KEY SCRIPTURE: Romans 6:14 KJV ” For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace”.

Grace is God’s supernatural or divine provision made available to the child of God, to excel. The grace of God can only be received by faith. It is given to help us achieve more than the natural human strength can do. Grace comes to make us perfect. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the grace of God. John 1:16 KJV “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace”. The following is an illustration of grace and works. For example, if one is asked to make a journey of ten thousand kilometers on foot or to use an airplane. Traveling by an airplane is what grace is all about. It has no effort. All you need is to board the plane and you would be there in a matter of a short moment.

Making this journey by foot would be almost impossible. Please consider the following. How could you be traveling by the jet and have any difficulty? How can you be living by grace and still live in sin? It is simply impossible. The man who lives in sin is just like the man making that long journey by foot, he has forsaken to use the plane. Note:  A man must put grace aside before he or she can sin. How do we access the grace of God? Rom 5:2 KJV “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”.  This ‘airplane’ called grace is accessed by faith, and it carries you with no effort on your part. Your part is to believe, and yield your body, and you can do anything.

Our Lord Jesus is grace personified. The law was fulfilled and perfected in Him (Rom 10:4). When you believe in Him and trust Him to express His life through you, the perfection of the law is expressed through you, like the plane carrying you. A man would walk in sin if he does not acknowledge The Lord’s presence and power functioning through him. You were crucified with Him, and the life you now live is purely an expression of His Spirit working and functioning through you. If this is so, how can anything enslave you, and make you live in sin? When you believe in your heart that He is presently alive and functioning through you, you have entered into His grace. This is the reason Romans 6:14 says, sin cannot have dominion over you when you are living in, or under the grace of God. The idea that the grace of God gives license for sin is incompatible with the truth of divine grace.

CONFESSION

I have received the grace of God. There is a supernatural ability working in and through me. I am very superior to any challenge that rises against me. The greater one lives in me. Nothing overcomes me. I know who I am as a result of the one in me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 6:1, 2 ” What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Rom 8:3, 4 ” For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh”: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Timothy 3:2 KJV” A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

The minister must be blameless. There should be no immoral accusations against the minister of the gospel. In our last study I put forth a number of questions that one has to consider in the light of the influence he may be receiving. The questions are as follows

1. Who do you associate with? The Bible says Iron sharpens Iron (Prov 27:17). A bad nut would destroy other good ones. If your close friends are the kind who see nothing wrong with having a girlfriend, and doing all that God’s word forbid unmarried people to do, then you would practice them. Stay away from men of God with unscriptural lifestyle. The title man of God does not make a person one, it is only God who knows those who are His servants.

2. What do you watch often? The eye is a very powerful gate to your inner being. If you watch pornographic films then you have seriously corrupted yourself. On YouTube, there are great anointed men of God, who have made eternal impact on humanity. How on earth can you leave such materials to watch the game of devils. Stop that from this moment.

3. What do you read? There are certain materials that come from motivational speakers who are deeply imbedded in the occult. These people are not Christians but from the new age persuasions. Reading their materials allow wicked evil spirits to possess you without knowing you have been possessed. Any man of God who is mainly controlled by common sense has lost the influence of the Spirit.

4.What do you think or meditate on?  The ultimate influence of a man’s actions is what he thinks or meditates about. Your actions are simply an outward manifestation of the things that occupy your mind. Decide to think and meditate about that which honors God. Note: Your thoughts are influenced by what enters the mind. What enters the mind are also from your associations, what you watch and what you read. Put these things right and your actions would be influenced positively.

If you check these things you would not be cast away after you have preached to others.

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus I pray that I would be alert to always choose right friends and associates, as well as reading and watching that which honors you. May I be counted worthy of entering your kingdom.

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 4:8 KJV” Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”.

Proverbs 27:17 KJV “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinth 9:27 WEB” but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected”

Another area that has been a waterloo for most ministers causing their downfall is illicit relationship between the opposite sex. There have been some cases of same sex acts. This one is abnormal and an abomination. This issue of the opposite sex sins is very unfortunate yet goes on among many. There are some who claim that the patriarchs and people of the old testament married more than one and had concubines. We in the new testament era are in a different and better times. The scripture clearly said a minister or shepherd must be a man of one wife. 1Timothy 3:2 WEB “The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;”

 The shepherd or pastor cannot marry more than one wife, neither can he have any concubine. It is a sin to do so. Some pastors have their wives at home and they go about with another lady who is not necessarily a minister in any form. Why do some ministers behave this way? Some have misunderstood the message of God’s grace, and so instead of walking in the Spirit by the grace of God, they walk in the flesh by works, claiming it is grace. You cannot walk in grace and not live in the spirit (Rom 6:14). Anyone living in the flesh(sin) is not living in grace.

