RSS

Category Archives: Prayer in the Spirit

Building Up Your Faith

18 Mar
Building Up Your Faith

Build Up Your Faith

We’ve been studying the epistle of Jude. He’s telling us how to avoid the traps of false teachers.

In my last post, Jude dealt with the difference between ministry in the natural versus ministry in the spirit. So it’s important to note that this next verse follows right on the heels of that concept.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:20

What you need to note about this verse is that the word and is not in the Greek text. It should read, build yourselves up…praying in the Holy Spirit. What we need to realize is that God wants to explain things to us on His level.

In my last post, we saw from Paul’s writings, that it’s through prayer in the spirit that we receive wisdom and revelation beyond our natural understanding. We can tap into the mind of the Holy Spirit.

When I pray in the gift, I build up my most holy faith. This is the faith that’s resident in my spirit. It’s a faith that goes beyond what I know about the Scripture or the situation I’m in.

There are times when there may not even be a Biblical verse that covers my situation. What do I do then? I pray in the Spirit. This helps me to trust God when there seems to be no earthly reason to put my faith in Him. It’s a faith that goes beyond what my mind can understand.

This an important concept, especially when taken in the context of this whole letter. If you remember, Jude’s reason for writing this is get us to “contend for the faith” that was entrusted to us.

That should remind us of something. He’s not the only Biblical writer to talk about the battle we’re in.

In Ephesians, chapter 6, Paul talks about the spiritual battle that’s taking place around us. He shows us the Armor of God that we have access to. Then, he concludes with these words.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:17-18 NIV

I am looking at these two verses because in the Greek original, they’re all one long sentence. Another important point is that the original actually says “through” or “by means of prayer in the spirit”.

Paul talks about our battle with the enemy while Jude deals with battling false teaching. But in both cases, they equipped themselves for battle the same way.

We face battles every day. There are many directions that the attack may come from. It could be our flesh, the world system, or the demonic kingdom.

In all cases, we prepare for this struggle in the same way. Both Paul and Jude talked about their battles. They were two different people in two different struggles. Yet they both concluded that it was prayer in the spirit that would prepare them for victory.

I don’t know how anybody could read this and say that the gift of tongues is not for today. We can’t win the victory without it.

Prepare for the battles you’re about to face. Spend some quality time praying in the spirit.

Question: How much time are you spending in prayer for what you’ll face this year?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 18, 2026 in Faith, Ministry, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk, Spiritual Warfare

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Natural vs Spiritual

16 Mar
Natural vs Spiritual

As we read through Jude’s letter to the church, he begins to show us the differences that need to separate us from the false teachers. It’s a very important concept.

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

Jude 17-19 NIV

This is an age-old problem that we’ve faced in the church. It’s the difference between serving God in the natural versus serving Him in the spirit.

It’s important for us to understand the phrase, natural instincts, in this context. Jude uses the Greek word from which we get words like psychology. It speaks of the mind.

When you only use your mind in the worship and service of Christ, you end up getting only the results that mankind can do. If you want to see supernatural results, then you must minister in the spirit.

The Apostle Paul understood this intimately.

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV

The phrase, without the Spirit, in the above verse is the same Greek word that Jude uses for natural instinct. It should really be translated as the soulish man. It’s just living for Christ with what you can figure out on your own.

You need to be able to tap into the Holy Spirit if you want to fully understand God’s will. That will require you to spend some time praying in the spirit.

However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” — but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV

There are so many who just don’t want to come to grips with this verse. The fact is that you can read the whole Bible from cover to cover (and you should!) and you can hear every sermon ever preached. You can brainstorm for the next ten years and you still won’t know God’s total plan for your life.

The only way to know what God has prepared for us to accomplish is time spent with the Holy Spirit. That’s where He can reveal to us His heart.

The Galatian church was struggling with this truth.

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Galatians 3:2-3 NIV

So much of what we see in the church today is the result of human effort. Don’t let that be your legacy. Live and minister by the spirit. Spend time with the Holy Spirit and don’t follow your own human natural instinct.

Question: How much time do you spend in the presence of the Lord?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 16, 2026 in Leadership, Ministry, Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Experiencing God’s Work

16 Feb
Experiencing God’s Work

We’re now going through the epistle of Jude, that tiny book toward the end of the Bible. He helps us to understand and identify false teachers and preachers in the body of Christ.

Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals — these are the very things that destroy them.

Jude 10 NIV

This is a very important verse that we need to pay careful attention to. Again, the word he uses for speak abusively against is the Greek word for blaspheme. But, what is it that they blaspheme in this verse?

That word, understand, literally means to know by seeing. In other words, they blaspheme things that they haven’t personally experienced.

Jude goes on to say that these people have a level of understanding. The Greek words that he uses mean that the knowledge they stand upon is in the natural.

That’s an important concept. He says that this natural knowledge will cause them to shrivel, wither, and become ruined.

The Apostle Paul dealt with this exact same issue in his first letter to the Corinthians.

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV

That phrase, man without the spirit, is literally natural or soulish man in the Greek. In other words, like Jude tells us, they don’t accept what they don’t understand.

I’ve seen this many times in my ministry. If you were to label me, I’d be called a Charismatic preacher. That means I’ve received the baptism in the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues.

I regularly pray in the spirit (in tongues). I know, by experience that I cannot minister fully in God’s power without it.

However, I also know that there are many believers who haven’t experienced this manifestation in their lives. I don’t judge them or look down on them.

But, there are also those who preach and teach against this experience. Many of them go as far as to say that what I experience is of Satan. I have a big problem with this.

I’m about to say something that may sound like I’m bragging. I assure you I’m not because it’s all based upon the power of God and not my own strength or intelligence.

I have brought many people into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I have laid my hands on the sick and have seen them healed in the name of Jesus Christ. I have cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ.

Why would the devil ever allow me to do that if I was operating in the power of the enemy. Like Jesus said to His accusers…

“If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?”

Matthew 12:26 NIV

I believe Jude is talking about this. These people are blaspheming what they haven’t experienced. We need to be very careful about how we treat others in the body of Christ, especially if we don’t understand their ministries.

Question: How do you respond when you hear someone preaching against other ministries?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
3 Comments

Posted by on February 16, 2026 in Power of God, The Church, Ministry, Healing, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Pray Before Speaking

12 Feb
Pray Before Speaking

As we go through the book of Colossians, we’ve come to chapter 4. This is the final chapter of this short letter. You may want to read this chapter before continuing with this post.

In Colossians, chapter 4, Paul is giving some final exhortations and then he greets a number of people who will be receiving this. His first statement is about prayer.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2 NIV

Paul first gives us a general call to prayer. He gives us three important aspects of prayer. Devotion, watchfulness, and thankfulness. This is what our prayer times should look like.

The word, devote, means to be diligent. Prayer is not something to be neglected. It’s the most important part of your day, as a believer.

The Creator of the universe has given us total access to His throne. How can we neglect that great gift.

But, more than that, we need to be watchful, awake and alert. Our Lord is not simply a God who listens. He wants to speak to us as well. We need to be attentive for His voice in our spirit.

Finally, the apostle talks about thankfulness. That must be our overall attitude towards God. So often we stress over the little stuff. We get upset because we didn’t get a good parking space at the mall.

Don’t let that carryover into your times with the Lord. Come with a grateful attitude for the grace He has bestowed on you.

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Colossians 4:3-4 NIV

Then Paul exhorts them to pray for him. Specifically, so that he can proclaim Christ effectively. That’s important.

Instead of criticizing what church leadership says and does, we need to be praying for them. Pray for open doors of ministry. Pray for the effectiveness of what they say and do. Pray that they have clear direction and wisdom from God.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:5-6 NIV

In this final part, Paul doesn’t specifically mention prayer, but I think it’s implied. How else can we walk in wisdom? James tells us that it comes through prayer (James 1:5).

If we start in the place of prayer, then we have the wisdom and grace that Paul talks about. Too often we answer out of our own thoughts or emotions. That usually causes more problems than it solves.

This is the best advice Paul could give us. Prayer first. When we prepare our hearts with prayer, the day goes a lot smoother.

In the final part of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he greets a number of people. In part of his encouragement, he mentions their pastor again.

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

Colossians 4:12 NIV

Prayer changes things. We need to be diligent to see all of God’s will accomplished in us. So, the book of Colossians closes with a clear call to prayer.

