We identified in a previous blog how important it is to grow and continue to develop our spirit life. In fact we recognized that if growth comes to a halt, there is something that is blocking healthy development. As I work with clients, doing holistic care, we find that the blocks that come from trapped painful emotions and negative beliefs begin causing physical pain and misalignment to manifest in the body. If we trace the problems back to the roots, we have to acknowledge the role that the spirit has to play in bringing life itself.
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7, KJV).
Unlike other parts of the world, the western mindset has disconnected the unseen realities of the spirit and soul, to only acknowledge what is seen and can be measured. Paul, when writing to the Corinthians says,
we don’t focus our attention on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but the unseen realm is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18, TPT).
So how do we mature and expand in our spirit? First, our spirit must be made alive in Jesus Christ. We are born with a spirit that does not have Christ residing in it and does not function properly in its rightful place, having dominion over the functions of the soul. Like any muscle if it is not used, it deteriorates until it basically becomes ineffective and useless. In the same way for our spirit, if we have not learned how to be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as a spirit being, with a soul, in a body, then our spirit will be weak and have little influence over our soul life. As we intentionally and consistently yield our inner being to the life of God in us, we begin to move in greater realms of authority in the spirit. This means that the influence of the fallen world and the dark influences within it loose the power they once held over our thoughts and emotions. We begin to approach the challenges of life equipped by the Spirit with a Kingdom perspective to overcome. We must invite the glory of God’s Spirit to come in. He will not trespass in where He is not welcome. The same way as we ask Christ into our lives, we must ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with the glory and the power of God. A simple prayer might be something like Paul prayed,
I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! (Ephesians 1:19, TPT)
Father, I want to continually experience the immeasurable greatness of your Spirit filling me with the immense power that comes through the faith of Jesus Christ living in me.
It is not God’s heart that we stay infants in the spirit realm, He is calling us into mature Sonship. In fact, the fallen world around us is seeking what only mature Sons can bring… the restoration of all things.
Steps in Pursuit
- Take some time this week to think about the strength of your spirit and where you are in developing your spirit being. Consider using the prayer above to begin expanding the spirit.
- Are you able to recognize if you are living life more out of brokenness and wounds in your soul or from the spirit life within you?
- Stillness and quiet, promotes an environment in which the spirit can grow. Taking a walk in nature and turning your thoughts and heart toward God can stir intimacy with God’s Spirit.
Our health and fullness of life flows from our inner being out through our physical bodies. As we grow in abundant life in our spirit we will radiate that life to the world around us.
The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14, TPT).
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise
