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”.

Our key scripture describes the character of a true Christian. It is a description of one with a sweet spirit. The opposite nature is one with a critical spirit. Such a one is an antagonist. He or she is normally on the offensive. An antagonist always seeks for faults to accuse others and easily find faults with others. He is a very difficult person to relate with. The common denominator about any such critical person is that people do not stay around him or may shun him. They also don’t have a peaceful heart. Any Christian with such an attitude is on his way to hell. He or she is under the influence of the adversary who is the master of all those with an antagonistic spirit.

In this study we are now considering more about the man with a sweet spirit. The Bible says such a person operates with a heavenly wisdom. The first mark of one with a sweet spirit is purity. Purity simply means a heart that has not been tainted by the flesh. Purity is also something which has got to do with meditating on holy things. Holiness of life is just an outward expression of a heart that dwells on pure things. A man with a sweet spirit is a man of purity. The second trait of a person with a sweet spirit is that he is a man of peace. This state of peace is more about a peaceful relationship with others. It does not mainly refer to peace in the heart of that individual, although every man who lives at peace with others is a man with a peaceful heart.

To be a peaceful man, it calls for a great deal of selflessness. Rom 12:18 KJV” If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men”. It is this attitude of peace with people that makes him a man of a sweet spirit. Being at peace with people does not mean subjecting yourself to every stupid action, without expressing your stands, but being objective, yet on your part you do not become over burdening. Dear child of God, this is God ‘s expectation of you. It is the best way to live, for you attract others of the same disposition towards yourself.

CONFESSION

I have a sweet spirit. I delight in that which is upright and pure. I live at peace with all men. I attract to myself people of a similar disposition. I have a very great life of peace that makes a positive impact on many.

FURTHER STUDIES

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”.

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

KEY SCRIPTURE: Eph 4:13 KJV. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

When we started with this series on “give your supply” we realized from Eph 4:16   that as Christians, we are the building blocks of God’s house, the church. Each person is a very vital part of the stability of the whole building, and so must effectively play his role to keep the building strong and increasing as well. Now the truth is that for an effective supplying of one’s abilities he must be equipped very well. Our key scripture shows us the quality of persons we are to be. We have to be fully matured to able to supply our respective roles very well.

Our key scripture shows us what this maturity entails. It involves coming into the unity of the faith. This is a state of each of us acknowledging one another as one people having a common faith as well knowing God’s basic call for the body of Christ. We must also get to know the Son of God in an intimate way, ready to stand and die for Him if necessary. Finally, we must grow to be like Christ in all things. God’s idea of a matured person is the one who is like Christ.

 Rom 8:29 KJV” For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren”. We have been predestined to be like Him.

NO other person, not even the apostles are our standard. The Lord Jesus is our standard, and this is what God’s   anointed servants help us to see and pattern our lives after. The death and resurrection of our Lord has qualified us to be like him. 2nd Corinth 3:6, reveals that we have been made able ministers of the new testament. That word ‘able’ used in this context means ‘qualified’. It also means we have been equipped with every necessary provision to be ‘dispensers’ of the Spirit. We must never see ourselves as weak people tossed about by the deceit of men. It is weak and helpless people who are carried about with every lying provisions of men. You are not weak. Accept yourself for who you are in Christ so you could effectively play your role in the body of Christ.

PRAYER

Lord, I pray for the body of Christ, to come to terms with God ‘s purpose for it, and to effectively evangelize the world with great impact.

FURTHER STUDIES

2 Corinth 3:5 KJV “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God”.

2 Corinth. 3:6 KJV” Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:13 KJV” Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

God our Father says he has chosen us, ordained us to go and bring forth fruit so that our fruits would remain. Then when we ask anything in the Lord’s name, the father would do it. (John 15:16) God wants you to be fruitful. Fruitfulness increases the body of Christ. The Lord Jesus added that fruitfulness glorifies the father and makes us his disciples indeed. Joh 15:8 KJV “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so, shall ye be my disciples”. What supply are you bringing into the body of Christ that you belong?

Ephesians 4:16 instructs us to bring in our supplies so the body of Christ may increase. God wants his body on the earth to be in charge of issues in the world. Our Lord Jesus when He walked the shores of this earth was light that lit the path and life of many. He was an expression of the father in a human form. Dear brother or sister this is the idea that the father has about you. God does not want any Christian as a victim needing help. The church in God’s mind should bring solutions to the world. This is the reason He is raising each one of us to the measure, stature and fulness of Christ (Eph 4:13).

