Walking in the Spirit with
Greater Accuracy

Job 1:1-5 – Man who was truly blessed (7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 oxen, 500 donkeys, and very many servants – greatest of all men of the east)

Job 1:6-22 In an instant, Job lost every thread of his livelihood, yet still remained faithful to God.

Job 3:1 – ALL – So begins one of the greatest battles of faith and endurance seen in the Word of God (great friends he had – NOT!)

QUESTION: Where do you think the attack began – out of the whim of God who in His faith in Job allowed him to walk through the devastation to show the devil how faithful he was?

Job 3:25 Fear can open the door to a lot of things; fear is not faith. When we allow ourselves to walk in fear, concerning what God has blessed us with, we no longer have control of it, but allow the enemy to do with it as he wishes.

Job 42:10 God is a restorer; He will show Himself strong & faithful on behalf of His people!

(Not what my message is on, but it is good stuff…)

Jeremiah 52:1-ALL Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the Lord, wasn’t a righteous king, lost his kingdom & everything in it because of it. He wasn’t alone – Jehoiachin was in exile for doing evil in God’s eyes also, lost his kingdom
(2 Kings 24) – They weren’t alone – many more kings in OT did the same.

Jeremiah 29:11-14
V.11) For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope.
V. 12) Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
V. 13) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all of your heart.
V. 14) And I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.”

Lest we be too dismayed, Jehoiachin was restored according to this verse – he was brought out of exile and set back up as a king, and was taken care of. (Sounds like he did some repenting in prison – wasn’t any “jailhouse religion”)

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only DO NOT TURN YOUR FREEDOM into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another.

1. OUR GREATEST THREAT IS NOT FROM WITHOUT, BUT WITHIN!

The devil gets a lot of blame for the flesh – most of the time it is we who are in the way of God’s plan! (Don’t get me wrong, he does his share)

Selfish desires, strong will, emotions, refusal to submit to authority, envy, strife…all these things in the soulish realm we must learn to say no to. (Great book, “No it’s not the devil, it’s you)

2 Cor. 5:17 When we accepted Christ, all the old nature should have gone away – but too many times we go dig him up again!

2. DON’T TRY TO OPERATE IN THE SPIRIT WITHOUT CHARACTER

Ever known someone who had a great anointing on their life, but their character was so bad that it nullified the impact of that anointing?

God desires us to walk in a level of maturity and excellence that the world doesn’t walk in – we don’t pattern ourselves, our thoughts after the world, but with what the Word of God says.

We should be open and honest with ourselves, doing self-examination on a daily basis! You can’t lie to God, He knows you! You may trick other people, but not God, he knows how many hairs are on your head!
(What does your character say about God to those who don’t know Him?)

3. YOU ARE NOT A PUBLIC SUCCESS UNTIL YOU ARE A PRIVATE SUCCESS

Many ministers are very successful in the pulpit, while their marriage and family are going to hell. This includes family relationships, friends, business associates. Besides your communion with God, your family is your primary ministry! How accountable will we be if they suffer because of our calling.

4. WE SHOULD HAVE A STRONG LOVE-WALK; NOT BITING AND DEVOURING EACH OTHER

Galatians 5:15 “If you bite and devour one another, take care lest you be consumed with one another.” (FUNNY! Paul knew that when we get a taste of blood, we can’t stop. Eskimo Wolf Hunters?)

1 Corinthians 13

5. IT’S OUT OF MY CHARACTER TO HATE

1 John 4:4 “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he who is in the world.”

Who are they? The spirit of anti-Christ; the spirit of anti-love! Your character is God’s character – if it is out of His character to love, then it’s out of ours also!

6. WE NEED TO HAVE A “GOD ON THE INSIDE” MENTALITY

Who lives on the inside of us as a believer? Does He ever leave us or forsake us? Who was with you the last time you screamed at your spouse/kids? Who was with you the last time you told a little fib? Who was with you the last time you talked behind someone’s back?

When we get the understanding that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords dwells on the inside of us, it changes everything! If Jesus were standing here right now, what would you do differently? GUESS WHAT, HE IS!

7. I AM A SPIRIT BEING; A NEW CREATURE

Ephesians 4:17-27 (Read – Key v. 21-24) The old man is dead!

You are a spirit! We must feed and take care of that spirit…even though we have to take care of these fleshly clothes, we should walk in the spirit to not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

8. BE AWARE OF THE JOB OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE

John 14:16-17 The promise is that the Helper will abide with us and be with us – we should let Him help! Notice Jesus wasn’t too specific when saying “Helper”…not just for certain things – for EVERYTHING! (Business decisions, life decisions, escape from danger…etc.)

He is also the SPIRIT OF TRUTH – leads us and guides us in all truth. (Ever heard a statement made before that didn’t bear witness with you?)

He is our COMFORTER – brings peace in the storms of life.

9. PRACTICE THE PRESENCE OF GOD

My worship to God is unique – one of a kind. It’s not necessarily the quantity of worship time you spend; it’s the CONSISTENCY