It might seem that I am a bit blunt here, but what I am going to share is the fact. Please take the time and read the verses that I have cited. Faith comes by hearing of the word and ye shall know the truth (when you grasp the truth), and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). The truth of the word will make a way for your escape from whatever situations you are in if you will but follow it. Some godly sorrows or fiery trials that are assigned by God, that we must endure for a while, which alone yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness in due season if we endure without murmuring. But sickness and diseases and infirmities, which is the result of our transgressions –1Cor 11:30/1John 2:1/3John 1:2/Proverbs 4:22, we must deal with it without delay to evade unnecessary losses and premature exit from the world. Give no place to the devil (Eph 4:27/6:11).
What if I told you that the spiritual struggle that you are going through is not abnormal but is the work of the Holy Ghost? The physical conditions like sickness or the infirmity in the flesh as I’ve mentioned before, though we have access to healing in Christ to all manner of sickness and oppressions and traumas, we must examine ourselves why we are in that state or what has led us to that state in the first place before we come to a conclusion.
Note: I believe the majority of illness is the direct effect of malnutrition, a nutritional deficiency that would cause the dysfunction of organelles, which carry out essential functions that are necessary for the survival of cells that harvest energy, that makes new proteins and that gets rid of waste and so on.
The spiritual dryness on the other hand could be a healthy one or the result of being not abiding in the vine and thus lacking moisture in the spirit – John 15:4/Matt 13:6/Luke 8:6,14 – the healthy one is the longing of your spirit man, which pines for the living God continually. He is craving inside of you to coalesce with his Creator after whom he is created in righteousness and true holiness – Eph 4:24. He is alive within, and as a child, which is born in the natural cries for milk, ye must feed him with the milk of the word of God –1Pet 2:2/Col 3:10. If not, then you would feel dry and hopeless. When you let your spirit man thrive in the knowledge of God, he alone is able to quench your thirst. We must speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord; and thus be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18-20).
But a soul to whom the world is not crucified – Gal 6:14, and whose flesh isn’t crucified with its affections and lusts – Gal 5:24, who are driven by the pride of life and is self-seeking – 1John 2:15-17, that are lovers of themselves – John 12:25/2Tim 3:2, would surely fail in building themselves up spiritually – And because they had no root, they withered away (Matt 13:6) – For the flesh lusts 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 (Gal 5:17) – The care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful – Matt 13:22 – the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things ENTERING IN, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful (Mark 4:19)
The active sinful flesh/nature would impede any spiritual progress. I am not saying that one should be perfect first for any spiritual progression, but that one should show diligence according to the Spirit to work things out. And for that, the only impediment is our own flesh.
Which life do we value the most determines what we seek after? The present evil world (if you love your life), which is after the course of this world – Eph 2:2 – or the world to come (if you are crucified with Christ)? If the latter, then we must seek those things which are above and set our affection on things above, and not on things on the earth (Col 3:1,2/1Tim 6:11) – For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (Rom 8:5).
The Holy Spirit can only move through your spirit and the Spirit moves only when the word of God is applied. He is not a respecter of persons – Acts 10:34 – and you cannot just move him with all your fastings (though Spirit-led fasting is imperative). Remember that there is no quick spiritual growth as such. Obey Him, establish your ways, your steps, and your thoughts according to the word of God, and then you shall see life bloom. The joy that you pine for comes from feasting on the word of God. But if there is a limiting spirit or some other spirits that are blocking and resisting you then that needs to be dealt with first, before you can experience God’s blessings. If possible try to get some 1800 to 1900 AD books written by men whom God had used at that time. It would definitely be a stimulant. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness – Ezekiel 3:3. The Bible says, And wine (typifies Spirit – you already have Him) that makes glad the heart of man, and oil (the anointing) to make his face to shine, and bread (the word of God) which strengthens man’s heart – Psalm 104:15. In the natural, if we skip a meal, it will affect us, right? In the spiritual also it works likewise. You must sometimes force-feed yourselves. All three are interconnected. The anointing comes from feasting on the bread of life – day and night – Psalm 1:2 – When I washed my steps with butter (typifies the word of God – Order my steps in thy word – Psalm 119:133), and (its effect) the rock (Christ – 1Cor 10:4) poured me out rivers of oil – Job 29:6. Before the fountains of the deep (that is your spirit) can be opened, which clogs the passage must be cleared. Then as Jesus said, out of your belly shall flow – John 7:38. Be of good cheer. The Lord is for you and is with you. Only believe! Your mind is where the devil bombards with his lies. Submit (hupotasso – be under obedience) to God (through His word/ apply thine heart unto instruction/ be a doer of the word – James 1:22/Pro 2:2/22:17/ 23:12) and (then, when you have corrected your ways) Resist (anthistemi – stand against, oppose) the devil and he will flee from you – James 4:7.
