When we pray in the Spirit we energize our inner man. Jude put it this way: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (v. 20). As we act on the Word of God, His nature is built into us. This creates a new habit that does not respond to the impulses of the flesh, but instead draws from the resources of the Spirit.
This process is planting seed into our cultivated spiritual field. In Galatians 6:8 the Lord promises:
“You will reap a harvest. For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (AMP).
Our thoughts and inner life are where the seed-planting process begins. The decision as to the type of seed we sow is made in our minds. But only seeking carnal things will produce failures in the spiritual realm.
Developing the habit of sowing the seed of God’s Word in our hearts empowers our spiritual lives. As we seek Him, we will begin to recognize His presence in our lives in a much greater degree. We need not ask for God’s presence; His presence and power are reality. But acknowledging Him when He manifests His presence and power will release God to accomplish His will in our lives.
The Holy Spirit wants full possession of our hearts. His desire is that the glory which He revealed in Jesus also be revealed in us. Jesus dwelt in flesh and blood to accomplish the work of the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit also must dwell in flesh and blood to continue to accomplish His work on earth. We are that flesh and blood in which He dwells.
We must let His creative power loose within us. It will cause inspired ideas to spring out of our spirits. Loose His wisdom and understanding. Release His ability. There is no shortage of God’s ability and power, only a shortage of those willing to discover God’s ways to release that ability and power.
Now notice Psalm 67:1-2, “God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah. That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.”
The way to make God known is to first know His ways personally. As we observe His ways, we begin to change.
We take on the ways of the one we observe the most.
That is why it is so important to discover the ways of Jesus. It is also vital that we surround ourselves with those who know Him.
The deeper we know Him, the more fully we can reveal Him. Just as the smell of cigarettes clings to our clothing when we walk through a smoke-filled room, in the same way, we take on a fragrance when we are in the presence of God. It is the aroma of the goodness of God on our lives that draws people toward Him.
Let the Holy Spirit search deep within you. Open those previously reserved areas to Him and let His plow break up that hard, crusted ground. He will plant the most beautiful garden in what was once only wasteland.
Every selfish motive and thought will come under scrutiny of the Holy Spirit because He wants to transport you beyond the veil into the holiest place where the Father, the Savior, and the Holy Spirit live.