Question: How consistent is your prayer life?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on February 12, 2024 in Leadership, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Your New Clothes (Part 1)

22 Jan
Your New Clothes (Part 1)

Going through the book of Colossians, Paul has been writing about the changes God accomplishes in us. In my last post I looked at who we are in Christ. Today we’ll see what we’ve been endued with.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12 NIV

One thing that I want to point out from the start is the fact that the apostle says clothe yourselves. This is not something that we just sit back and wait for the Lord to do. I have to initiate it.

I’ve talked about this many times in the past. It happens as we pray in the spirit. These things are the characteristics of a walk in the spirit.

Compassion. This is a very important concept. The literal Greek words used for this is bowels of mercies.

That might not sound good to our modern ears. To the ancient people, the bowels spoke of the seat of our emotions. It’s a lot like we use the word, heart, today.

Many times, we don’t understand the way the word mercy is used in the Bible. In the past, I’ve talked about it in great detail. To see my series on mercy, click here.

To sum it up, mercy is God’s blessing on our obedience. However, unlike how we see things, the Lord even blesses us based upon our future obedience.

That’s where this comes into play in our ministries. I have to allow myself to be emotionally moved to see the potential in someone’s life. I need to see them through the eyes of faith – serving God at their best.

Even if they’re not where they should be right now, mercy can be a blessing and encouragement to them. It may spur them forward to a deeper walk with the Lord.

Kindness. This characteristic goes right along the same lines as compassion. If you study how this word is used in Scripture, you’ll come to the conclusion that kindness is blessing those who don’t deserve it.

Paul talked about this in the book of Romans in the context of not judging others.

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?

Romans 1:32 NIV

With God, He wasn’t kind to us after we repented, but before, when we were undeserving of His grace. That’s how we need to treat others.

Of course, that’s why we need the power of God in our lives. Blessing people who we believe don’t deserve it goes against human nature.

Humility. This is another one that I’ve talked about in the past. There are many who get the wrong idea of humility. They think that it’s holy to put themselves down.

“I’m not where I should be in Christ.”

“I’m not mature enough to serve.”

Humility has nothing to do with any of this.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 NIV

True humility is not about putting yourself down. It has everything to do with how you view others. Your desire should be to lift others up.

In my next post, I’ll continue with these characteristics.

Question: How well do you see these play out in your life?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 22, 2024 in Faith, Legalism, Ministry, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

A Change of Clothing

17 Jan
A Change of Clothing

As we go through the book of Colossians, Paul is giving practical insight in serving God. In my last post we saw that we can put to death the misdeeds of the flesh through the spirit.

We have to move forward with this understanding.

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Colossians 3:7-8 NIV

We cannot just take these verses out of context. This is not just a set of rules for how we are to speak to one another. As I said in the previous posts, trying to follow the rules doesn’t change your behavior.

It’s clear from this passage, that Paul is speaking about the sins of our mouths. We need to change our speech patterns. However, we know from Scripture that controlling our speech is beyond our ability (James 3:7-8). Victory over our tongue can only be accomplished in the spirit.

The apostle now shows us the only clear path ahead.

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:9-10 NIV

In these simple verses we’re shown the best way to change for the better. It involves two important words. In this passage they’re translated taken off and put on.

Both of these words, in the Greek, deal with clothing. The first means to step out of your clothing. The second means to sink into them. That’s important.

In the natural it would be silly for me to tell you that you have to take off what you’re wearing, in order to put on something new. But that’s not the case in the church.

There are many believers who desperately try to hang on to their old way of life. At the same time they want to “wear” some of the blessings found in Christ. That doesn’t work.

We have to submit to the working of the Holy Spirit in us. As we pray in the spirit, the Lord is able to remove the old, dead way of life we were living. Then, as we continue in Him, He clothes us in the new man, renewing our mind day by day.

His goal is that we show forth His glory. God wants the world to see His image active and working through us. That’s what will draw people to the Lord.

The good news is that it has nothing to do with who you were. The past has no bearing on your future.

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Colossians 3:11 NIV

Everything is washed clean under the blood of Christ. How you were brought up has no hold on you. Your past life with all of its baggage, burdens and bondage can’t hold you back. That is, if you’re willing to change your old “clothes” for the new set in Christ.

Allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in your life. It will make you a whole new person.

