You’re Already in a War

There’s a lot of talk about war right now. Headlines. Social media. Fear everywhere. But as believers, we should never panic, for God is in control. What we must be is aware. Because whether you know it or not, you’re already in a war—a spiritual war. And this war affects both this life and the next.

Every war is fought in battles, so here are five key battles you're engaged in every single day:

#1. The battle for your mind

The enemy attacks your peace, joy, and clarity.

“But don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT)

When you are grounded in the Word, your mind becomes steady. Even when life feels like it's spinning, clarity comes through communion with God. Win the battle for your mind by grounding yourself in the truth of God’s Word. In this spiritual discipline, do not give up any ground. The Word. Every day. No exceptions. No excuses.

#2. The battle for your purity

Temptation is not an event—it’s a process. In regard to purity, there are three major areas we battle daily:

We win the battle for sexual purity when we flee from temptation instead of debating with it.

“Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”  – 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (NLT)

We win the battle for purity of speech by practicing wisdom and self-control.

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” – Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

And we win the battle for pure motives when we remain aware of God’s watchful, knowing gaze.

“People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.”  – Proverbs 16:2 (NLT)

#3. The battle for your relationships

To win the battle in the area of your relationships, be aware of how others are influencing you.

“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT)

Yes, avoid ungodly influences, but also be sure to intentionally invest in godly relationships. Don’t be so reclusive and difficult to reach that you push people away. Don’t settle for shallow connections. Invest in godly friendships. Cut off ungodly influences.

#4. The battle for your attention

Respect yourself. Respect the time God has given you. Remain aware of your own mortality. Assess how much time you’re wasting. Rest? Of course. Waste? Never.

Where does your time go? Budget your time like you budget your money. Conserve your energy as a valuable resource, because it is. Spend your attention wisely, because the enemy is trying to get you to entertain your life away, sleep your life away, and waste your time.

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12 (NLT)

#5. The battle for your calling

This battle may be one of the most overlooked because it doesn’t always come with a loud temptation or emotional moment. It comes subtly through insecurity, hesitation, and doubt.

You may already know what God has placed in your heart to do. It could be something public like preaching or leading, or something more behind the scenes like writing, creating, starting a ministry, or simply stepping up in your community or church. But right when you're about to move forward, that internal voice starts speaking: “You’re not qualified. Someone else could do it better. Who do you think you are?”

The enemy fights your calling by making you focus on your flaws. He’ll replay every failure, every flaw, every reason why it shouldn’t be you. And what’s worse, we often mistake our own insecurity for humility. But real humility says, “I can’t do this without God”—not “I can’t do this at all.”

You might question whether you’re the one God could use. So did Moses.

“But Moses pleaded with the Lord, ‘O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though You have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.’ Then the Lord asked Moses, ‘Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.’”  – Exodus 4:10–12 (NLT)

So don’t wait until you feel confident. Don’t stall until all the pieces are in place. If God told you to do it, take the step. Speak when He says speak. Move when He says move. Your obedience will unlock the guidance you're asking for.

This is how you win the battle for your calling: not by waiting for perfect conditions, but by surrendering your fear and taking faithful steps forward. The enemy hopes you’ll sit on your assignment. Heaven is waiting for you to walk in it.

For more about this topic, watch “You're Already in a War (And You Don't Even Know It)” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Word Without the Spirit

The Word of God is perfect — but without the Holy Spirit, even the perfect Word can be misunderstood.

Scripture isn’t just meant to be studied intellectually; it must be received spiritually. It’s not just about memorizing verses — it’s about encountering the Person behind them.

When the Word is read without the Spirit, it can become cold, mechanical, even burdensome. But when the Holy Spirit breathes on the Word, it comes alive. It pierces the heart. It transforms the soul.

“But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)

That’s why we don’t just need knowledge — we need revelation.

The same Bible that brings freedom to one person can feel like chains to another — the difference is the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let Him guide you into truth. Let Him teach you what the text truly means.

The Word and the Spirit always work together. Never separate the two.

For more about this topic watch, “6 Ways the Devil Uses the Bible to Deceive You” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Who You Are in Secret

It’s easy to act spiritual in front of people. Easy to quote verses, raise hands in worship, or speak eloquently about faith when others are watching. But who are you in secret?

In Hebrews 4:13, we’re reminded that “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes.” That means the version of you that no one else sees—the one behind closed doors—is the real you.

When the Holy Spirit begins transforming you, that transformation doesn’t just show up in how you behave at church or on your best days. It shows up in how you behave in the dark. It shows up in the decisions you make when there’s no applause, no accountability, no instant reward.

Do you still keep your word when it’s inconvenient and nobody would ever know you broke it? Do you shut down that browser tab—not because someone might walk in, but because your heart longs to please God? Do you treat strangers with kindness when there’s nothing to gain and no one to impress?

That’s the mark of true transformation. That’s the fruit of the Spirit working in you. Because when you’re not “on” for anyone, that’s the moment your true self steps forward.

And if you’re starting to notice a shift in those private moments—if you're pausing before sin, leaning into integrity, repenting faster, or pursuing righteousness out of a genuine love for God—that’s no small thing. That’s the Holy Spirit. And He’s doing deep work.

So don’t just evaluate your walk with God based on your public performance. Examine the private places too. Because God does. And those are often the clearest signs that He’s transforming you from the inside out.

Let your secret life be the strongest testimony of your spiritual progress because the most authentic version of you is the one who kneels when no one’s watching.

For more about this topic watch, “9 Signs the Holy Spirit is Transforming You Right Now (And You Don't Even Realize It)” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Holy Spirit: Faithful Friend

I love the Holy Spirit, and I love being associated with the Holy Spirit. But people often ask me why I focus so much on the Person of the Holy Spirit.

I can give you several reasons.

Firstly, God gave me a clear mandate: “Introduce my Holy Spirit to your generation.” Of course, as an evangelist, I preach the gospel message of salvation as my primary message, but when it comes to the building of believers, this is my area of grace: to teach on truths concerning the Holy Spirit, healing, faith, prayer, spiritual warfare, and similar themes. I often focus on the Holy Spirit, because that’s what I’ve been directed to do.

