OF SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

”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 NLTHebrews 5:13-1413 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

In our present times, many of you have seen a lot of former warlocks and wizards coming out of the kingdom of darkness and professing their faith in Jesus Christ. Among the select few testimonies I have watched, many of these individuals highlight one thing as the reason for their success in doing evil “their commitment and consistency” in applying the principles and patterns suggested in their craft.

In our own world as believers, many Christians unfortunately have taken the gift that is grace as a means to nurture their spiritual laziness. One of these former warlocks once spoke of a time he had to spend 40 days under open skies fasting and casting spells on a particular group of believers just in case any of them breaches the hedge of protection God has placed (Ecclesiastes 10:8).Ecclesiastes 10:88 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.

In Proverbs 26:2,Proverbs 26:2, 2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. the Bible says a causeless curse cannot land. If you look at the example above, you realize that the warlock was applying a spiritual principle found in scripture, the only difference being that he used it as a stumbling block in case the children of God who have life and death in the power of the tongue(Proverbs 18:21)Proverbs 18:2121 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. decide to speak death to one another then the curse shall land.

This is the point Paul is making in our theme scripture. As believers, we ought to exercise ourselves in spiritual maturity through reading the word, serving in the house of the Lord, praying and fasting, offering prayers and following through, submitting, loving those that don’t seem to deserve it, the list is inexhaustible.

As a child of God, refuse to be where you were yesterday as it pertains to the spirit. The more you counter your fleshly nature by doing what is ethical and divine as taught by the Word and helped by His spirit in you, the more you transition from milk to meat.

We are unable to do what is good of our own will (Romans 7:18),Romans 7:1818 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. do not be deceived into thinking you can merely be ‘a good person’; it is God that causes us to will and to do good (Philippians 2:13)Philippians 2:1313 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.. Without submitting to His ways and counsel, you will remain a spiritual infant.

Prayer: Father I thank you for this wisdom. I know that the heart is deceitful and none can truly know it. I tame my spirit by loving and feasting on your Word for it is life and spirit. I exercise my self to love your correction for you alone guides me with your loving eye. I am secure in your presence, and when I speak surely your oracles are heard. It is so in Jesus’name, Amen!

CI.