A SPIRIT MARKED BY GOD

We are back again with some insight on the journey of bring Marked by God - specifically this week we are looking at how we can be a people whose spirits are marked by God.

Our spirit man is the part of us God is able to have direct contact with, because He is Spirit. It's the part of us that allows us to enter into and maintain a relationship with God - in other words, without a spirit, we cannot interact with the spiritual realm. Our spirit is the root of our existence since the natural realm is controlled by the spiritual realm

(Hebrews 11:3; 2 Corinthians 4:18). This means whatever spirit we allow to lead our lives or has control over our lives will ultimately determine the outcome of our lives here on earth.

With this understanding, we can look at 5 ways through which we can submit our spirits to the most High God who is the ruler over all spirits, and the only one who is able to guarantee us eternal life, that we may truly live as those whose spirits are marked by God.

1.SUBJECT TO HIS LEADING

Galatians 5:16-18 NIV

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want.18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

A spirit that is marked by God follow the leadership of His Spirit because He helps us to walk in the ways of God and to turn away from the will and desires of the flesh. A spirit marked by God remains aligned to the directions and guidance of the Spirit of God to accomplish His work on earth as the Spirit leads us into all truth (John 16:13).

2.EDIFIED BY GOD'S SPIRIT

1 Corinthians 14:4 NKJV

"He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church."

Romans 8:26 NKJV

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

"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 Lord’s people."

A spirit that is marked by God positions itself to be edified (strengthened, lifted, and built up spiritually) by dwelling in a place of prayer (in God's presence) where the Holy Spirit can have His way to assist us by exchanging the strength of God for our weaknesses. A spirit that is marked by God finds strength in the hardest situations and circumstances because the edification of God's spirit allows that person to go through the storms of life as though he or she was the strongest person.

"Our spirit is the root of our existence since the natural realm is controlled by the spiritual realm."

3.CLOTHED IN HIS ARMOUR

A people whose spirits are marked by God should operate in the Spirit - as they do business in the spirit, they must be clothed in God's armour to be well equipped for victory.

Ephesians 6:11-17

BELT - TRUTH

BREASTPLATE - RIGHTEOUSNESS

SHOES - PEACE

SHIELD - FAITH

HELMET - SALVATION

SWORD - THE WORD OF GOD

This is not an "on and off" armour to be worn when we feel like it, we must be constantly clothed with it in the spiritual realm. The only way we can do that is when we integrate the armour pieces mentioned above into our lives so that they become our second nature to breathing. To believe and speak the truth of God; to live a life of righteousness according to the image of Christ; to have peace within ourselves and make peace with others; to hold onto our faith no matter the persecutions we face; to remain dependant solely on the redemption Christ has paid for by the Cross and lead others to that path, and to carve the word of God into our hearts so that we may live by it and for it.

4.HUMBLE

Matthew 5:3 NIV

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

A spirit marked by God does not regard itself as being higher than God nor higher than any man regardless of their heights to which God has lifted it has an individual. Such humility is only possible when we make a decision to remain conscious (to remember) of the truth that without God, we are nothing and have nothing, therefore we can never exalt ourselves above Him or above others since He is the One who promotes and demotes (Psalm 75:7).

5.FELLOWSHIP

2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

The word fellowship also refers to friendship, companionship, harmony, and unity.

A spirit that is marked by God seeks to become one with the Spirit of God through fellowship and by involving oneself in activities that promote intimacy with God. As we go through the process of growing in our friendship with God, we become united with Him.

A spirit that is marked by God and has grown in intimacy with Him gains access to certain truths and mysteries that are only revealed as a fruit of time, attention, energy, and resources spent in nourishing out relationship with Him.

John 16:13 AMP

But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future].

John 14:26 AMP

But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

A spirit marked by God is positioned under God's Spirit who will help us understand the word and way of God; hear and do the will of God, and exalt God above all in all things.

I pray for those who find themselves out of alignment from the path the Holy Spirit has carved before them, that they would turn and extend their hands back to God that He may truly guide them in the path of life. I pray for those who are on in alignment but feel discouraged or weighed down by the weight of opposition, let the strength of God envelope you, that you would not give up but finish the race strong. In Jesus Name, Yes & Amen!

Join us here for a prayer session as we surrender our spirits into the hands of God, that He alone would have control over our destinies. We will finalize this series of blogs speaking on how we can reflect those who are marked by God as per the message in Ezekiel 9:1-7 next week as we look at the elements that should be present within "A Church Marked by God".

Blessings to you Apple of God's Eye,