mind and their heart about the desirability of the Spirit and not the flesh to be the ultimate goal of their existence? Quite simply, 

Allow the Holy Spirit to Persuade and Teach You: 

First, crucifying the flesh spiritually is walking in the Spirit. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Galatians 5:24). 

Second, the Spirit of God alone is capable of changing your heart and mind about sin (what is wrong), righteousness (what is right), and judgment (what God must judge, if we do not judge ourselves). “7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. 8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:7-11). 

Third, though God rightly holds you responsible for obeying  Him, since He created you with the capacity for obedience, we thoughtfully realize we will never obey Him without His Spirit working in us “to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). 

Fourth, when we do repent, for which we have no excuse for resisting Him, it is God granting us repentance. “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2Timothy 2:25). 

Fifth, when we do believe, for which we have no good reason for not trusting Him, it is God’s gracious gift of faith, which makes our salvation possible. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

Sixth, God has always blessed us with obedience, when we wholeheartedly sought Him. “With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:10).

Seventh, God’s Spirit, though always present among His people has been especially covenanted to dwell within the individual members of His Church, who have been grafted into the New Covenant promised to Israel. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). 

Father, cause us not to be in confusion about walking in the Spirit. Help us to realize and claim our promised condition of abiding in truth, love, and obedience. Grant us new understanding of You that we would not go to sleep in traditions. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

I’ve Got Your Back

Ken

“But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isaiah 52:12 NIV). The KJV translates “rear guard” as “rereward.” Simply put, God says, “I’ve got your back.” Limited as we are, we can use all the help of an Unlimited God. Too big of a promise? No, but we may lack imagination in its application. The picture of God as a watchmaker, winding us up and stepping back out of the way, not intervening is false. Not only does He hold us together — “He is before all things, and by Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17) — but, He dwells within us by His Spirit to inspire us to obey Him. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). We do not have eyes in the back of our head, neither do we have the thought or imagination to meditate and anticipate all possible circumstances. But, the Almighty can do that for us. The question is “Are we all out for Him?” “Them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed [Hebrew, qâlal, be of little account]” (1Samuel 2:30). Father, may we be of great account to You, for we esteem You of greater worth than all our necessary food. Thank You for watching over us. May we look after Your name in this world, as of the greatest importance. Glorify Your name. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Praise From an Upright Heart for God’s Judgments (Psalm 119:7)

Ken

“I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:7 KJV). Praise pours from an upright heart, when learning of God’s judgments. Even without the benefit of the NT Indwelling Holy Spirit, the Old Covenant Psalmist would praise God for His commands and judgments, instead of protesting God’s laws as chains and shackles. It has always been an issue of the heart, more than of our head or understanding. When we take pride in our intellect to the exclusion of our devotion to God, then we fall into the same trap as Lucifer, and need to seek God’s help for deliverance. “13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit” (Isaiah 14:13-15). Father, grant us Your help to avoid Lucifer’s mistake. Guard our heart. Cause Your Spirit’s influence to be felt not just within ourselves but in those around us, for good. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Why No Revival?

Ken

God is not to be blamed for the lack of revival in the churches. Reviving the same failed ideas does not require the moving of the Holy Spirit. Pulpit preaching seeking to inspire the congregation to recreate past ideas, only on a larger scale, and by getting out of our comfort zone, simply bewilders the hearers. Before the Holy Spirit will grant the miraculous, He requires a better comprehension of Him and what He is about to do. How does the Holy Spirit act? He moves upon us to cause us to obey Him without forcing us. “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27 KJV). What does the Holy Spirit expects of us? He is both given to those who obey Him, as well as to cause us to obey Him. “And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Miracles will be wasted on the Church, if God’s people have not learned the fundamentals of Spirit inspired obedience. If we still have reservations about why we can’t obey, then that must be removed before God’s Spirit will act. “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22). LORD, we need revival in the Church, but we need to address the deficiencies in our understanding before we can receive the outpouring of Your Spirit. Grant to us the new wineskins of better understanding that we may have the appropriate vessel for the filling of Your Spirit. Transform Your Church. Even so, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Would We Rather Have Miracles Than Obedience?

Ken

Given the choice between a miracle and obedience, would we choose obedience? Remember, a “wicked generation; it looks for a sign” (Luke 11:29 NET). Miracles are the supernatural setting aside of the natural, while obedience is simply doing as we were told. If humanity’s original relationship with Yahweh was a communion between creature and Creator, then obedience is God’s expected normal for humanity. Despite humanity’s dismal record of disobedience, the “gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38 KJV) was intended to further establish loving obedience as our proper relationship to God. After all, humanity was never created to live apart from God, but to walk with Him. “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth” (Psalm 8:9). May we seek Thee in loving obedience as our highest good, and may our desire for Thee be greater than miracles. Do return quickly, and accomplish all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen and amen. 

Secret of Our Obedience

Ken

The Spirit of God is the secret of our obedience. “And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27 KJV). In the action movie, “Shoot to Kill” (1988), Sidney Poitier portrays an FBI agent aided by an outdoorsman, Tom Berenger, who both pursue a murderous, diamond thief in the Pacific Northwest. At one point, Berenger (up above) has instructed Poitier stuck (down below) to fasten himself to a rope to assist him climbing up a crevice. Poitier fastens the rope around his waist and holds open his hands, informing Berenger, “Ready!” Berenger, in anger and frustration shouts, “You’ve got to climb, too! I’m not going to do all the work!” Crudely, this illustrates the importance of the Holy Spirit’s assistance and empowerment, while emphasizing our need of cooperation. He is working obedience in us. We understand our necessity to obey, but concede our pathetic tendency not to conform. To be sure, God has given us the capacity for obedience, but we are prone not to comply. The reception of God’s Spirit (Acts 2:38) causes us to keep His commandments, while not forcing us. God remains sovereign, yet we still possess free will. Priceless! Or, as Jesus put it, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17).