LET YOUR SPIRIT TAKE THE LEAD

Scripture

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son... (Romans 1:9).

Devotional

What a profound statement from the Apostle Paul from the scripture we just read. It shows you where true service to God comes from. It’s not with your body or with your mind. True service to God is with your spirit. The Lord Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

Your fellowship with God is spiritual; therefore, your service must flow from that same source. When you were born again, it wasn’t your body that was changed, and it wasn’t your mind that was recreated; it was your spirit. The Bible says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature...” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

That new creation is your spirit. That’s where the life of God is. This is why a person can be born again and still struggle in certain areas. They may be doing all the right things externally, yet they could still think the wrong thoughts. It’s because their mind hasn’t been renewed yet. And it’s because the body hasn’t been brought into subjection.

The Bible says, “...be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:2). Your spirit has been recreated, but your mind must be trained to align with the new life in Christ. Your body also must be brought under control. The Bible says, “...present your bodies a living sacrifice...” (Romans 12:1).

Who does the presenting? It’s your spirit. So, your spirit, being alive to God, must take the lead. From your spirit, you influence your mind. From your spirit, you bring your body into subjection. If you don’t let your spirit take the lead, your senses will. Your feelings will. Your old patterns of thinking will. But that’s not the life you’ve been called to live.

You’ve been called to live from within, from your spirit. That’s where the guidance of the Holy Ghost is. That’s where the life of God operates. Your spirit is a dependable guide because he’s mingled with the Holy Ghost. You’re one with Him: “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17). So, let your spirit guide your thoughts and actions. Let him direct and define your responses. That’s how you live the higher life in Christ.

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for the life of God in my spirit. The Holy Spirit in me guides my thoughts and actions, being mingled with my spirit. Thus, my spirit is a dependable guide, defining and directing my responses. My mind is renewed by the Word, and I live in dominion, from glory to glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.