Rule Over Your Spirit

Rule Over Your Spirit

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control

(Proverbs 25:28 NIV).

Someone once asked me “ Servant, how do I get over my addictions? I have tried speaking to them but I am still tempted to do the same things. What should I do?”

First, you’re not supposed to be speaking to your addictions, but to yourself. You can talk to your addictions all year long, but nothing will change.

Secondly, you have to add some other qualities to your faith; such as temperance; this will help you gain the mastery over any addictions.

What anyone who’s struggling with addiction needs is to exercise rule over his spirit. You declare to yourself “I have self-control and I am going to put it to work; I have rule over my spirit.” When you make such declarations, it’ll pilot you and help you bring your thoughts, will, emotions and physical senses into subjection to the Word of God. The word “rule” is akin to the Greek word “Egkrateia” which means temperance or self-control. It’s a restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions or desires. It means to hold oneself in.

Without this quality, one is vulnerable or susceptible to the attacks of the enemy. Proverbs 25:28 says “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” And that’s terrible! The enemy can come into that city and plunder it because the walls are broken down. Refuse to be a city without walls; have rule over your spirit. 2 Peter 1:5-9 says “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance….” God wants you to have rule over your spirit, that’s why He put these beautiful qualities in your spirit to make you fruitful always.

The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22 lists temperance as a feature of your recreated human spirit: “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” No Christian should say “Well, I can’t control my desires” or “I have no rule over my spirit.” What you need do is to let your spirit gain the mastery. Through the agency of the Word of God and the influence of God’s Spirit, your spirit is regulated to gain the mastery over your mind, body and emotions.

Prayer

Dear Father,

I declare that I am not under servitude to any attitude, habit, addiction or lifestyle that is inconsistent with your perfect will for me. I allow your Word to have full control over my spirit, soul and body therefore; I have the ability to make the right judgments and choices in Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

2Peter 1:5-6;Proverbs 16:32

DAILY SCRIPTUREREADING

Year Bible reading plan: Matthew 3: 1 – 9; 1Genesis 5

2 Year Bible reading plan: Acts 7:22-32; Nehemiah 9