WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

The challenge has been issued. The Lord has been true to His purpose in the earth. He has chosen a people called by His name and endowed them with His power to subdue the power of the devil in the lives of those who seek Him. We are the messengers of the Most High. Once again, the devil will have to contend with “The Christ.” I find it grievous to think of how far the Body is from the mind of Christ. There is a cloud that covers the hearts and minds of those who would be true manifested Sons of God. This is a cloud of unbelief. I know in my heart that I can only minister the Word. I cannot force those I serve to believe.

Therefore, I continue to solicit the support of the Holy Ghost for His ability to lose their minds and hearts from this tyranny of doubt and unbelief. I have had the privilege of ministering to many ministers who confess a desire to enter into a lifestyle of walking in the Spirit. Some have cited many deficiencies in their own character, but sincerely want to please the Lord. I say to you that in many instances this “want to please the Lord,” is the problem. You might ask how can wanting to please the Lord be a problem? Nevertheless, I say this as a result of standing in the center of the mind and heart of the Father. Follow me as we journey together into the world of the eternal Spirit. Recently in a leadership meeting I ministered on the hindrances to walking in the Spirit.

Below is a list of some of the things that were discussed.

• Pride
• Lust
• Wantonness
• Fear
• Unbelief

WANTONNESS AND UNBELIEF

Usually when we define the term ‘wantonness’ it is related to material things. However, wantonness covers far more territory than the lust for things.

Romans 13:13-14

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Want is a spiritual location. It is a walk. To want is to crave or unlawfully desire a satisfaction of the flesh. Want is always associated with the desires and aspirations of the flesh. How does one know whether their desire to please the Lord is real? The answer is simple.

1. Whenever you find yourself unable to please Him, then the desire to do so is not real. You may tell yourself that you are sincere, but there is no way to truly want holiness and not be able to find it. You are the son of God. You were created in His image unto every good work. You are the righteousness of God and the fulfilling of the Law. It is your nature to be holy and to walk pleasing to the Father. It is evil desires in the heart that hinder you from doing so.

2. When what you want to do for God is associated with fleshy gratification, it is an unlawful desire. It is very easy to say, “I want to please the Lord.” In many cases the desire to do so is very sincere. However, in some of the sons of God, this desire is initiated by fleshy lust. Sometimes it is a lust for recognition, for authority or power, or a more subtle want for preeminence. Oftentimes, those working their gift want to be acknowledged as a powerful or holy oracle of God. This acknowledgement will set them apart from the people, for they see themselves as greater than the ones they are called to serve. In such cases, they seek to be served and treated as nobility. You may think that I am simply being cynical here. But the truth is, you are unable to please the Lord because you want something out of this world that is contrary to the mind of Christ. That want is fortified, protected and even justified by pride. Regardless as to how subtle your pride may be, it is strong enough to protect your want from any influence the Word might seek to offer.

3. God’s agenda and desire for your life may indeed be appealing but becomes despised when viewed and scrutinized by that secret thing in the heart that you want. Consider the following:

Beloved, do not lie to yourself. You are able to please the Lord. You simply have to walk in the one who never failed Him, our Lord Jesus Christ.