STRENGTHEN YOUR SPIRIT MAN
"…put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-23
If the people of God would take the necessary time to build up their spirit man, there would be greater manifestations of God's presence in the earth realm. The new man this scripture is referring to is a spirit man. We are born again of the Spirit. The outward man is perishing, but the inward man should be renewed day by day. 1 Peter 2:2 reads, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." We must train our new man to grow into the image and likeness of God. Being strong in the Lord and the power of His might (see Ephesians 6:10) is not referring to the old man, but the new man. God gives us a brand-new spirit at the new birth. We may have a war going on inside of us however, because the flesh still has old ways, but remember that at the new birth we are newborn babes who must grow; and newborns only get stronger as they are fed and trained.
It's time to focus on building up the new man; that's who God speaks to. Paul said in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me…" The Body of Christ needs to become more aware of the spirit/supernatural realm -- that's where God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings (see Ephesians 1:3). He raised us up (the new man) to sit in heavenly places. It's imperative that we develop our new self. God is telling the new man to be strong. We see too much of the natural and not enough of the spiritual because we are not operating in the new man; so the flesh still has old ways that need to be crucified.
Start meditating on who you really are – a spiritual being. The mind must be renewed. Once you understand and accept that, there will be things you won't do or say anymore. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh." (2 Cor 10:3) There is a war going on, but it's not in the flesh or with natural weapons; but with spiritual weapons. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…" (2 Corinthians 10:4) These spiritual weapons are designed for the new man to defeat the enemy. You begin to operate in that truth when you put on your armor and put your weapons into action. A man who goes to battle does not leave his armor hanging up at home. You prove your weapons even before going out to battle.
That light affliction you are going through is to test you and help train your mind to think like Christ. Whether you want to be or not, you are on the battlefield; but you are equipped to handle it. We build up and strengthen our spirit man when we exercise our weapons; Righteousness, Truth, Faith, etc. Learn how to pray. True prayers shift the atmosphere and bring heaven on earth. The key is understanding the reality of the spiritual realm and that demons, principalities and devils are out to destroy you. Go to bed with your armor on. Keep your spirit man strong. The man on the inside is the one God is going to speak to and use for what He is wanting to do in your life.
Forget the past and walk in your new man. Don't let the enemy trick you and cause you to question your salvation. Watch what and who you allow to come into your life. Don't just speak everything you see, but instead, start making confessions over your life that will change your situations in your favor. Quit having worldly conversations, and start using the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God).
We are all going to be tried and tested. Just keep building up your spirit man (the new you) until he grows into the image and likeness of God. You don't have to wait to see your prayers answered to believe it; start speaking it until it manifests. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue…" according to Proverbs 18:21, and so many of the predicaments we find ourselves in are a result of things we ourselves have spoken into existence.
God expects us to mature. "For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong." (Hebrews 5:13-14) Refuse to remain where you are. Take the time to strengthen your spirit man that he may grow thereby.
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