Here the key is obedience of faith – Rom 16:26 – by faith you receive the Spirit. Allow the Holy Spirit to work. We seldom allow Him to work because we are working where He should be. Jesus said He is our Comforter, He is our teacher, He is our helper. What do all these titles mean? Jesus Himself said, you don’t know what ye ought to pray but the Spirit helps – Rom 8:26. He also said The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise – John 5:19. You are a son too (if you are blood-washed, born-again, water, and Spirit-baptized Christian) and sons are led by the Spirit – Rom 8:14 – and have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Gal 5:24).
As I was told, in my spiritual infancy I was praying to God earnestly to anoint me – one night while I was strolling and praying, I heard a loud audible sound speaking, “You don’t know what you are asking for”. His tone of voice was as if He was reprimanding me. It took me by surprise, but I felt the Lord wants me to understand what he was going to teach me in the coming years. Now I understand what anointing is; had I knew it back then I wouldn’t have spent so much time and energy fasting to receive the anointing. When we come to Christ the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ, and we are in the Spirit from then onwards –1Cor 12:13/Eph 2:22/ 4:4/Gal 4:6/1Cor 3:16/Rom 8:9. And the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you (ye believe what the Spirit says), and ye need not that any man teach you (that doesn’t invalidate the office of a teacher): but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie –1John 2:27 – “ye need not that any man teach you” – that is about the truth of abiding in Christ, which some seducers tried to divert the faithful from the intended course – verses 23-28. Once you possess the knowledge of who you are in Christ and what your spirit man is capable of, it will transform your life. Because you are a part/member of the body of Christ (the Anointed)- Eph 5:30/1Cor 12:12, when you abide in him, through His word, whatever Christ owns and possesses is at your disposal. Don’t believe anything else. Test the spirits. This is the truth, spoken to us by the Spirit through the prophets and apostles of the Lamb. Which one do you want to adhere to? Man’s teachings or the word of God.
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself –1Tim 6:3-5.
Sadly our minds are fashioned by myths and heresies, isn’t it?
People are confused and many are bereft of the truth of the word due to a lack of proper understanding of the Scripture and unsound teachings in the churches.
Why God allows all these, you might ask? Well, first of all, God is Sovereign and He has His way of doing things. Secondly, apostasy must take place before the coming of the Lord. False apostles and false teachers are a judgment of God on those who reject the truth – 2 Thess 2:10-12/1Pet 2:8/ Matt 24:11/1John 4:1. And to know His ways, you have to get to know Christ in a very personal way and it takes time and obedience. You must be built through the Scripture. Trying to know God or Christ through any means other than the word of God is not only futile but can lead to deception and falsehood. Obedience is the key. Receiving with meekness the engrafted word of God into your spirit is the key – James 1:21. People are trying to find joy and strength outside the word of God, which will only set one up for deception. Modern-day churches look for feelings and they look for atmosphere change. They have it, but I doubt it is the Holy Spirit. Deceitful workers transforming themselves into apostles of Christ – no marvel Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light and his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness (2 Cor 11:13-15).
The popular notion is that when the Holy Ghost comes upon you, your life becomes so cozy and joyful, etc. Christianity in reality is no bed of roses. This way is narrow. At the same time, Christians are not a bunch of sad, depressed jokers without a Leader. Depression and oppressions are demonic manifestations. Christians can be demonized, be influenced, but not possessed. Even after coming to Christ, we could be influenced by the devil in many areas. It takes time for us to be made fully available to Christ. The reason why God wants us to be perfected (teleios – be complete, of full age – Heb 5:13,14, become mature in spirit, moral character built) is to make ourselves fully available for the Spirit to dwell in. By faith, we come to Christ, but for Christ to be fully developed in us, our carnal flesh or the inherent sin nature must be cast out, which is called sanctification of the Spirit. Bible says Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (2 Pet 1:2). Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that does evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honor, and PEACE (eirene – quietness, rest), to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile – Rom 2:9-10.
