PROBLEM-SOLVING BY THE SPIRIT No matter how serious your problems are, the most important thing is the way you handle them. There are ways in which we deal with problems that can actually make matters worse. For example, when Jesus was confronted in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter responded in an inappropriate way by using his sword to cut off a soldier’s ear (see Matt. 26:51).
Jesus told Peter, “‘Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword'” (v. 52). Peter dealt with the problem the only way he knew how–in the flesh.
One of the reasons Peter may have been ill-equipped to deal with the problem was that he had not yet received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, he resorted to using a physical, carnal weapon against those who were opposing Jesus.
Many of us today have an advantage in that we have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, if we are not controlled by the Spirit, we will resort to using carnal weapons as well.
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Paul declared: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.”
Whatever problems you are facing, you can rejoice because the spiritual weapons of your warfare are mighty. And when you learn to put aside the internal distractions, you can use those powerful weapons more effectively for the kingdom of God.
Begin today to grow in the knowledge of God and who you are in Him. Like the caterpillar that emerges as a beautiful butterfly, let God work a divine metamorphosis in you.
When this happens inside you, you will no longer be your own worst enemy. And the attributes that God desires to manifest in your life will come to fruition.
How does this metamorphosis take place in our lives today? It happens as we behold the glory of the Lord! Consider the words of Paul: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).
We are being transformed into God’s image. His divine metamorphosis changes us. It drives out all the undesirable elements of our personalities and replaces them with the attributes of God.
No one can spend quality time in the presence of God and not be changed. We can’t experience genuine fellowship in His presence and then immediately turn around and lie to one another or speak harsh, ungodly words to one another (see James 3:10-12).
Our time with Him will be reflected in our becoming more like Him. When we experience a divine metamorphosis, we will experience change on the inside.
External change is like rearranging furniture in a room. You may get new drapes or change the color of the carpet, but it’s still the same room.
Make sure your personal metamorphosis is internal, where it really matters, where it really counts. Look at your internal distractions realistically. Don’t sugarcoat anything the Holy Spirit reveals to you.
Let this be a defining moment in your life–a moment in time when something profound, earth-shattering, even life-changing occurs. You will never be the same again.
NO TIME FOR DIVERSIONS We are living in the last days of God’s timetable for the world. We have no time to waste on any distractions, fatal or otherwise.
Women have too vital a part to play in God’s plan of salvation. We have too great a part to play in the deliverance of our families. We have too vital a role to play in ministry to other women and to the entire body of Christ.
The apostle Peter proclaimed on the Day of Pentecost, “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days,’ says God, ‘That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy'” (Acts 2:16-17).
Women can’t afford to be delayed, detoured or distracted from fulfilling their destinies. Even a short delay can be fatal to those following us, as well as to the generations at risk that will be impacted by our ministries.
The world declares, “Knowledge is power.” That is true in the spiritual realm as well.
Satan wants to keep his subtle devices hidden. But the apostle Paul wrote, “We are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11).
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.