 There are some Pastors who ‘fall’ into the sin of Fornication and others who ‘jump’ into it. Well, whether you fall or jump into it, it is sin anyway. To jump into it, is to willingly and meditatively commit it. The challenge with such a one is that he is enslaved by the sin, whiles the man who falls into it is not enslaved and can easily stop it.

The truth is that no minister or better still pastor must fall or jump into the sin of Fornication. The provisions of divine grace and the demand of that office does not give any grounds for fornication. Consider the following questions very seriously. Who do you associate with? What do you watch? What do you read? Finally, what do you meditate or think about? If you rightly answered these questions then you are free from fornication.

PRAYER

Father, I pray for any pastor struggling with the sin of Fornication and other immoral activities. Open his eyes to the truth so he may be free.

FURTHER STUDIES

Philippians 3:18, 19ISV” For I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of the Messiah Their destiny is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on worldly things”.

Romans 12:1, 2 ISV. I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.

KEY SCRIPTURE :1 Corinth 9:27 NET” Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified.”

We look at some of the sins that can befall servants of God, so he can put them away, in order not to be cast away. The first  one to consider is the sin of pride. Pride can easily set in when a man is not truly yielded to the Spirit of God. It can take over the heart of a man when he is making a great impact and attracting so much attention. Pride can also set in even if he is not making that much impact. The basic denominator is whether that individual has truly submitted to the Lordship of Jesus.

God resists the proud but gives more grace to the humble (James 4:6). Pride can be put under check by observing your motives as well as instructing yourself to always place the glory of God first. Tell yourself whatever I do or become is for His glory and not mine.

 The next error among ministers, is the lustful desire for money or wealth. Having wealth is not evil, if it is seen as a means of expanding the work of God and helping the needy. When the man of God seeks for wealth as a means of having significance on the earth, then he is falling out of God’s way. The Bible says many have pierced themselves with many sorrows because of the crave for wealth or money. 1st Timothy 6:10. The man of God must not seek for money but seek to honour God and bless many lives. In this way   his needs would be taken care of by the Lord through the very people he has been blessing.

A number of ministers have been hurt by many close associates or brethren. Many ministers are therefore very bitter about certain individuals. This is rather unfortunate. Please dear child of God, it is God who called you and gave you his terms of reference. He has not been unfaithful to you. Forget about the unfaithfulness of men, for they did not call you, or are they going to reward or judge you. If you do not throw away bitterness you would be rejected at the final hour, when you stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

PRAYER

Father touch the heart of every minister of the word to be focused on you and not on themselves so they may live to please you only and not themselves.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Timothy 6:10 WEB “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows”.

James 4:6 WEB “But he gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Corinth 9:27 NET “Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified”

Sand paper is a special paper with a film of sand glued on its surface. It is used to smoothen or polish various surfaces of certain materials, after which it loses it abrasive properties and so it is thrown away. Apostle Paul also shows that, he puts his body under subjection or discipline so that he is not cast away like a sand paper after preaching to others. . Most of us who go about preaching to others must take a clue from Paul’s example. The flesh has appetites and desires. It longs for the natural carnal things. It may love the praise of men. There is the crave for money. Lust for sex and other things keep knocking on it. All these must be silenced and put in check.

 God is not a respecter of persons. If you go about preaching, then you are polishing other people. When your life is ruled and dominated by the flesh, then your service would be unacceptable. Rom 8:13 NET (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. “The Bible states that he that strives for masteries must strive lawfully (2 Timothy 2:5). This means you must serve the Lord according to His terms. When you serve handling the word of God deceptively, you are heading for God’s disapproval.

The flesh should not be allowed to lead in any way. Its influence must be put to death.

Col 3:5 NET “So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: …… “. Be diligent to make your calling and election sure. 2 Peter 1:10. You kill the wrong passions by refusing to feed your mind with wrong thoughts. The thoughts are products of what you watch, listen and the associations you keep. Cut off every appearance of evil. Make sure your body is fully subjected to you. Never do anything that the word forbids, even if another so called ‘ great’ man of God does it. A man is great in God’s sight if he diligently does what He says.

CONFESSION

I am in charge of my body. I subject my body from wrong appetites.  My flesh goes in line with the word, because I have trained it to do so. My thoughts are occupied with holy and upright things.

FURTHER STUDIES

Colossians 3:5 NET “So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry.

2 Peter 1:10& 11 NET” Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin. For thus an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be richly provided for you.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Eph 2:10 KJV” For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”.