Secondly, when I was born, my parents prayed a very special prayer over me: they asked that God would make me sensitive to the Holy Spirit. I believe the ministry I serve in today is an answer to the prayer of my parents.

But there’s another reason why I’m so passionate about teaching and preaching on the Holy Spirit - He’s my friend. This Bible verse absolutely changed my life:

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” - 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NLT)

Think about that - the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit. This means that we commune with Him or share a friendship with Him. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray, to worship, to live holy, to understand God’s Word. He remains with us despite our many flaws. He encourages us, helps us, inspires us, and corrects us. And, yes, He loves us. If that isn’t a good friend, I don’t know what is.

When I first learned about friendship with the Holy Spirit, I was in an awkward stage of life. As many feel in their early teens, I felt disconnected from others, lonely, and like I wasn’t accepted. Insecure and full of self-doubt, I met Him - the Holy Spirit. He is the friend above all friends. He met me when I needed a friend.- that is the source of my passion for Him. 

The Holy Spirit is not off in the distance; He faithfully abides. This means that you can call upon Him to empower you in even the most mundane moments of life. As a friend is there for you to call upon, so the Holy Spirit has made Himself available to you. 

When you are driving to work, He is in the car with you. When you are spending time with loved ones, He is in the midst of you. When you are carrying out an errand, He is in the busyness with you. Day or night, in sorrow and in joy, He is present.

He doesn’t just empower preachers and prophets. 

He empowers us in all that we do. He wants to empower husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, business people, employees, and students. The Holy Spirit is the Expert Spirit, and His touch improves every action of the believer.

As you go through each moment, whether you’re facing a trial or a blessing, no matter your emotional or mental state, I want you to say as I say, because it’s true. Say this: I am a friend of the Holy Spirit.

For more about the Holy Spirit, you can get my new book, “Holy Spirit: God Within You,” by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

People of Prayer

What does it mean to be a people of prayer?

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. “- Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

People of prayer don’t just pray occasionally; for them, prayer is a lifestyle. They wake up praying, fall asleep praying, and they carve out time in their day to pray. They don’t surrender their time in prayer for anyone or anything. And they are marked by certain godly traits. Because they devote themselves to prayer so fully, their spiritual qualities stand out like bright lights.

People of prayer are centered, grounded in a confident faith that makes them stand firm in times of great shaking. When everyone else is panicking, arguing, and losing their peace, people of prayer have their minds fixed on the Lord. In times of tragedy, people of prayer are pressed but not crushed, hurt but still composed. In times of lack, they trust. In times of confusion, they patiently wait. In times of calamity, they find safety in God’s presence.

People of prayer forgive their offenders faster than they can apologize. They see the best in others, because they see with the eyes of the Spirit. They don’t demand their own way. They don’t need the last word. They are selfless, patient with the difficult ones.

They radiate with holy joy, and those who come around them are set free from heaviness. 

People of prayer walk in true power. They pray out sickness and cast out devils. 

People of prayer can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit with both confidence and clarity. They don’t question Him when He speaks, and they’re quick to act on His instruction.

People of prayer love the Word of God, and they can discern when an idea is religious, demonic, or of the world. 

People of prayer believe extravagantly, give generously, love unconditionally, forgive freely, and walk with God. I pray that we all would become people of prayer.

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “5 Prayers that Bring You Closer to the Holy Spirit (Immediately),” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Breaking Free From Bitterness

Bitterness is called a root because it grows and produces all kinds of unhealthy fruit.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. - Hebrews 12:15 (NLT)

Bitterness is the root. Its fruit can be anger, cynicism, loss of joy, frustration, and a lack of patience. Do you carry an atmosphere of tension around you? Are you defensive, irritated, and moody? Do people feel as though they have to speak and act with extreme care around you?

Sometimes, the reason people project tension, moodiness, and anger is to protect themselves from being hurt or offended again. After all, if you can keep people at a distance, they can’t hurt you. Like the body naturally recoils or maneuvers to avoid contact with an injured part, so the soul develops a method of defense.

Why We’re Bitter

Perhaps you were legitimately hurt. It may very well be that you were truly wronged. Maybe something was done to you, maybe someone spoke something to you - it can also be that someone wasn’t there for you in the way they should have been. Your pain and anger may very well be justifiable. 

On the other hand, there are those who allow themselves to be offended by trivial things. I by no means am trying to belittle anyone’s pain. But you have to consider this angle too: perhaps you were just being too sensitive and emotional about something. Sometimes it’s not the experience but rather the way you perceive an experience that leads to bitterness and offense.

Only fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge. - Ecclesiastes 7:9 (CEV)

So there are some who have been truly wronged, and then there are some who only perceive themselves to have been wronged. But regardless of why you carry hurt, anger, and offense, it’s so important that you realize that there is freedom available to you. The answer is simple, but it is not easy.

The Answer

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. - Mark 11:25 (NLT)

Forgiveness is the key to freedom. Now, again, it’s not my goal to be insensitive, but it would be terribly unloving of me to withhold the truth from you. If you want to be free, you need to forgive. There’s really no way around it. To forgive is to let go.

You may still feel the emotion of the offense. You may still feel the anger of the offense. Thankfully, forgiveness is not an emotion, it’s a decision. 

Twisted Teachings 

Just let it go. People don’t like that phrase: “Just let it go.” That phrase seems so insensitive, so harsh, so simplistic. But that’s the key. “Just let it go” isn’t what people want to hear. I know what people want to hear. They want to hear what modern preaching tells them. Modern preaching says, “You can’t just tell people to let it go. You don’t know their story. You haven’t been in their shoes.” Now, they never really come out right and say it, but some preachers are essentially telling you that you have a right to un-forgiveness. The problem is that’s just not the truth. As people who have been crucified with Christ, we have no rights to un-forgiveness. By telling you such lies, cowardly preachers are actually contributing to your staying in bondage.