IT griefs the heart of the father when many Christians live with a need mentality about themselves. A people who are always crying for help cannot help others. The following is what the Father talks about you. “Saviours shall come up on Mount Zion……” He calls you a Savior. Please note, in God’s order of things, the Father is the gardener, or the caretaker. His main duty is to take care and provide our needs, and we are the branches, the fruit bearers. Our Lord is the vine, our life and support. All these are beautifully pictured in John 15:1-16. Please read through that passage prayerfully. This is why God has raised ministry gifts like Pastors and the rest to teach truths that would bring the church to the measure, stature and fulness of Christ. Stop being a baby and accept the demand the father has placed on you. Give your supply.

CONFESSION

I bear fruit for the Lord. The Father is glorified in me as I bear fruit. I refuse to be a need conscious child of God, but a solution provider, bringing answers and joy to a dying and frustrated world. I have the life of God in me.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 15:7 KJV “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you”.

John 15:16 KJV “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” .

KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:16 KJV. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love”.

The body of Christ is one big unit. It includes all brethren who have departed to be with the Lord, and are called the church triumphant. There are those of us living now in this world, called the church militant. The church militant is made up of various units, normally called denominations. Within these denominations are local churches. Every one of us belongs to a local church. Our key scripture shows us that everyone is a joint that anchors other parts of the body. Can you imagine a building where some of the blocks do not play their roles? That is, they are not there. That building would not be strong. What part are you playing in the house of God? Please note, as a joint you cannot fail to bring your supply.

A lot of Christians do not understand the function of the church. They see the church as a need meeting center, and that they are people with needs that need help. This is a trick of the devil, to keep many Christians living as babies. They are always seeking for help. Dear one, when Jesus died, he settled the need question. (2nd Peter 1:3).You must free yourself from the need seeking attitude to a supply of divine potentials for the growth of the kingdom of God on the earth. Well, the church meets various needs yet its main role is to establish the kingdom(rule) of God in the hearts of men.

Some also see the pastor as the owner of the church, and that the pastor should be able to answer all the need issues of the members. No pastor owns any church. He is a building block just like any member is  .His role is to bring that truth of God to the other brethren who would use that to be strong and fulfill the work of the ministry. Eph 4:11 &12 KJV And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and *teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Commit yourself to the teaching of the word, to be strong for the work of the ministry.

CONFESSION

I am an effective member of the body of Christ. I am committed to the task our Lord gave to us. I feed on his word through His servants so I will be strong to fulfill the mission of the church. I am not a need seeker but a supplier of divine abilities to build up the body of Christ.

FURTHER STUDIES

Eph 4:13 KJV “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”:

Eph 4:14 KJV That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

KEY SCRIPTURE: Prov 16:32 NET” Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city”.

The Bible makes it clear that anger may come yet one can always control his anger and not the anger controlling him. Before we look at some of the ways to control anger let us consider what anger can do to you if not controlled. There are serious health challenges if anger is not controlled. These include:

1.Headache

2.Digestive problems like abdominal pains

3.Insomnia (inability to sleep)

4.Increased anxiety

5.Depression

6.High blood pressure

7.Skin problems, such as eczema

8.Heart attack

9.Stroke

In addition to these are serious relational hurts and in some cases destruction of properties.

To control anger, please reflect diligently over the negative effects of anger, and let that raise in you a resistance against it. Convince yourself that, if anger generates all these negative conditions, then you would not allow anger to control you. This is the scriptural advice: James 1:19 NET ” Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger”.

1. Stop considering yourself as too important. Turn every reproach to the Lord.

2. You may keep quiet in the moment of provocation and walk away from the scene. Proverbs 19:11

” Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense”.

3. Decide to cast those words or scene from your mind by telling yourself, I will not allow myself to be controlled by this condition. The feeling of anger may keep coming back, but keep repeating those words, that you would not allow yourself to be controlled by the condition.

4. Forgive your offender by voicing it out, I have forgiven him or her. Do not say this to the offender, but say it to yourself. He may provoke you further if you say it to him or her.

CONFESSION

I have control over my temper. I am aware of the greatly negative effect of anger and would not allow it to frustrate my life.

FURTHER STUDIES

Proverbs 22:24- “Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate”,

Proverbs 29:11 -“A [self-confident] fool utters all his anger, but a wise man holds it back and stills it”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:26 NET” Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger”.