Question: How has your life changed by the spirit?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
1 Comment

Posted by on January 17, 2024 in Legalism, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , ,

From Death to Glory

15 Jan
From Death to Glory

We’re going through the book of Colossians. Paul is writing to them about their walk with Christ. It’s a relationship that changes everything about them…and us.

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:4 NIV

In my last post, I talked about having an upward attitude. That’s because we know how it will all end. We win! In Christ there is the expectation of the final victory.

But what about here and now. Paul tells us how to live with this knowledge.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

Colossians 3:5-6 NIV

This is an important truth. Please read this carefully. Paul did NOT tell these people to stop doing these things. I know from experience that you can’t just make a New Year’s resolution and live perfectly forever after.

It’s not as easy as simply making a decision to live right. We need to draw on supernatural power. That’s what Paul is referring to here. He wrote about it to the Roman church.

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live…

Romans 8:13 NIV

This is a very interesting verse. That’s because it contains the word, “if”. This verse is telling us something we either could do, or we could choose to ignore.

There’s a battle that rages in my being. Even though I’m saved, my flesh is still subject to its sin nature. I find that even though I’m dead to sin in Christ, I continue to fall to the temptations that come before me. Paul wrote about this struggle that we all face. How do I overcome this dilemma?

Many people try differing methods to bring about the victory. Some try to live right in their own strength. I’ve found that if I live trying to use my flesh to overcome my flesh, by shear will power, I’ll fail miserably. The above verse tells us that if I use my flesh, then death will reign in me. The problem is, to use a computer term, there’s a virus in the software.

The good news is that I can use the power of God’s Spirit. I can use my spirit to put to death the misdeeds of the flesh. This is a truth that we’ve missed in the modern church. You can use your spirit to change your flesh.

In simple terms, as you pray in the spirit, you place a demand on the Holy Spirit and it will change the way you live. This is a powerful change because you’re allowing God to change you from the inside out.

I’ve to come to the understanding that I can take authority over the flesh by the power of the spirit. This is the key to a whole new level of living.

This work is only accomplished in the spirit. The misdeeds of my body will never be put to death by any decision that I make – no matter how much I desire it. I can try and try in my own strength. The work is a spiritual breakthrough and only comes as I yield my spirit to the Holy Spirit.

The church needs to once again learn this truth. We need to submit to the Holy Spirit to perform the change in our hearts. Only then will the world see the difference that will draw them to the cross of Christ. Only then will we experience the revival that we so desperately hunger for.

Question: How often do you pray in the spirit?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 15, 2024 in Legalism, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Rules vs. Relationship

10 Jan
Rules vs. Relationship

As we go through Colossians, Paul is now dealing with the subject of legalism. When the rules of life become more important than relationship with the Father, there’s something wrong.

Paul continues with this thought.

Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?

Colossians 2:20-21 NIV

Paul brings us to the heart of the matter. We died with Christ. We’re a new creation. We don’t live according to the old way of life.

The world system has a way of doing things. It establishes rules for everything. Some of these rules are good and beneficial.

Go to work every day. Brush your teeth. Clean your room.

But then, there are other rules that society tries to place on us. Rules about what’s right and wrong. Rules about how to treat people. (“I can be mean to them if they’re mean to me.”)

Of course, there are religious rules. Read your Bible, pray, tithe, go to church. While all of these are good things, they don’t define a deep spiritual walk.

Paul talks about the rules of don’t handle, taste, or touch. None of that is relationship.

For instance, in the book of Genesis, God created Adam and Eve and told them not to eat of the certain tree. When Eve explained it to the serpent, she said they weren’t supposed to touch the tree (Genesis 3:3).

That change may have sounded good to her, but it didn’t stop her from eating it. That’s because the focus went to the tree, instead of her relationship with God. Paul tells us that this happens the same way with us.

These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Colossians 2:22-23 NIV

Setting up rules for ourselves sounds like the logical thing to do. The problem is that they don’t change behavior.

I can tell you this from my own experience. I’ve gone on a lot of diets over the years. They all promised great results if you follow their eating rules. However, they all fell short of changing my behavior.

I do notice something else. The more I hang out with my friends, the more I become like them. I start to speak and think like they do. The truth is that relationships change who you are.

That’s the key. The more time you spend with the Lord through the Holy Spirit, the more you’ll see your life change for the better. Relationship with God always wins out over rules.