As people filled with the Holy Spirit, should we not have the grace to forgive? Should we not be the most humble, forgiving people on earth? Again, it’s simple. But it’s definitely not easy. But I’m telling you this because I want to see you go free.

No Need to Wait

You might be waiting for that perfect apology. You might be waiting for them to acknowledge their wrong, to humble themselves and present themselves broken before you. But that perfect scenario might never come. So we must be like Christ. While being crucified, before He ever received an apology, He cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

We must forgive faster than they can apologize. In fact, forgiveness doesn’t begin after we’ve been hurt; forgiveness is the state of your heart before the offense ever takes place.

Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. - Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

Make allowance. Carry the grace before the offense takes place. We must live prepared to forgive. Anticipating offenses, we must be ready to let go.

Search Your Heart

So search your heart. Is there any un-forgiveness in you?

Bitterness seeks revenge.

Forgiveness seeks reconciliation. 

Bitterness lives in the past.

Forgiveness frees you to dream about the future.

Bitterness says, “Because they owe me.”

Forgiveness says, Because I owe God.”

Bitterness pushes guilt.

Forgiveness lifts burdens. 

Bitterness seeks to prove a point. 

Forgiveness let’s it go.

Bitterness accuses.

Forgiveness covers.

Perhaps now there is a phone call you need to make - a text you need to send. Maybe there was an argument, an offense. Maybe you need to go back to that church. Be reconciled to your brothers and sisters. It’s time to let it go.

No, I don’t mean that you should allow people to repeatedly take advantage of you, but what’s done is done. It’s time to move forward into freedom.

For the sake of your spiritual well being, for the sake of your soul, for the sake of your joy and peace, it’s time to let it go. It’s simple, but it’s not easy. The Holy Spirit will help you to do it.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

How to Win in Spiritual Warfare

The enemy has been defeated. Christ reigns victoriously. So why then are we commanded in Scripture to be equipped for spiritual battles?

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.“ - Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT)

The truth of the matter is that the Devil is real, and so are demons. They are not biblical metaphors for evil. They are living, sentient beings that exist in an other-worldly dimension. They have been around for eons, understand human nature, and are highly trained spiritual assassins. 

Now, by no means should the believer live in a paranoid state or constantly worry about being overcome by demonic powers. But the Scripture clearly teaches that we are to be engaged in spiritual warfare.

But since Christ has already won the victory, how does spiritual warfare look for the believer? Mind you, demonic beings affect believers differently than they do unbelievers. 

So here is the simplest definition of spiritual warfare that I can give to you as it applies to the believer: the fight to believe God’s truths over the enemies’ lies. 

Think about what armor we are given - the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, the belt of truth. By faith, we guard ourselves against lies. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, destroys deception. The belt of truth keeps us prepared to resist deception. 

At least for the believer, spiritual warfare is primarily about avoiding deception. By getting you to believe lies, the enemy can affect your thinking. By affecting your thinking, the enemy can affect your emotions. By affecting your emotions, the enemy can affect your actions.

In no way can the enemy own the believer, but the believer can embrace lies that limit faith. There’s much to know about spiritual warfare, but this is the primary way to win: know the Word of God (the sword of the Spirit) and believe that Word by faith (shield of faith).

For the believer, knowing and believing the truth is the way to win. For when you know the truth, you are free.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

7 Marks of the Spirit-Filled

In the first year that I had come to know Jesus, I sought out spiritual mentors and studied them closely. From both men and women of God, I received information, inspiration and impartation. While learning from God’s anointed servants, I came to notice similarities in their mindsets, character traits, and even demeanors. They shared certain attributes that I’ve come to call “Marks of the Spirit”.

I asked the Lord to mark me in the same way and have committed to faithfully seek the face of Jesus. The more I seek Him, the more I notice the work of His Spirit in my life.

And, dear reader, you too can bear these marks. And if you already do, they can become more clearly seen upon your life.

For God has commissioned a work of art. Jesus is the model, the Holy Spirit is the painter and your surrendered life is the blank canvas. With every stroke, the Holy Spirit causes the countenance of Christ to appear on you in greater and greater detail.

Samuel the prophet spoke to Saul concerning this kind of Spirit-empowered change:

“And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them. And you will be turned into another man.” - 1 Samuel 10:6

Consider that: “…turned into another man.’

No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, the Holy Spirit has the power to make you more like Christ. He brings transformation.

And you know His work isn’t static; His work is continual.

“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit…” - Ephesians 5:18

Be filled. In the verse above, the word filled is the Greek verb Plerousthe. It literally means to be continually filled. This is not to say that we can receive the Holy Spirit a second time.

To clarify, I present this simply analogy: You can charge your cell phone all the way up to 100%, but the moment that you unplug the phone, it begins to die again. However, if you plug your cell phone into a power source, it can be fully charged to 100% and kept there. Even using your phone would not drain its battery if it were plugged into a power source. The phone would be both fully charged and continually charged.

In the same way, we are to be continually filled with the Spirit, even after having received the infilling.

So the Holy Spirit can make you a different man or woman even now. You can be a different person today than you were yesterday. In fact, His work can even be from moment to moment! You can be a different person now than who you were even a second ago. Your change is constant when you abide in the presence of the Holy Spirit. For every second you spend in His presence, you become more like Jesus.

Consider His awesome power. He is the very same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead, empowered the early Church and now confirms the message of the gospel with power and demonstration. That very same power is at work in you now, in this very moment, whether you realize it or not.

And, as you live under that power, these are the marks you will come to bear.

#1 Boldness

“When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” - Acts 4:31

Before I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, I was an awkward, self-conscious person. Constantly second-guessing myself, I feared the criticism of people.

Then one day, I took a day trip to a college with a campus preacher. He was a very bold man who cared deeply about proclaiming the truth in love. He didn’t mind being mocked, criticized or hated. In fact, people would even physically harm him from time to time. But he just wanted to see people get saved, so he frequented college campuses.

I stood in awe, as I watched this man proclaim the gospel with divine wisdom. I’m telling you; the people who opposed him were confounded (much like the pharisees). I was just thinking to myself something like, “I don’t think I can do that”, when this campus preacher turned to me and said, “Okay. It’s your turn.”

