Praying for Spiritual Growth.

Part 3

 By Nick Bibile

We have come to know how important it is to pray for our Spiritual growth, many are concerned of their flesh and not their soul but as Christians we do not walk by sight or flesh but by faith in the spirit.

Let me show you again the importance in prayer for our spiritual growth.  The fallen man cannot and will not pray for spiritual growth, the fallen man is in the flesh and will pray only for fleshly desires. First of all remember we are made in the image of God but that image was shattered after the fall. Then we were separated from God, fallen man in Adam, we lived not according to the spirit but according to the flesh.

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The Bible is clear as the natural man; our fallen condition cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God and does not understand. So the fallen man may have a religion and they walk according to the flesh, according to the sight so they will pray in the flesh for the flesh asking for fleshly things. You can go to prayer meetings and see how many times they pray for physical fleshly things as God is regarded like a Santa Claus, even the heathen pray for these things.

But God by his spirit brought you from darkness to the light, made you a new man in Christ Jesus. If you are born of the flesh you will ask for fleshly things and if you are born of the Spirit you will ask for spiritual things.

Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

The true Christians understand the importance of spiritual truth and knowledge as the old man is crucified and we are made new in Christ Jesus.

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.

The image that was shattered is repaired and we have a new nature, the new image and renewed in knowledge.

Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved ;)

Then eyes open and we see it is the spiritual things that is more important not the physical. There is a change in our prayer as we begin to pray in the spirit as we see the priority is for spiritual things rather than fleshly things.  Jesus said:

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Ro 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

We cannot worship and communicate to God who is a spiritual being in our flesh but the only way we can communicate to God is in spirit. Flesh cannot reveal spiritual things of God to us.

Mt 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Some may say what about Jesus when he told us to pray, he told us ask anything and he will give to us.

Lu 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

So we can pray and ask for a Mercedes, a boat, an airplane, a mansion, a million dollar job. Is Jesus speaking of physical things or spiritual things. There are many false teachers who use this scripture for their benefit as these false teachers are immensely wealthy so they take this scripture to support their position.  On the other hand let us see what the devil wants to give.

Mt 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

 9 And saith unto him, all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Yes, the devil wants to give those physical things, the worldly things, if you follow your will you are following the will of the devil and he can make you feel very comfortable. But Jesus said the words that he speaks consist of the spirit and not the fleshly things.

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickened; the flesh profited nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

When the Lord said in Luke 11:9, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Here is talking of spiritual things and not fleshly desires.

1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  

But don’t we need the physical things, the needs for our life.  Remember How the Lord said the spiritual things are the priority and physical things are secondary as he will provide us our food, clothing and shelter.

Mt 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek :) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Now we have a spiritual birth and we are more concerned of spiritual things.

Ro 8:5 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.

Ga 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Let us see some of the effects when you pray for spiritual growth.

  1. The soul will be consecrated and will there will be a separation of the world. Remember before you are praying in the flesh for fleshly and worldly desires. When you are in the spirit your mind will be renewed and you are transformed and will be praying not for your will but for God’s will. (Rom 12:1-2)
  2. You cannot pray in the spirit if you are walking in the flesh. You will be separated unto the Lord. (2 Cor 6:17; 1 John 2:15)
  3. Once you are separated from the world, you can stand in the holy place of God in prayer. (Ps 24:3-4)
  4. Before you love the world as you walked in the flesh but now you are in the spirit as God is spirit you can fulfill the most important commandment to love the Lord with all of your heart and soul. (Mat 22:37-38)
  5. You can be a true witness of God to a dark world to the unbelievers around you. You cannot witness to someone if your own life is worldly, fleshly living in sin as unbelievers will not see the light of Christ in you. But once you live a life of consecration to the Lord the world will see Christ in you. God will give you the power of the Holy Spirit to be an effective witness. (Acts 1:8)
  6. Praying for spiritual growth in the Spirit of God will bring spiritual maturity. (Gal 5:22-23)
  7. As you are sanctified by God living a life unto God, God can use you for his glory. (2 Tim 2:21-22)

 

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