Let us, therefore, fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it – Heb 4:1 – There remains, therefore, a rest to the people of God – Heb 4:9 – For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his (Heb 4:10). For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength (Isaiah 30:15). This rest, Israel failed to enter into – Heb 3:18/4:6 – but now we can enter into this rest through Christ, provided we take His yoke and learn of Him -For His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matt 11:30). For we which have believed do enter into rest (Heb 4:3)
Jesus said, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (he meant to say that, learn from him meekness and to be lowly in the heart): AND ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matt 11:29). But how many of us are willing to lay down our own life first to take the yoke and burden of Christ to find that rest? Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28) – but there is a price to pay – that is, we must let Christ live in us – Gal 2:20/3:27/Rom 13:14 – we must abide in Him to bear much fruit – John 15:4.
Let us labor (work out) therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man falls after the same example of unbelief (Heb 4:11) – How? verse 12 says that when we let the word of God does the work in us to sanctify and cleanse – Eph 5:26 – cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit –2 Cor 7:1 – thus become partakers of his holiness – Heb 12:10 – and yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness – Heb 12:11 – thus we get to experience this rest from the Lord – the times of refreshing that shall come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19).
For he that hath suffered in the flesh (for righteousness sake, for the word of God, suffer as a Christian) hath ceased from sin (1 Pet 4:1) – laying aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us – Heb 12:1 – is crucial to enter into His rest. This person whose flesh is crucified with its affection and lusts – Gal 5:24 – is said to be mature in spirit, and one who is become skillful in the word of righteousness (Heb 5:13) – for he is not a babe in Christ, yet carnal anymore – 1Cor 3:1-3 – tossed to and fro – Eph 4:14 – he sins not (he’s learned to tame the innate/inherent sinful nature); but that he’s now learned to keep himself, and that wicked one touches him not (1 John 5:18). He would receive an immunity through this process of sanctification. For he has learned the art of hiding the word of God in his heart, that he might not sin against God (Psalm 119:11).
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die (wither away): but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (put off) the deeds of the body, ye shall live (Rom 8:13).
I have been through most of the spiritual struggles too. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes (Psalm 119:71). I am still a seeker and a learner. I haven’t reached yet to where my heart pines for. You feel that God is far away. That is your feeling, but not the truth. Relying on our feelings is not the right mode of Christian living. Know that Christian life hangs on faith. Through faith and by faith alone things get done in the Spirit world. Truth is, the questions you hold within are stirred up by the Spirit Himself for you to seek and find (seek and ye shall find – seek diligently and ye shall find). He has the answer to all your doubts. Know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. He never changes. He is faithful. You can count on Him, I promise. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, saith the Lord (Isaiah 49:15). Do you believe it? According to your faith be it unto you (Matt 9:29).
If we carefully examine, we could see that many of the troubles that come to subdue us are nothing more than “demonic expressions”. Baptism of the Holy Ghost – know that as in the natural, so is spiritual. When a child is born into the world, though it takes time for them to start speaking, they are capable, or by default are equipped to talk. Likewise, our spirit also is equipped and is capable of speaking his heavenly language. Don’t strive, it is within you – just be discerning – in the middle of worship or prayer, you would feel something welling up within you, just speak that out – it might feel absurdity for your natural mind – but believe me, when you start flowing in the Spirit, there is power. Just ask someone who is mature in spirit, to lay hands on you and pray for the outflowing of the Spirit. Draw it out, that’s all you need to do. Don’t wait for something overpowering to happen, it may or may not happen. Sometimes the Spirit would come on certain individuals that are sanctified for His special purpose, with great power and manifestations (enduement of power). If you could speak in tongues, I can assure you that, you will experience a surge in power and enablement. You will not feel empty anymore. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Eph 1:3). Everything is for our take, to those who believe and not give up. Christ is the power of God – 1Cor 1:24. Loving Christ regardless of our situation should be our priority.
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16)
You feel tired and weak? I believe you are either under spiritual attacks or simply you might be lacking nutrition.
I hope this letter would minister and help some. I am laying my hands on this letter and by faith, I release the anointing of the Holy Spirit to touch you as you read this. May the Spirit of the Lord work on and in you from now onwards.
Do not lose heart my brethren. You are in the safe arms of the Almighty.