With fear and trembling, I stood in front of a crowd of intimidating onlookers (about 60 people) and began to preach the gospel to them. And, as I preached, I felt the chains of fear break away from me. In the place of fear, I felt a boldness well up within my soul. Something took over!

I was mocked.

I was criticized.

I was challenged.

But I was perfectly fine. None of what I feared was as bad as I thought it would be. From that day forward, I allowed the boldness of the Holy Spirit to be my strength. It changed almost everything about me. The power of the fear of man was broken over my life, because of the boldness of the Spirit.

Believer, the boldness is already in you. This has nothing to do with personality types, for we all must adjust to look more like Jesus. Let boldness come forth through bold action.

#2 Confidence

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

If boldness is the ability to act in faith, then confidence is the ability to avoid reacting in fear. Boldness is action; confidence is a state of being. Confidence is peace, inner-calm.

I recall a story of a preacher who was taking a nap on a flight. While he was taking his nap, a problem occurred with the engines and the passengers were told to prepare for an emergency landing. Everyone on board the plane began to panic. One of the panicked passengers nudged the sleeping preacher and announced to him, “Wake up! We’re going to need to make an emergency landing!” The preacher looked at the passenger, glanced around and casually said, “Jesus slept through the storm; I’m going to sleep through this.” Then he went back to sleep.

Everything turned out fine.

That’s one of the marks of the Spirit-filled; they are confident. In the face of deadlines, they are not hasty. In times of lack, they are not worried. In moments of chaos, they are not shaken. They remain collected, calm, intentional, methodical. There’s a relaxed and refreshing air about them.

This is not to say that they aren’t practical when need be. This just means that they are at peace no matter the situation.

They may be in a storm, but they do not allow the storm to be in them.

#3 Authority

“…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” - Acts 10:38

Confidence has to do with how you respond to situations, but authority has to do with how situations respond to you. Everywhere Jesus went, He changed the atmosphere. Sickness and demonic power was broken at the very nearness of Jesus.

The same is true of the Spirit-filled.

The authority to operate in God’s power is not reserved for the spiritually elite, if ever there was such a group. The authority of Heaven can rest on your shoulders. It can be yours. It is yours.

The Spirit-filled carry such an authority that they themselves become an atmosphere. When you enter a place, the spiritual atmosphere changes, because you have God’s authority by the Holy Spirit.

#4 Revelation

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” - John 14:26

While gleaning from mighty men and women of God, I would often find myself astounded by their knowledge of God’s Word. But I was most impressed with how they would often see things in the scripture that I had missed. I would have to ask myself, “How could I have missed that?”

People can tell the difference between a message that is prepared with only intellect and a message that is prepared under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

When you study the Word of God with the help of the Spirit, you will make important connections, find deep truths and understand concepts more often. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just give information; He ignites inspiration and imparts revelation.

The Spirit-filled are rich with revelation.

#5 Sensitivity

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” - Romans 8:14

Before I was born, my parents prayed that I would have a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. As a result of their prayers, I can remember being aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit as early as the age of 7. From then on, I have sensed Him in the air around me.

So it was only a matter of time before I would begin to “click” with believers who also walked in this kind of awareness of God. And, while spending time with those believers, I began to pick up what some might call “strange habits”.

Such habits were things like: stopping mid-sentence to respond to the Lord, leaving social occasions early to “tend to the Spirit’s call to prayer” and involving the Lord in almost every circumstance.

People who are sensitive to the Spirit will catch themselves when they say something un-productive and say, “Forgive me, Lord. I shouldn’t have said that!” They are constantly aware of God’s likes and dislikes. People who are sensitive to the Spirit don’t just hear God clearly; they respond quickly.

How many times have you felt a “hesitation” before doing something, only to realize in hindsight that the “hesitation” was actually the leading of the Spirit? Conversely, perhaps you’ve also missed opportunities to do something you should have done.

Sensitivity will cause you to pause and respond to the inner leading of the Holy Spirit. You can walk in an awareness of God 24/7. Spiritual sensitivity is a mark of the Spirit-filled believer.

#6 Generosity

“We have diverse gifts according to the grace that is given to us: if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; if service, in serving; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with generosity…” - Romans 12:6-8a

I’ve seen people give away so much that others considered them to be crazy. And the Holy Spirit has led me to give in ways that made me think I was crazy.

The Spirit-filled give so extravagantly, so selflessly that people ask, “Should you really be doing that?” They say, “That seems to be a bit much.”

Everyone wants to receive extravagantly, but very few are willing to give extravagantly. And I’m not just referring to specific amounts, for all giving is relative.

I’ve seen wealthy business people give hundreds of thousands of dollars towards the gospel. I’ve heard of Spirit-filled believers giving away cars and houses simply because, “The Holy Spirit spoke”.

And…

I’ve also seen missionaries, who were barely making enough to buy food, give away almost all of their income to other missionaries. I’ve witnessed believers, who were believing for a financial breakthrough, give to others in need.

Spirit-filled believers pray for God’s provision, while at the same time becoming God’s provision for someone else.

The Spirit-filled allow themselves to be selflessly marked with generosity.

#7 Burden for the Lost

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:8

The purpose of the Holy Spirit’s power is world evangelism.

Every truly Spirit-filled believer who I have ever met had, burning within, a passion for souls – they were weighted by a burden for the lost. The Holy Spirit is the most gifted evangelist on the earth today, and His love for the lost soul overflows to you.

Dear reader, I believe that we should carry joy, but I also know that we must come to a place of agony over the spiritually dead. Without a brokenness for the un-saved, the believer lacks. It is a  love for souls that drives the gospel into closed countries and hardened hearts.

When you allow the Holy Spirit to shed this painful love abroad in your heart, you won’t need to be convinced to evangelize; evangelism will become somewhat of an obsession.

I’ve often wondered what “sharing in” Christ’s suffering completely entails. What comes with sharing in His pain? Perhaps, this heartache for the lost counts toward that.

