HOW TO JUMP-START FAITH AND BE AN
OVERCOMER (Part III)
Believers have the spiritual authority to OVERCOME this
world system via a full surrender to THE
LORDSHIP OF Christ. (Galatians 2:20) OUR VICTORY over the human tendency
to DOUBT is attained by FAITH. (I John 5:4) OUR FAITH is VOICE-ACTIVATED! “FAITH comes by HEARING, and hearing by the WORD OF
GOD.” (Romans 10:17) FAITH COMES…by HEARING THE WORD OF GOD!
This devotional series highlights SEVEN
POWER PRINCIPLES that teach us how to jump-start faith and overcome the
detrimental effects of the world system.
Today, we continue with principles three and four.
POWER PRINCIPLE #3: GUARD YOUR HEART (YOUR THOUGHTS).
Solomon offers sage spiritual
advice: “Keep your
heart [guard your heart] with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
(Proverbs 4:23) Clearly, this is a noble goal, but how is it possible to attain
while so many operate under the negative influences of the “carnal mind,” which
is the natural enemy of God? In such a
state, we are never “subject to the law of God,” nor “conformed to the image”
of Christ. (Romans 8:7;29) Indeed, “the motions of sin,” the momentum of our sinful nature, are more
likely to produce “fruit unto death” [deadly fruit] instead of the abundant
life promised by Christ. (Romans 7:5 – John 10:10)
The Apostle
Paul offers a viable solution for our human dilemma. “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) Although
spiritual warfare is a clear and constant
reality, victory belongs to the
WINNER-BELIEVER! (Romans 7:16-25 –
Romans 8:1-10)
Through the
indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, we are granted DOMINION OVER OURSELVES,
that is, we gain control over both our attitudes and actions. The end result? “We are more
than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) In other words,
the resident power of the Holy Spirit continually produces positive and
productive FRUIT. What is this fruit? According to the Apostle Paul, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians
5:22-23)
Therefore, the final outcome of the
internal struggle, a.k.a. spiritual
warfare, is our affirmation of faith and our acquisition of
victory. “Now thanks be to God who always
leads us to triumph in Christ.”
(II Corinthians 2:14) As we internalize the mind of Christ, spiritual health and balance
become accessible and attainable for us. (Philippians 2:5)
POWER PRINCIPLE #4: WATCH WHAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.
Undoubtedly, our words are products of our thoughts and producers of our actions. Jesus Christ expounded on this revelation of
truth: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart
his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) Christ’s
words offer confirmation for one of the more well-known proverbs of Solomon: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)
Whatever we speak, i.e. whatever we
verbally declare, is a matter of life or
death. The Psalmist David
declared that “the mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom.” (Psalm 37:30) What
are you speaking?
I have embraced two life-verses that are remembered and
recited daily. The first embodies faith
in the plans and purposes of my Savior: “Being confident of
this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until
the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) The second is a reminder that I
must maintain divine order and discipline to engage the benefits and blessings
of this covenant relationship: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in
Your sight, O Lord, my
strength and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
There is no doubt. The words
that we speak (both internally and externally) are mission-critical to the establishment
of our faith and our ability to overcome.
Point to
Ponder: How are your words
working for you? Are they jump-starting your
faith? Or, on the other hand, are they
entombing you in a deadly shroud of doubt, fear, frustration and failure?
Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!
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