12/8/18

Getting (Back) To God’s Design For You!

Proverbs 20:27; Matthew 22:37-30; John 3:3-7; Mark 2:22; II Corinthians 5:17

It is evident that the Bible reveals humans as a being consisting of spirit,

soul, and body. What is clearly not as evident is that many psychological
problems are attributable to the misalignment of these three facets of
mankind. This misalignment results in human lives that are out of sync with
God’s original design of us. By realigning these three components such
that they function as God intended, men can lay hold onto God’s design for
us.

The proper flow of influence is as follows: the Holy Spirit informs the human
spirit which in turn governs the human soul and causes the body to fall in
line. Only under these circumstances will an individual be able to function
as God desired them to function. Without proper alignment, the soul alone
drives a person instead of the spirit. A soul uncontrolled by the life-giving
force of the Holy Spirit is carnal due to the transmission of sin/death after
Adam’s fall.

Let’s put this into concrete terms. If a person does not have the Holy Spirit
within them their soul is in control and their spirit is dead (separated from
God). The soul houses the mind, emotions, and will. The human spirit
houses the conscience, intuition, and the center of fellowship with God.
Without the Holy Spirit, people’s minds and emotions are driven by their
physical lusts (ie sexual, pleasure, etc.) and sensual desires instead of by
the spirit and Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit, men can still choose to not
fully submit to the work of the Spirit within their new spirit, and thus act
carnally. (Just as new wine is put into new wineskins, the Holy Spirit is
placed into a new spirit within man upon being born of the spirit. Being a
new creature involves being given a new spirit and a possessing a
progressively renewed mind).
Instead, choose to receive (by repentance) and submit to the Holy Spirit!
By doing so, you will progressively become aligned with God’s design for
you. What is that design? Briefly it involves 5 things: holiness, being a
witness, sonship, priesthood, and sainthood. It involves prosperity (natural
and physical) and being blessed (which means being empowered) in this
life and the next. It also involves soundness, peace of mind, and financial
viability. How can you receive the Holy Spirit? Follow Acts 2:38-39 by
repenting of your sins. Repentance means being sorry to God for offending
Him through your habitual sinning. Once you repent, God promises to give
you a new spirit and fill that spirit with the Holy Spirit.

If you have yet to receive the tongue-talking Holy Spirit, get to God’s design
for you. If you have the Holy Spirit, get (back) to God’s design for you by
submission to His Spirit. Don’t just exist, but thrive!