---

Pay it Forward

We pray that you were blessed by this blog. Teachings like these are made free because of generous givers like you. When you pay it forward, you ignite our efforts and allow us to continue to minister to those in need.

Become a monthly supporter or make a single donation right now using our fast and secure online giving option below:

The Crucified Life

“Your dreams are about to come true." 

“Your breakthrough is on the way.” 

"The toughest times come just before the greatest blessings.” 

“God is getting ready to catapult you into greatness.”

Statements like those find their power by pulling on a person’s deep longing to be successful, wealthy, put-together, respected, and otherwise well-positioned in life. In fact, the Word “breakthrough” has become a Christian code word that means “The day I never have any more struggles.” We have sermons that give you steps to a better you and keys to success in this area or that area. It seems that every message you hear is about how your dreams are just within arm’s reach. But the reason we have so much preaching on climbing mountains is because we don’t have the faith or power to move mountains. And we lack faith and power to move mountains because we lack the preaching of the cross.

Sadly, many are promising a life without troubles, trials, sacrifice, or commitment. Honestly, that’s just contrary to what Jesus told us:

John 16:33

In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Sure, the blessings of God abound in the life of every believer. He prospers, provides for, protects, and loves His people. God does not despise the prayer request. God does not become angry with His child’s request for a blessing. God loves to bless His children. But one thing we should all remember is this: God’s cause takes precedence over the believer’s comfort.

Mark 8:34-35

34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

Jesus spoke those challenging words just after prophesying His own death. His disciple Peter was resistant to the idea of Jesus giving His own life on the cross. The Lord rebuked Peter, saying, “Get away from me, Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Get away from me Satan? Those harsh words exposed the source of Peter’s resistance to the cross. No, Peter was not possessed, as it’s well-established that Christians cannot be demon-possessed. 

But he was being influenced by Satanic thinking. Resistance to the cross is Satanic. Think of how the Devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan offered to Jesus a cross-less path to glory. Yet Jesus, filled with both the Word and the Spirit, overcame the temptation to deny the cross. He chose instead to deny Himself. 

A cross-less gospel is a Christ-less gospel. The gospel is not about self-improvement; it’s about self-abandonment. It’s not about our dreams; it’s about God’s will. We must stop trying to build what the Word of God has told us to crucify.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Holy Spirit: Everyday Excellence

The Holy Spirit empowers us for the practical.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower us for ministry; He empowers us in all that we do. He wants to empower husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, business people, employees, and students.

The Holy Spirit is the Expert Spirit, and His touch improves every action of the believer.

When Moses went to meet with God at Mount Sinai, he wasn’t just given commands for moral and civil duties; he also received a revelation of how the tabernacle was to be built. God gave Moses specific instructions on the crafting of the Ark of the Covenant, the gold lamp-stands, the incense altar, and the other furnishings of the tabernacle. Moses was even given instructions on how to craft the garments of the priests. 

But to actually craft these things, God appointed certain men. They were men who were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. (Exodus 31:1–5).

Even in the practical act of crafting, the Holy Spirit was involved.

The Holy Spirit is, literally, down to earth. He does not distance Himself from our practical living. He is an able Helper, not just in the matters of the supernatural, but also in the matters of the natural. He is God’s empowering presence here upon the earth. He involves Himself in our day-to-day tasks and responsibilities; He desires to help you in all that you do. 

We accept the fact that there is nothing too difficult for Him to perform but often lack the boldness to believe that there is nothing too small for Him to ignore.

To the business person, the Spirit is a business Partner. To the parent, He is a wise Guide. To the spouse, He is a Counselor. To the student, He is a Teacher. To all and in all, He is a Helper and an Expert.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Body, Soul, Spirit: Simply Explained

I am a spirit, who has a soul, that lives in a body. You are a spirit, who has a soul, that lives in a body. 

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NLT)

BODY

Your body is your “earth suit.” Your body is your connection with this world. Your body is the vehicle through which you experience the natural realm. Every single interaction that you share with others is through your body. With the body, you speak and communicate. With your physical being, you see, hear, and touch the world around you. Contrary to what some religious ideologies have led us to believe, the body itself is not a sinful, corrupt thing. Sure, the body is decaying and dying. And, yes, your physical body can be trained to become an instrument of the sin nature, but that doesn’t mean that your body is itself sinful. Your body can be used for either sin or holiness. The choice is yours. In fact, your body can be a carrier of the glory of God.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT) 

Your body can be a holy host of the Holy Spirit’s presence. You can be the Holy Spirit’s physical connection with this world.

SOUL

The soul is the realm of decision. In the soul lives your mind, will, emotions, and personality. Your mind—what you imagine. Your will—what you want. Your emotions—what you feel. The soul is the neutral ground between the body and the spirit. It is the place where free will is exercised. 

The soul is eternal, and everyone has a soul—redeemed and unredeemed alike. The wicked have souls. 

The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes (Proverbs 21:10, KJV). 

The godly have souls. 

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 1:2, KJV). 

Every human being has a soul. 

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind (Job 12:10, KJV). 

The breath of life is in the soul. The soul gives animation, consciousness. The soul is where your free will is exercised.

SPIRIT

Your spirit is your connection with God. It is the innermost part of your being, the center of you, the source of your identity. Your spirit is the deepest part of you, and your spirit knows perfect fellowship with God. 

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, NLT)

No one knows your thoughts like your spirit does. The same is true of God. The Holy Spirit knows God’s thoughts. The Holy Spirit, who is God’s Spirit, searches out the deep things of God. The Holy Spirit knows God’s secrets, intentions, and desires. The Holy Spirit knows God’s will. The Holy Spirit perfectly and completely understands God’s nature and power. Everything there is to know about our infinitely intricate God, the Holy Spirit knows. The Holy Spirit is not learning about God. The Holy Spirit knows God. He knows Himself fully. 

The Holy Spirit communicates what He knows of God with your spirit. God’s Spirit shares revelations with your spirit. God’s innermost Being shares mysteries with your innermost being. In that place of inner oneness, divine secrets are being imparted. By the Holy Spirit, every believer has this privilege of internal, eternal connection with God Himself. 