What is anger? Anger is an emotional state. It is an expression of the emotion showing dislike for an act, a thing or a situation. Different people express different degrees of anger. Anger may begin from an ordinary dislike for something to an outright rage. Anger becomes very dangerous to the one expressing it when anger turns to rage. It can shut up one’s ability to reason logically, cordially to do very stupid things. When anger stays in the heart longer than necessary, it possesses its victim and imprisons him or her. Some people have died in a state of rage

ANGER is very severe in a man who is full of himself. Such a person is very proud. Such a man thinks so highly of himself and feels so hurt about a mistreatment. The proud cannot rule their Spirit. Pro 16:32 NET “Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city”. Anger should not be a problem of a Christian. The Christian is Christ living through a man. His former self was crucified with Christ. (Gal 2:20) He cannot be full of himself any longer. He is now full of Christ (Some Christians unfortunately allow self to fill them)

What does the Christian who finds himself acting in anger do? Such a person must know that something alien or strange is functioning in him. He must also acknowledge that this attitude or character is incompatible with his true nature. He can use the principle in James 3:2. He must always declare the truth to himself. The truth is that, he has the nature of Christ and that he is filled with the fruit of the Spirit. He must say to himself always that he has absolute control over his temper. The scripture says, the man who speaks the truth (the word of God) to himself, would be able to control his whole body. Stop saying you have a bad temper. This is not true about you. You are now Christ in dwelt and should never accept any other contrary nature.

CONFESSION

I am crucified with Christ. He is presently alive in me. I have love joy, peace, self-control. I act always in consonance with the nature of Christ. I am quick to listen slow to speak and slow to wrath. Thanks be to God.

FURTHER STUDIES

James 3:2 NET “For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well”.

James 1:19 Net ” Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Eph 4:27 KJV” Neither give place to the devil”.

Our key scripture tells us not to give any place to the devil. A devil may come into your life when conditions are ripe. An evil person can gain assess into your life through anger. When Balak the king of Moab, wanted to defeat the Jews who had just come from Egypt, he hired Balaam a fortune teller to put a curse on them, so he could defeat them. This is what Balaam said, Num 23:21. There was no iniquity in Israel and so He could not curse them. He advised Balak to make the women of Moab to fornicate with the men of Israel. This will break the word of God and then a curse could easily come on them.

Evil people like witches or wizards also use this same strategy against some Christians they may be living together with. They know they cannot easily harm the Christian because of the protection of God. They will normally offend the Christian in such an unreasonable way, to make the Christian lose his temper and become angry. If the anger persists over a period then the scripture has been broken, giving grounds for this evil person to gain assess into the Christian’s life. Many children of God have suffered through this means. Be very careful about those who would offend you without any provocation. Do not fall for unnecessary provocations. When you are angry over such actions, don’t let the sun go down over your anger.

Quickly consider what God’s word says and turn away from the anger. Pro 19:11 KJV” The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. “In such times consider some of the insight in this study and put off the anger. Note: It is not every offender that is an evil witch or wizard. Don’t go looking for any, just do what the scripture says. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. I used the example of witches or wizards, just to show how the devil can easily have an advantage over you, and harm you through an uncontrolled anger.

.

CONFESSION

My eyes are opened and do not fall to the devices of the enemy. I have self-control and so no matter how much I am provoked, I control my anger and give no place to the devil.

FURTHER STUDIES

Gen 4:6 & 7 NET Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast?

Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.”

Proverbs 15:1 NET “A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:27 KJV “Neither give place to the devil”.

The preceding verse before our opening scripture is Ephesians 4:26 KJV” Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath”: It tells us that we can be angry at certain instances, yet we must not sin. Anger can be a necessary emotional expression that can be applied to correct certain anomalies of certain individuals.  If anger is allowed to linger on till the next day or days it would result in very wrong actions. The Bible says, it does not only causes us to sin, but the devil will have an advantage over us, and take a hold of our lives. When anger lingers in the heart unforgiveness sets in, and that leads to bitterness. Bitterness will set you up for demons to enter your life

 An uncontrolled anger makes you a puppet of the devil. Demons will dictate to you and lead you to do any abominable thing. Why are most people not able to control their anger? One reason is that, people are not able to separate a wrong action from the person who did the wrong thing. If you are able to see the wrong act differently from the person who committed it, you would direct your anger towards the act, leaving out the person. I mean your discipline would be directed towards reforming the individual. Such discipline would be out of love, although it may be stern, yet the person would not be destroyed.

