Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional, 25th February, 2019,
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Dsc DD,
SPIRIT-CONTROLLED AT ALL TIMES,
…be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him (Ephesians 5:18 AMP).
A dear lady was very angry with another Christian sister, and as they bandied words, she said to her neighbour, “Any more word from you, I will drop this Bible, and smack your face!” Meanwhile, she wasn’t holding a physical Bible, but she meant that she’d keep aside whatever caution the Bible gives, and hit her.
What does that show? It shows the Word wasn’t yet in her heart; it was still in the Bible. When the Word is in you, you can’t drop it; it’s your life. Every Christian wants, and should live the life that’s Spirit-ruled and Spirit-controlled; the life that’s filled with God. That’s
what Christianity is: Christ alive and at work in you, such that you’re always under the sway and regulation of the Spirit; not such things as anger, wrath and malice.
Don’t be controlled by your feelings or emotions; be Spirit-ruled. It makes no difference how angry you are; hold yourself in; it’s called in 2 Peter 1:6 “egkrateia” (Greek). The Bible says, “Be ye angry, and sin not…” (Ephesians 4:26). In other words, “Manage your anger.” You can be tempted to be angry, tempted to act in a way that’s inappropriate for a Christian, but if you walk in the spirit, you’ll not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
How do you walk in the spirit? It’s by walking in the Word of God; walking in the light of God’s Word. You’re in Christ now; walk in love. Be Spirit-ruled, and Spirit-controlled at all times. Read our opening verse again and notice how often we should be filled with the Spirit: always! When you’re filled with the Spirit, you have a Spirit-controlled life. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION
I’m full of the Spirit. I’m patient and full of divine wisdom; I express the beauty and excellence of divinity through my words and actions every day, being continually led of the Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 8:13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Galatians 5:25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:1 NIV
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 7:1-23 & Leviticus 26-27
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matthew 17: 22-27 & Exodus 6