No matter how you feel in body or soul, your connection in the spirit remains. You live, not to connect with God, but from connection with God.

Your body belongs to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

Your Spirit is one with God. (1 Corinthians 6:17, NLT)

And, yes, even your soul is filled and owned by God. (Ephesians 1:14, AMP)

You are a Spirit, who has a soul, that exists in a body.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Carriers of the Glory

You don’t have to go looking for an atmosphere; you are an atmosphere. You are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, a habitation of Heaven, a carrier of the glory. Because you have the Holy Spirit, you don’t have to follow signs; signs follow you. You don’t have to beg for a divine encounter; you live in a divine encounter. Wherever you step, the Holy Spirit steps. Your presence and God’s presence become indistinguishable from one another.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself… (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

When you walk into rooms, demons run out. When you walk into rooms, sickness starts to lose its hold. When you walk into rooms, you shift the atmosphere. Heaven invades wherever you step foot. Spiritual dynamics change, and Hell loses influence. 

That’s the potential of the believer’s life. However, though every true believer has the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit doesn’t have every believer. What I mean by that is not every believer is surrendered to the work of the Holy Spirit in their life.

Some allow for areas of compromise and spiritual neglect. Everything that God has for us is within us by the Holy Spirit. Power, love, joy, peace, wisdom, understanding, the ability to live holy, and so much more. But many leave reservoirs of the Spirit’s power untapped. 

But when you live a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit, the power within you begins to affect everything in you and around you. Like a river that gives off mist, your very being begins to give off the essence of the Spirit. People around you become refreshed. When you surrender to the Holy Spirit and become a conscious carrier of the glory, miracles begin to happen around you, people become drawn to the magnetism of the Holy Spirit within you, and God receives the glory for what He does through you as a vessel. 

Commit today to remember that you are a carrier of the glory. And then live and act like it.

QUESTION: In what ways has the presence of the Holy Spirit upon YOUR life affected those around you? Tell me in the comments.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Holy Spirit: Heaven's Greatest Worship Leader

All true worship is a response to revelation about God. All true revelation comes by the Holy Spirit. You can sing without a revelation. You can dance without a revelation. But you can’t truly worship without a revelation.

Worship is intensity of attention. 

Worship is adoration. 

Worship is giving God glory as you see His glory. 

But if you can’t see, you can’t worship. 

For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

Worship isn’t a chore to be completed or an obligation to be fulfilled. Worship isn’t therapy to be used for our own benefit. Worship is a spiritual reaction to a divine reality. It’s your being’s way of celebrating God’s being.

Therefore, true worship cannot be conjured by means of emotional posturing. Worship can’t be demanded by an ambitious song leader. Hype can’t produce it. Production can’t mimic it. Musical talent cannot cause it. Only the Holy Spirit can ignite the fire of worship in your heart. For the carnal cannot produce the spiritual. He is the one who awakens true worship within you. 

The Holy Spirit uses the truths of the Word to produce a knowing of God - that knowing of God causes the natural response that is worship. To Worship is to be wowed by Him. The Holy Spirit takes the information and adds to it inspiration - that brings forth revelation. So it is the spirit and truth that together cultivate genuine worship of God. 

May we stand in awe of Him as we see Him with the eyes of the Spirit. For the Holy Spirit is the greatest worship leader of all time. 

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Overcoming the Victim Mindset

There is no greater privilege in life than knowing Jesus. There is no greater advantage than the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within you. No matter where you come from, how you were raised, or what disadvantages life seemingly forced upon you, the Bible declares that you are victorious if you are in Christ.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:31 & 37, NLT)

This, of course, does not mean that we will never face hardships. This simply means that even in hardships, we are victorious, because we belong to God.

Being victorious doesn’t mean that I don’t face difficulties. Being victorious means that even in difficulties, I continue to believe that God wins in the end. The victorious believer doesn’t allow exterior circumstances to diminish inner joy. The victorious believer doesn’t allow the actions of others to steal their peace.

In persecution, we have God’s love.

In loneliness, we have God’s presence.

Even in death, we have eternal life. 

You have God’s attention, voice, favor, and love. God opens doors, brings opportunities, and shapes your destiny.

What can anyone do to us? Truly, the believer can never be a victim. No person, system, government, or idea can hold us down. We are never victims, always more than conquerors.

With this God-given position of eternal victory comes the responsibility of walking in it. And one of the keys to walking in Heavenly dominion is thinking according to the truth - having a godly mindset.

Thoughts are the actions of the mind. And you can choose your thought patterns.

The choice is ours: we can either choose to live with a victim mindset, constantly blaming everyone and everything else around us for our defeats and challenges, settling for less when God has more. Or we can choose to allow the truth to affect our thinking.

It’s time to embrace your privilege - the privilege of Christ in you. 

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Body, Soul, Spirit: Simply Explained

I am a spirit, who has a soul, that lives in a body. You are a spirit, who has a soul, that lives in a body.

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NLT)

BODY

Your body is your “earth suit.” Your body is your connection with this world. Your body is the vehicle through which you experience the natural realm. Every single interaction that you share with others is through your body. With the body, you speak and communicate. With your physical being, you see, hear, and touch the world around you. Contrary to what some religious ideologies have led us to believe, the body itself is not a sinful, corrupt thing. Sure, the body is decaying and dying. And, yes, your physical body can be trained to become an instrument of the sin nature, but that doesn’t mean that your body is itself sinful. Your body can be used for either sin or holiness. The choice is yours. In fact, your body can be a carrier of the glory of God. 

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT) 

Your body can be a holy host of the Holy Spirit’s presence. You can be the Holy Spirit’s physical connection with this world.

SOUL

The soul is the realm of decision. In the soul lives your mind, will, emotions, and personality. Your mind—what you imagine. Your will—what you want. Your emotions—what you feel. The soul is the neutral ground between the body and the spirit. It is the place where free will is exercised. 

The soul is eternal, and everyone has a soul—redeemed and unredeemed alike. The wicked have souls. 