NO dog struggles to bark. We as Christians have been designed or endued with the ability for good works. It is in our nature to do good. We are made of the same substance of our Lord. John 15:1, reveals that we are the branches and the Lord is the vine. The branch is made of the same substance as the vine. The spirit of Christ is a sweet Spirit. The first thing to do to manifest a sweet spirit as a child of God, is to accept that you have a sweet spirit. Your past experiences might have been very painful or created certain bad attitudes in you. If you have made Jesus Lord of your life, then the past is no more. Refuse to accept you are a bitter person or you have a bad character. Your spirit is the Spirit of Christ and that is the real you.

Secondly tell yourself always that you have a sweet spirit. One strong way to train your spirit is to speak in line with what you want your actions to be. Your attitude and actions towards people are directly related to the words you talk about them. Decide never to use your tongue to speak evil about others. Never comment on issues of others that you have no knowledge about. Col 4:6 KJV” Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”. Don’t compromise with wrong, but always speak the truth in love. Tell people the truth, not with a motive to condemn them, but to see a transformation in their actions.

 WORDS are not just sounds with an intention but, they are real substances. They have the ability to create, heal, lift up, cast down, defame or destroy. Always make your words heal, unite, lift up, encourage and bless as well.

Build a sound relationship with the Lord. One’s ability to be genuinely selfless comes from his knowledge of God and a subsequent surrender of his will to Him. David could not be bitter against king Saul’s evil pursuit of his life because he knew the Lord and had surrendered his life unto Him. Please consider your role in people’s life as God’s assignment and do it diligently

CONFESSION

I proceed from God. I am recreated in Christ Jesus unto good works. It is my nature to do good to God’s glory. My words lift up, heal, and bless the depressed. I am taking the Lord place in this life.

FURTHER STUDIES

1 Peter 2:22 & 23 KJV “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”

James 3:17 & 18 KJV. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:27 KJV” But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus”.

Joses demonstrated so much good deeds, to the point that he was surnamed ‘Barnabas’ which means ‘son of consolation’ This word consolation also means, comfort, a REFRESHMENT. The name Barnabas was   given to him because of his sweet spirit.

At the early days of the church, the Bible said he sold his land and brought it to be shared among the less privileged brethren. He gave out something so dear. To the kind hearted nothing is too dear to be given to God.  Ananias and his wife Saphira attempted to DO the same. They sold their land, but brought only part of the money, claiming that was the whole sum (Acts 5:1–5)

When Apostle Paul started preaching Christ after his conversion, no brother or sister was ready to accept him. Everyone was suspicious of his claims, considering how ardent he was, in persecuting the church. Barnabas accepted him and led him to the apostles. Indeed, perfect love cast out fear (1st John 4:18). A man with a sweet spirit is a great encourager. He does not focus on the negatives, but majors on the positives. Paul had a great ministry, yet he needed someone to spur him on. Others shunned him, yet Barnabas carried him around.

When Apostle Paul started preaching, he was saved from the Jews, who were lying in wait to kill him. He later went back to Tarsus apparently to go into his tent business. Barnabas, as a man of love went to Tarsus, to get him back into ministry. Act 11:25 KJV” Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul”: Barnabas was indeed a friend that stuck closer than a brother. Are you putting people down or helping them in every way to reach their destinies?

At a point in their ministry Barnabas wanted to give John Mark an opportunity to proof his faithfulness. Paul was a no-nonsense man and would not take any weakness from John Mark. This difference of opinions is what led to their separation. (Acts 15:37–39) You can be a man of consolation.

PRAYER

Father I pray you touch the hearts of every child of God, stirring up a spirit of consolation to urge up God’s work to advance greatly.

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 11:22 KJV “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch”.

Acts 12:25 KJV “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: James 3:17 KJV. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

We continue with the traits of the man with a sweet spirit. In our first discussion we said the man with the sweet spirit is a man of purity, secondly, he is a person of peace. Our third point as stated in our key scripture is that, he is gentle. Some of the synonyms for gentle are, mild, fair, suitable, appropriate, moderate and patient. Such a one is moderate or better still he is self-controlled. Respect for others is the motivation for gentleness towards them. The gentle man is very thoughtful of others. He is not a man pleaser but seeks to give each person the best that is due him or her.

The next trait of the man with a sweet spirit is that he is easy to be in treated, that is, he has an understanding ear. He does not just hold to his stance. He critically analyzes the views of other parties against his own, and when he realizes the other party’s view is right, he accepts it.  A man of a sweet spirit is a man of peace. We must always fight for the common good of all that we may be dealing with, and not seek our own advantage. Easy to be intreated also means easily obeying.

