²⁸ He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls. Proverbs 25:28 (AMPC)

Rule your own spirit. How? Jesus Christ: the author and finisher of our faith told us how. When He was hungry and thirsty, though he had the power to turn stone to bread but did not; Because he would rather obey the word of God and do His will. For publicity, Jesus could have jumped down from the pinnacle of the temple, he declined to tempt God but rather obey the word of God. And Like you and me, Jesus was tempted to trade off his Spirit for the glory of this vain world. He overcome the temptation by saying “^… Away with you, Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Matthew 4:10 Jesus Christ was treated like a criminal; wounded and hanged on a cross by those He came to save. He could have answered back with divine judgment, but he ruled his own spirit and prayed “… Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34 As you can see, in all instances, Our Lord and master referred his thought, words and actions to the word of God. This is how you rule your own spirit, and keep your spirit consistently awake or revived – Ever ready to rule against powers seeking to dominate your spirit.   

The three words (repentance, Resistance, and revival) come together in the operation of Revival. Repentance base on faith in God, and Resistance anchored on the word of God are the lifeline of revival. This kind of revival consistently transforms your life in Christ. It is more efficient and fulfilling to preserve life than to resuscitate one with revival machine. Therefore, Jesus said, “⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 There is no better way to rule your own Spirit than in Christ Jesus. Consider the following ingredients of revival.

1. The word of God is or should be the primary wall around your spirit. It is powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.  Your repentance and submission to God must have to do with the word of God as it is written. You must have a personal knowledge of the word of God free from human or intellectual interpretations. It is not how I see it but How God see and says it. The word of God as written will convict you of your sin, you must therefore repent and believe. In times of trial and tribulation, the word of God will be your anchor therefore submit to him. The push and pull of sin, Satan and the world system will not be able to break your spirit, because you are secured in Christ and his word. Whether it be pain or pleasure, fear or death, depression, or addiction; in all these things we are overcomers in Christ Jesus. Yes, your body soul and spirit may be attacked, so was Jesus, but he said “Be cheerful, I have overcome the world” John 16:33  Remember also, you can do all things through Christ, including rule over your own spirit. Philippians 4:13
2. Apply the word of God to yourself first and everything else. Then you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you, Jesus said. Prayer is how you apply God and His word to your life and situation. God makes a hedge (spiritual wall of fire) around the body soul and spirit of believers, who worship Him in spirit and in truth – watching and praying is key component of that. Job 1:10 In addition, prayer propels the performance of repentance and faith in God. For example, the prodigal son came to his senses and desired to return to His father and he did. His desire and resulting action are how you pray and get result. He applied the word of God to himself by saying “I will return”, in that moment he took control of His spirit from the world, he made a life changing desire and decision. That is the kind of prayer God hears and answers in an instance. Similarly, the act of Submitting to God and Resisting opposition occurs through prayer. Jesus prayed before the devil attacked him, he prayed in the garden before he gave his life to redeem you and I, and on the cross while in agony prayed to God.

Therefore, we cry for revival in prayer, because prayer is the life communication channel with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Praying is how you exercise your faith to rule your own spirit and perform spiritual life breathing exercise. Consequently, you can keep your relationship with God in Christ alive, well and powerful. As a Christian, you must pray with your thought, word, and faithful actions, these are the ingredients of prayer and you cannot have one without the other when you pray. We will continue from here next week (I am sorry could not finish today as promised) Meanwhile if you are not a Christian or you have lost control of your own spirit, do not wait, repent and believe Jesus today. Be blessed and be safe in Jesus Name. God bless you