The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes (Proverbs 21:10, KJV). 

The godly have souls. 

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 1:2, KJV). 

Every human being has a soul. 

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind (Job 12:10, KJV). 

The breath of life is in the soul. The soul gives animation, consciousness. The soul is where your free will is exercised.

SPIRIT

Your spirit is your connection with God. It is the innermost part of your being, the center of you, the source of your identity. Your spirit is the deepest part of you, and your spirit knows perfect fellowship with God. 

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, NLT)

No one knows your thoughts like your spirit does. The same is true of God. The Holy Spirit knows God’s thoughts. The Holy Spirit, who is God’s Spirit, searches out the deep things of God. The Holy Spirit knows God’s secrets, intentions, and desires. The Holy Spirit knows God’s will. The Holy Spirit perfectly and completely understands God’s nature and power. Everything there is to know about our infinitely intricate God, the Holy Spirit knows. The Holy Spirit is not learning about God. The Holy Spirit knows God. He knows Himself fully. 

The Holy Spirit communicates what He knows of God with your spirit. God’s Spirit shares revelations with your spirit. God’s innermost Being shares mysteries with your innermost being. In that place of inner oneness, divine secrets are being imparted. By the Holy Spirit, every believer has this privilege of internal, eternal connection with God Himself. 

No matter how you feel in body or soul, your connection in the spirit remains. You live, not to connect with God, but from connection with God.

Your body belongs to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

Your Spirit is one with God. (1 Corinthians 6:17, NLT)

And, yes, even your soul is filled and owned by God. (Ephesians 1:14, AMP)

You are a Spirit, who has a soul, that exists in a body.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Welcome the Holy Spirit

In the modern Church, the Holy Spirit is often treated like He’s a liability rather than the very power to truly grow the Church. In many cases, He’s barely tolerated, when He should be sought after and honored.

The Holy Spirit was present at the founding of the Church, because He is the key to a powerful Church.

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. (Acts 2:1-4, NLT)

We need the Holy Spirit. Programs cannot replace power. Strategy cannot replace Spirit. Methods cannot replace miracles. We must do away with clever-sounding excuses that limit the Holy Spirit’s influence in our churches and ministries.

Without the power of the Holy Spirit, our preaching is just self-help, our worship is just entertainment, our evangelism is just marketing, and our gathering is just a club.

No more superficial encouragement; the hour calls for supernatural empowerment. The hour calls for a remnant that is unashamed of the Holy Spirit’s work. Stop trying to explain Him and just embrace Him. Be bold. And let it be known that we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe in His power to convict the heart of the sinner and to heal the disease of the afflicted. We believe in miracles, in healing, in casting out demons, in speaking in tongues, in manifestations of power. Yes, we believe in the power of pentecost, the power of the Holy Spirit.

Some are surrendered just enough to be blessed by the Spirit but not enough to be transformed by the Spirit. But it’s time to surrender all. It’s time to acknowledge that we are utterly helpless without Him - that we need the Holy Spirit.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

This is How You Know You Really Have the Holy Spirit

Some people have gifts but don’t walk in glory. Some demonstrate power but don’t carry the presence. The Holy Spirit will mark the life of the believer in many ways: spiritual gifts, anointed ministry, the gift of tongues, authority over demons, and so forth. But the demonstration of power alone isn’t the ultimate sign that you’ve received the Holy Spirit.

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ (Matthew 7:21-23, NLT)

The ultimate sign that you’ve received the Holy Spirit is less about what you do and more about who you become. 

Healing, deliverance, miracles, ministry, speaking in tongues - it’s all wonderful. But the greatest sign of having received the Holy Spirit is Christ-like character.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. (Galatians 5:22-24, NLT)

There’s something I’ve learned about the Holy Spirit throughout my many years of friendship with Him: He glorifies Jesus. And one of the many ways that the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus is by shaping you into the image of Jesus. 

God has commissioned a painting. Jesus is the model. The Holy Spirit is the painter. And your life, when it is surrendered to the Holy Spirit, is the blank canvas upon which He paints the character of Christ.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

7 Signs of Ungodly Ambition

If you want God to use you as a spiritual leader, you desire a good thing. 

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. (1 Timothy 3:1, NIV)

Yes, the desire to be used of God is good, but you must guard your heart, lest it become contaminated with the mixture of impure motives. 

Here are 7 warning signs of ungodly ambition.

#1 - You lack personal holiness.

To perform in public is easy, but to live righteously in private takes true devotion to and fear of God. Many have gifts but don’t know the glory. Many have charisma but lack character. Living a lifestyle of sinfulness is a sign that your godly motives have been replaced by fleshly ambition.

#2 - You lack a personal devotional life.

If you don’t pray or read the Word consistently, you have no business being behind a pulpit. Spiritual leaders are supposed to help other believers grow spiritually. But how can you truly do that if you yourself haven’t grown? If you lack a prayer life and a devotion to God’s Word, then that’s a sign that your motives are becoming polluted by worldliness. 

#3 - You care more about crowds than you do about people.

If you don’t love God’s people, then why serve them? For financial gain? For status? For popularity? When you look into the faces of those to whom you minister, do you see people with needs, hopes, hurts, and stories? Or do you just see useful tools for your agenda? To have the heart of God is to have compassion for God’s people.

#4 - You have an unhealthy desire to be seen and recognized.

We all appreciate being encouraged and recognized for our work, but if you constantly crave the spotlight, you need to seriously evaluate your motives. People with an unhealthy desire for recognition are operating out of insecurity and rejection that hasn’t yet been healed. They need to be seen, celebrated, and noticed in order to feel fulfilled. These people love to see their faces on flyers, love to be seated in the front row, love to be noticed when they walk into a room, demand VIP treatment, and generally crave attention. 

#5 - You can’t receive correction.