Question: How strong is your relationship with the Lord?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 10, 2024 in Legalism, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , ,

Relationship is Better Than Rules

05 Jan
Relationship is Better Than Rules

We’re looking at the book of Colossians. In my last post I talked about the power of the cross of Christ. It was there that He won the victory for our salvation. Today, I want to write about another aspect of those verses.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13-15 NIV

This passage makes it abundantly clear that on the cross, Christ canceled – obliterated, blotted out – the rule book. God no longer wants us to follow Him by rule, but by the Spirit.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

1 Corinthians 15:56 NIV

This verse tells me that all of Satan’s so-called power comes from the law. His only mode of attack is to enforce the law. That’s the power of his weaponry.

This verse also shows the basis of how Christ could disarm the demonic forces. On the cross, Christ obliterated the power source of the enemy. Satan’s kingdom is now an army of unloaded guns.

The only power they have is the power we give them, by subjecting ourselves, once again, to the law. That’s the trouble with our human nature. We all want rules. We’d rather someone tell us, “Do this.”, than to spend time with the Father and seek His will.

In the past, I’ve shared about how following the apostles teaching as a rule opens us up to the sin of pride.

Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.

1 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

Here, Paul tells us that this is why many speak arrogantly against one another. Pride is the sin that caused the devil to fall from the place he was created for.

Don’t let subjection to the law ruin your walk with God. The tendency of using the Bible as a rule-book causes many divisions and problems in the Body of Christ.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Colossians 2:16-17 NIV

Using the Bible as a rule book causes most of the arguments we see between believers. We get so passionate about our own pet rules. It’s all talked about in this verse.

Believers argue about what Christians can or cannot eat and drink. There are controversies over whether or not to celebrate Christmas; or whether to worship God on Saturday or Sunday. None of these issues have any place under the New Covenant.

The reality is that God wants a relationship with His children. He’s not looking for robots. The Lord wants us to seek time with Him so that He can teach us to follow Him.

I realize that I’ve had to deal with this subject very quickly here. But I’m sure I’ll get back to it again in future posts.

Question: What divisions have you seen in the church over what the “rules” are?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 5, 2024 in Faith, Legalism, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Our Spiritual Surgeon

27 Dec
Our Spiritual Surgeon

As we’ve been going through the book of Colossians, we see a picture of who Christ is in all of His glory. We also see our relationship to Him.

Now, there’s something that Paul is hoping you’ll move into by faith. Paul describes this step to the Colossian church.

In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

Colossians 2:11-12 NIV

This is what we want to concentrate on – the putting off of the sinful nature. According to Paul, this is a surgical procedure that can only be done by Christ.

It isn’t a work I can perform. It doesn’t matter how much will-power I put forth. Only Christ, Himself, can bring it to pass in my life. I must submit under the blade of the divine Surgeon.

There are two prerequisites to this surgery. The first is baptism and the second is faith in the power of God. This means that I can’t look to myself and how well I can obey God. It’s all about how much I trust His power working in my life. How much am I willing to surrender to Him?

It’s the same as in the natural world. If I don’t trust the surgeon in a medical procedure, then I will not allow them to put me under the anesthesia. I’ll only let someone I trust have that much power over my body. Do we trust Christ enough to consent to His life changing work in us?

No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.

Romans 2:29 NIV

There’s another key point to this work of Christ in us. It can only be done in the spirit. It’s not something that I can physically accomplish. Neither is it a choice that I make in my mind.

The change is required in my heart. The old self has to be removed. How can my sin nature remove itself? It would never willingly choose to do that.

To get the old sin nature out of our heart requires outside assistance. That’s why it’s a work that only Christ can do, and it must be a spiritual work.

It’s for this reason that an understanding of the Word of God as a sword is so important.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

The sword of the spirit is the scalpel that performs the work in our heart. In the past I’ve emphasized that the things of the spirit can only be received through prayer in the spirit. This is the work that needs to be done in us. It’s a work that must be done in the spirit. Only prayer in the spirit will accomplish the change that’s necessary in our hearts.

In order for God to do this work in us, we must yield ourselves to Him. As in any surgery, we must willingly go under the knife if our healing is to take place. This is true for our spiritual surgery as well.

Question: How has prayer in the spirit changed your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 27, 2023 in Faith, Legalism, Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

← Older posts