 Discipline becomes punishment when anger is not controlled. (Punishment deforms, and discipline transforms). This happens when the offended sees the offender as the offense. In such a case bitterness will set in. The sight of the offender stirs up pain in the heart of the offended. The offended resolves that, the only way to heal that pain is to cause a similar pain to the offender or to keep the offender out of sight. This is what leads to divorces between couples and separations between some close friends and associates. Please heed to scriptural counsel, don’t let the sun go down on your anger.

CONFESSION

I may be angry, but the sun never goes down on my anger. I may dislike an action but will always love the person who committed the act. I never get bitter over any action, treatment or words, for the love of God has filled my heart. The devil never has an advantage over me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Prov. 19:11 KJV. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Prov. 16:32 KJV” He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city”.

KEY SCRIPTURE :1Timothy 6:12 KJV “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

God our Father expects us to take possession of every inheritance given to us. When the Israelite failed to drive out the inhabitants of the lands God gave them, He was not pleased with them. Judge 2:2 KJV” And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? “The Lord says any inheritance they failed to possess was an act of disobedience. Unbelief is the cause of lack of annexing one’s inheritance. In the mind of our Father God, every inheritance left us is ours and must be possessed. You can overcome every weakness. Peace of mind is yours, so possess it. Victory over demons is yours so possess it. Healing for your body is yours, so possess it.

 IF God has promised or pronounced any promise as yours, then, never accept any negative results as coming from God. You must stand to prevail. You must fight on till you win. Any failure does not come from God. Faith cannot fail. Faith takes a hold of the answer and brings it into reality. In the face of contrary situations never say you hope things will get better. This is a wrong way to fight the fight of faith. You rather say boldly, that the word of God has prevailed. Believe the word in your heart and say boldly what God’s word says.

The word is the sword of the Spirit which you use to fight. Eph 6:17 KJV” And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”: The more you say what God’s word says, the more you prevail over the enemy. Until you say what God has said nothing happens. When the devil tempted the master, the only way to overcome him was to keep repeating, it is written, then added what the word says. In such moments you must stop looking at the bad situation and rather look at what the word says. Remember it is your inheritance, and not something you are trying to get. It is Satan and his devils who want to rob you off what has been given to you. Don’t allow them.

CONFESSION

God’s word is ever in my mouth and in my heart. Every opposition is stopped and I walk in my inheritance. I win always because I live for God who is the ultimate receiver of every honor.

FURTHER STUDIES

1Samuel 17:47 KJV” And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands”.

Jeremiah 5:14 KJV” Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 6:12 KJV” Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

The Lord after delivering the Jews from the dominance of Egypt and Pharaoh gave the land of Canaan to them as their inheritance. These lands were inhabited by certain people, and they had to possess these lands by fighting and taking over. Our inheritance includes all that our Lord Jesus Christ through His death, obtained for us.

The following are just but a few of what the Lord Jesus through His death, obtained for us. They include:

Eternal life for us (John 3:16)

Forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7)

Healing for our bodies (Isaiah 53:4&5)

Peace of mind (Isaiah 53:5)

Authority over devils (Matt 28:18)

Holiness of life (Rom 6:14)

The authority of the name of Jesus (Mark 16:15)

And many more.

 Just as the Jews had to fight to possess their inheritance, we must also fight to possess our inheritance. Now notice this, our battle is not against demons: our battle is called, the fight of faith. The word of God did say, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual entities. The goal of these forces is to dethrone your faith in the word of God, so they could properly deal with you.  So long as your faith in God and His word is firm, NO ENEMY CAN PUT YOU DOWN. Mark 9:23 KJV “Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”.

YOUR fight to possess your inheritance is the fight of faith, as stated in our key scripture (1st Tim 6:12). The fight of faith is the ability to hold on to what God has said, irrespective of what may be happening physically. In the midst of any crises or pursuit to take your inheritance, for example your health. Your focus must be your confidence in all that God has said about your healing, and simultaneously refusing to consider the symptoms. The devil may worsen the symptoms, but don’t look and consider them, they are false vanities. Jonah 2:8 KJV” They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy “. Your mercy is the healing God has provided already, yet if you worry, consider the symptoms, which the Bible calls lying vanities you can’t possess that inheritance which is legally yours.

Get these facts. 1 The devil and his demons are not the problem.

2.The difficulty, challenge or the trouble is also not the problem.

3.The real issue is to maintain your faith in God in the midst of all contrary evidences.

CONFESSION

The Lord Jesus conquered and gave me the victory. I possess every blessing or heritage he has already won. I refuse to consider any contrary evidence, and rather praise the Lord for my inheritance.

FURTHER STUDIES

Deut 2:24 KJV” Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle”.

Joshua 1:5 KJV “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”