When your motives are impure, everything you do becomes contaminated. Impure motives force you to build the ministry on self, not the Lord. Thus, when correction is brought to you, your first reaction is to be defensive, to protect what you have built upon self. Those who attempt to lovingly correct you are labeled as “haters” or “jealous.” Granted, you can’t give your attention or validation to everyone who brings criticism. Generally speaking, I think you should ignore the internet theologians and keyboard crusaders. But when those who know and love you, those who walk in relationship with you, bring correction, you should take that seriously. Rather than use deflections like, “Well, I’ve been in the ministry for blank amount of years” or “Well, they just don’t understand my anointing,” perhaps you should humbly receive the correction that comes from those who love and know you. If you can’t take legitimate correction, it’s time to check your motives.

#6 You imagine that the purpose of God’s favor is to elevate you.

When God elevates one of His servants, His goal isn’t to elevate a person; His goal is to elevate His Word - His message. God doesn’t raise you for the sake of you. Ministry is not so much a promotion as it is a death to self. Preachers and ministers, please, remember that we are not the main characters in the story. We are simply servants who serve the greater purposes of God. And we can very quickly be replaced. Count it joy that you can be a part of what God is doing, but remember your place. It’s about the lost. It’s about God’s glory. Walk humbly.

#7 You view other ministers and ministries as your competition. 

Ministry is not about competition but cooperation with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If you feel pains of jealousy whenever something good happens for another ministry, your motives need to be purified. If you feel like the success of others is somehow taking away from your success, then your motives need to be purified. If you take joy in the failings of other ministries, then your motives need to be purified. Why see the success of others as a threat if we all have the same goal? 

Again, if you want God to use you as a spiritual leader, you desire a good thing. But watch carefully for these signs of ungodly ambition, lest ungodly ambition destroy your ministry and your soul.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

How to Welcome the Holy Spirit: 3 Keys

We know that we should welcome the Holy Spirit in our lives and ministries - but do we know how to welcome Him? Here are three simple keys to welcoming the Holy Spirit.

#1 Holiness

Consider His likes and dislikes.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30, NLT)

If the Holy Spirit loves me enough to be grieved by my disobedience, then it stands to reason that the Holy Spirit loves me enough to be pleased by my obedience. By living a holy life, you welcome His presence. This, of course, does not mean that the Holy Spirit abandons you when you fail. He doesn’t leave you because you made a mistake. This just means that when you live holy, the Holy Spirit feels at home in you.

Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit dwells in you. Are you taking Him places He doesn’t want to go? Are you using His temple to do things that grieve Him? Do the things you watch and listen to remind Him of things that break His heart? To live holy is to live considerate of the Holy Spirit’s likes and dislikes.

#2 Awareness

Consider His presence.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. (John 14:16, NLT)

He never leaves us. His presence is always with us. So how often are you aware of His presence? What is the pace of your life? Do ever pause to consider the fact that He is with you? Is the pull of life more effective on you than the pull of the Spirit? The Holy Spirit invites us to know God, to pray, to read the Word - but, all too often, we are too busy to even consider what He is saying. If you want to welcome the Holy Spirit in your life, then don’t live so fast-paced that you can’t remain aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence.

#3 Obedience

Consider His voice.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romans 8:14, NLT)

Sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit isn’t just about how clearly you hear Him but also about how quickly you respond when He speaks. Delay is disobedience. What is the Holy Spirit asking of you? What has He instructed you to do? What’s the delay? Radical, unconditional obedience is the mark of a truly Spirit-filled believer.

Holiness is living clean.

Awareness is living at a pace that allows for the consideration and realization of the Spirit’s presence.

Obedience is about taking bold steps of faith when the Holy Spirit speaks.

These are three of the many ways that you can welcome the precious Holy Spirit in your life.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

How to Never Backslide: 5 Keys

Following Jesus is a lifelong commitment, but many believers are afraid that they won’t make it. Worried about the temptations and distractions that are offered by the world, some fear that they may… backslide.

Now that word “backslide” is an interesting word, because it’s come to mean different things to different people. Arguing that Christ would never let them go, some would say that true believers would never return to their old ways - while others think it’s possible for believers to once again be ensnared by the world because of their own free will. Whatever you believe, and no matter where you stand on that question, it should be your desire to remain committed to Christ for life.

19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.” (2 Peter 2:19-22, NLT)

So whatever you believe about the state of a backslider, the Scripture makes it clear that it is possible for believers to have major spiritual setbacks. 

That doesn’t mean that backsliding is to be expected. Sadly, some modern church teachings seem to imply that “backsliding” is a normal phase in the Christian journey. It’s not. Saying, “I’m in my backsliding phase,” as a believer is the equivalent of saying, “I’m in my cheating phase,” as a spouse.

So how can you prevent yourself from falling into spiritual decline?

Here are 5 simple keys:

#1 Read God’s Word Faithfully

If you practice the spiritual basics, you can avoid spiritual crisis. The Word of God is your first line of defense against spiritual decline. 

Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. (Matthew 7:24, WEB)

#2 Pray Consistently 

The strength of your spiritual life is directly proportionate to the consistency of your prayer life.

Never stop praying. (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NLT)

#3 Attend Church Regularly

It’s not possible to fulfill all of the New Testament commands without the connectivity of believers. You cannot love, honor, encourage, or make use of your spiritual gifts in isolation. Gathering with other believers will help to keep you spiritually sharp.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25, NLT)

#4 Repent Immediately 

When you make a sinful mistake, it’s important that you correct and turn from that sin immediately. By living a lifestyle of constant correction, you can avoid becoming deeply entrenched in sin.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9, NLT)

#5 Evangelize Passionately 

Seeing others receive Christ can inspire greater levels of appreciation for salvation. Evangelism will keep you on the spiritual cutting edge. Christ Himself received spiritual satisfaction upon witnessing the conversion of the woman at the well.

32 But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” 33 “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. 34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. (John 4:32-34, NLT)

By continuing to practice the fundamentals of the faith, you will continue to grow in spiritual strength. Through the practice of spiritual basics, you avoid spiritual crisis.You don’t have to settle for up and down, back and forth commitment. You can live in the constant flow of surrender to the Holy Spirit. You don’t have to lose ground. By walking in simple, daily obedience and trust toward God, you can know with confidence that you will never backslide.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.