GAINING MASTERY OVER RELATIONSHIPS: SPIRITUAL MASTERY

Spiritual training is very important. Until you are spiritually developed God can't trust you with big things.

Don't be carried away by the seeming success of someone else. The success of another person doesn't mean you are failing. Don't measure yourself with your colleagues. Measure yourself with what God is doing in your life.

As a BELIEVER you are a bearer of the word of grace and are called to deliver it to others for their salvation and righteous upbringing. You must therefore constantly subject yourself to the training of the Word.

Training involves any activity in the process of learning skills or undergoing instruction in preparation for a particular role, activity, function or profession. In all walks of life, training is essential as it helps the learner improve competence, capacity and performance. It also helps the learner gain new knowledge and skills.

It is evident from the Word of God that the Lord expects us to keep growing and developing in our work and walk with Him. The work of the ministry to which we have been called requires training. Ephesians 4:11-15 tell us: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Training causes us to grow up into Him in all things.

We see from Genesis 14:14, that when Abraham had to rescue Lot, he chose the trained ones of his household. 1 Samuel 22:1-2, and 2 Samuel 23:8 show us that David’s mighty men came to him distressed and discontented but he changed their mindset through training. Paul knew that Timothy had passion as a young pastor and zeal for the Lord but he also needed training and so he directed him to the word.2 Timothy 2:15

The main tool the Lord uses for building and equipping His church today is His word (Acts 20:32). Through the word of God every child of God is among other things, trained and instructed in righteousness. As a minister, you are a bearer of the word of grace and are called to deliver it to others for their salvation and righteous upbringing. You must therefore constantly subject yourself to the training of the Word. To be available is commendable but without training, that availability will be useless.

1 Timothy 4:7 admonishes that you exercise or train yourself unto godliness. The teaching or training from the word produce perfection (Colossians 1:27-28) but If you don't attain perfection in one level, you cannot move to the next. Align yourself therefore to adhere to instructions and training you receive from the word.

For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8 AMP).

Just like physical principles, you have to learn and apply the principles of the Kingdom to have them work for you. The principle of faith for instance, is one you must constantly practise to have it operative in your life. Perhaps, when you started learning the Word of faith, you didn’t quite get the kind of results you desired each time you demonstrated your faith. As in other things we desire perfection, keep training yourself in the faith life. Learn more of God’s Word and how to put your faith to work. Soon, you’ll have a more productive faith-life.

You can train your faith to accomplish anything. In the area of your finances for instance, you can watch yourself grow from one level to another. Imagine if acting your faith, you said you would receive a certain sum of money in a month’s time, but you ended up receiving it after six months; don’t feel bad. Instead, say “Next time, I’ll get it right.” Then immediately begin to study the Word voraciously, and demonstrate your faith at every opportunity. That way, you’ll be training your faith to grow and accomplish bigger things.

This is not only applicable to your finances but to every area of life – your health, academics, marriage, etc. You can train your faith with the Word so much that you know, of a truth, that nothing is impossible for you. So keep growing your faith! Feed on the right spiritual materials. Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your faith, and not only will your faith grow rapidly and mightily, but it will also prevail against all odds and adversities of life.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

The life of faith we’ve been called to as Christians is a spiritual one, hence you must be passionate about spiritual things. There’re certain important things you must do to be ruled by the Spirit of God. Firstly, you’ve got to study the Word to know it. This way, you’ll become familiar with the voice of God’s Spirit.

Secondly, you have to train your spirit to respond to God by acting on the Word promptly without delay. Back in the Old Testament, God instructed the children of Israel not to delay. He said, “be not slothful to possess the land” (Joshua 18:3). In other words, don’t be slack or slothful. This in a sense parallels His admonition in Romans 12:11: “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”

Thirdly, have a clear desire to grow spiritually, and focus on spiritual things. Besides praying fervently and studying the Bible regularly, make attending church services, meetings and programs in your local assembly a top priority. The Bible says “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

Stressing the importance of being passionate about spiritual things, Jesus said in Mathew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” The proof of desire is pursuit; you can’t really desire something and not go for it. If you’re truly hungry and passionate for spiritual things your hunger will be satisfied. So have a burning zeal to grow in the things of God. Pursue your desire for God with your resources such as time, money and attention, and prayer.

This is important because what you desire is not just going to show up except you pursue it. All of these will help you drown the voice of the flesh, and the Spirit will gain the mastery in your life. The voice of God’s Spirit will be clearer to you, and you’d live the glorious life every day.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).

Sportsmen know the importance of having a good coach; the value of being trained by the best, to be the best. Many Christians don’t realize that they’re spiritual sportsmen. The Bible says that we’re running a race, likening us to sportsmen: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

Also, in 1 Corinthians 9:26 (TLB), Paul, by the Spirit, writes: “…I fight to win. I’m not just shadow- boxing or playing around.” Did you notice that? We’re not shadow-boxing; we’re actually in the ring. We’re sportsmen for the Lord, and sportsmen need seasoned coaches to put them through.

Can you see why being a member of a local assembly can’t be overemphasized? It shouldn’t be seen or taken as another routine; no! We learnt about that in our previous study. The church is a place of worship, where we assemble to be blessed, refreshed, strengthened, and energized for victory by God’s Spirit. We come to church to learn the Word of God, to be trained, and to be coached.

God gave the ministry gifts, the five-fold offices, for the edification and equipping of the Church, for the perfecting of the saints, and for the work of the ministry. This will go on until we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto perfection, and unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. That’s where He’s taking us. That’s the reason for the coaching, the spiritual training that we’re receiving through the Spirit.