Our opening scripture adds that the man with a sweet spirit is full of mercy. Mercy is the ability to pardon or overlook a wrong action or a mistake especially when the person requests for it. Micah 6:8 says that, what the Lord requires of us and that which is good, is to do justly and to love mercy. People who are very critical and judgmental normally, do not have mercy and so do not obtain mercy. (Matt 5:7). King Saul was so judgmental and was ready to kill his own son Jonathan for eating some honey, not knowing his father had made a rule that no one should eat. (1st Samuel 14:1-44) There was no mercy on him when he was disobedient. Have mercy on others.

CONFESSION

I have a sweet spirit.

I act selflessly always. I am gentle or very moderate with all persons. I am also easy to be intreated. I get along very well with most people.

FURTHER STUDIES

Colossians 3:12 KJV” Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”;

Colossians 3:14 KJV” And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Sa 24:6 KJV “And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD”.

David is another character that demonstrated a sweet spirit. He was anointed at a very early age to become the next king of Israel. He was asked by king Saul to come, live with him and play the harp to drive away demons from him. He sacrificed his life to fight an old terrible warrior like Goliath   and defeated him. In spite of all these kind deeds, for king Saul and Israel as a whole, king Saul hated him and wanted to kill him. David never for once got bitter and attempted to harm Saul in any way.

King Saul on two different occasions attempted to kill him with a javelin or spear. On two other occasions David had the opportunity to kill him because King Saul was fast asleep as he came pursuing David to kill him, but he declined. David said, he had no business killing him because he was the Lord’s anointed.  Never place your interest before God’s own. (1Sa 24:8 KJV). Just consider what David did, he knelt down before Saul even after he had had the opportunity to retaliate. From our key scripture he said, how can I lay my hands on the Lord’s anointed?  You cannot have a sweet spirit without a great reverence for God.  king Saul was seeking to kill him and so it was naturally wise to eliminate him before king Saul laid hold on him and killed him. David did not kill him, but committed his life into God’s hands. Dear child of God, please stop every hatred for any man, no matter what he has done or doing.

David demonstrated the climax of this sweet spirit after King Saul and Jonathan died. The young man who brought the news, said he killed king Saul because he asked him to slay him. He thought David would have praised him for that, yet he killed him instead.  David also mourned for King Saul and lamented bitterly for him. (2nd Sam 1) He demonstrated fully that he was never bitter towards king Saul in anyway. Note: Bitterness in any form is a pill of Satan, so don’t swallow it. He had a great sweet spirit. David was rewarded by God with a very successful reign and life. He was the only king of Israel who crowned his successor, before he died. He was also the only king who annexed almost all the lands of Canaan that the lord God promised the Abraham. How sweet are you to your wife, husband, or to others?

PRAYER:

Lord touch the hearts of all Christians to throw away every hatred and bitterness to possess a sweet spirit towards all persons.

FURTHER STUDIES

1 Peter 3:8 – 12 KJV. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

KEY SCRIPTURE :1 Samuel 18:4 KJV .” And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle”.

An example in the Bible of a man with a sweet spirit was Jonathan. Jonathan’s father was the king that ruled over the whole land of Israel, and he was logically to become his successor. When Jonathan encountered David and knew God had appointed him, he quickly fell in love with God’s choice. 1Sam 18:1 KJV.”….

that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul”. Many people would have hated David if they had the hint that he would take what was humanly expected to be theirs. Once again, a man with a sweet spirit is a selfless man.

 A sweet spirit individual appreciates God’s interest. He rejoices with those who have been privileged and promoted. It is God who promotes, if you dislike the promotion of an individual, you are attacking God. There are women who would not attend a friend’s wedding because, she would be feeling so bad that it is not hers but someone else. A sweet spirit individual has mastery over envy and jealousy. Jonathan did not just express his love for David by word of mouth, but demonstrated it by helping David to escape from his father’s fury and attempt to kill him. A great life is not about being the first or the best but submitting to the will of God.

 A man with a sweet spirit is a man with a free spirit. Every man who attempts to scheme to manipulate for advantage is imprisoned by the success and achievement of others. Such a person may be fighting against God. How foolish and stupid to do that. King Saul attempted to kill David in order to frustrate God’s plan, but rather frustrated his own life. He died a miserable death, which he should not have died. God in an act of mercy for him, brought David into his life to cover some of his shortcomings. David played music to drive out the demon that tormented him. He could have sat at home as David fought the battles for him. His deceived critical spirit, made him not to see that. If he had had a sweet spirit, he would have enjoyed his reign and not to have died in that battle.

CONFESSION

I have a sweet spirit which makes me very wise. I choose God’s way and celebrate it, thereby my life is preserved and enjoy my true God designed way to live.

FURTHER STUDIES

1 Samuel 18:8 KJV” And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, they have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?”

Romans 12:9 & 10 KJV Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;