Living with a Strong Spirit within!

Prov 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit? The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble but a weak n broken spirit who can raise up or bear? (amp) A healthy spirit endures adversity but what can you do if the spirit is crushed? (msg)

The Trinity of man 1 Thess 5:23... may your whole spirit, soul, body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. -there is an outer man – my body -there is a soul – mind, will, emotions -there is a spirit – Christ n Holy Spirit dwells when I’m born again

Outward man vs Inner man 2 Cor 4:16 Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day - one is deteriorating, other is getting stronger - one can be seen, other cannot (but it’s just as real and for both their strength n weakness can be noticed)

Physically Strong Physically Weak

Spiritually Strong Spiritually Weak

Demonstrations of inner weakness Prov 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. - crumble under pressure -unable to do the things we know to do -can’t refuse the things we shouldn’t do -unable to speak up for truth or stand up for our faith

named, Eph 3:14-16 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length n depth n height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God

The Priority of the Inside -Man works from the “outside in” -Jesus works from the “inside out” Eg. Peter From:- weakness to strength - defeat to victory - fear to boldness

Jn 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life: the flesh profits nothing. The words I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Every issue of life that matters comes from the inside – truth, integrity, faithfulness, success, happiness, life Are you born again? Which man are you feeding?

Virtues of a Strong Spirit i. sustains us in times of trouble Ps 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning Col 1:11 be strengthened with all might..for all patience and longsuffering with joy. - helps us endure with joy problems we have with circumstances (patience) and with people (longsuffering).

Virtues of a Strong Spirit ii. keeps us in control and in perfect peace Eg: Mark 4:35-41 Jesus and His disciples in the boat

Virtues of a Strong Spirit iii. gives us victory in the trials of life Is 43:2 When you pass through the waters I will be with you: And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor the flame scorch you.

Ps 23: 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For You are with me. Ps 84:6-7 How blessed is the man whose strength is in you, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. Passing through the valley of Baca, they make it a spring... They go from strength to strength; …

Eg: Daniel 3:25 “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” -walk through difficult situations and emerge free and triumphant -stay free from power of sin and influence of the world -praise God in the midnight hours and see ourselves set free from chains

Virtues of a Strong Spirit iv. lends us the power to resist the devil Eph 4: be angry and do not sin; nor give place to the devil Place in Gk: “topas” – topography (give him an inch, he’ll take a mile)

Js 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil n he will flee from you. (who but the strong can stand n fight?) 1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

Eph 6:10-17 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. …

2 components of spiritual warfare: i.first be strong in the spirit ii.then put on the armor of God

Developing true inner strength: Spirit man has to be continually and consistently fed, nourished, built up, trained, exercised. -Word of God (Acts 20:32; Ps 119:28) -The Holy Spirit (Eph 3:16.. be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man) - Prayer in the Spirit

Praying in the spirit (tongues): Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the spirit. 1 Cor 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself

When we speak in a tongue i. we speak mysteries to God (1 Cor 14:2) ii. brings complete transformation – fearful to bold -powerless to authoritative -dispirited to passionate