In James 1:5-8, double-mindedness is presented as an unstable and doubt-prone state of being. Characterized by inconsistent beliefs and actions, it can result in a life marked by instability and confusion. The analogy of a wave tossed by the wind illustrates the lack of commitment and tendency to waver between trust and doubt that defines double-mindedness.

James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Double-mindedness can truly be tormenting and God wills for his people to be free of this mental and spiritual state.

The Spiritual Root of Double-Mindedness

Doubt is at the root of double-mindedness. It is the driving force that leads to a divided mind, often manifesting in emotional instability and a lack of peace. The enemy exploits our doubt to undermine our faith. This ongoing inner conflict can tear a person between two opposing forces, leading to double-mindedness.

Recognizing the Signs of Double-mindedness

Double-mindedness can be identified by its characteristicss, which include emotional volatility, uncertainty in decision-making, confusion, and a tendency to compromise with sin. It’s a condition that can creep into our lives unnoticed, but when recognized, can be addressed through spiritual discipline and a commitment to God.

For further information and a more in-depth exploration of the subject matter, please refer to the article titled “7 Characteristics of a Double-Minded Believer,”.

Steps to Overcome Double-mindedness

To break the stronghold of double-mindedness, you must first submit to God by having faith in him, resist the devil, and ask the Holy Spirit to purify your heart. This involves us drawing near to God, repenting of double-mindedness by renouncing our lack of faith and trust in Him and seeking wisdom and guidance from the Lord. 

James 4:7-10

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Double-mindedness can also come from demonic spirits that need to be cast out. If you feel your double-mind is out of your control, seek deliverance from your Pastor.

Freedom from double-mindedness comes by repenting of the doubt that led us into it. Once we repent, the Lord can free us of this condition. From there, we need the Holy Spirit to fill us again with his power and yield our hearts and minds to Christ.

Discover more resources for spiritual growth and finding your identity in Christ. Check out “Child of the Most High,” a book designed to guide you on this transformative journey. Get your copy here.

Maintaining a Single-minded Focus

The bible teaches that we have the mind of Christ but many times we find ourselves struggling with double-mindedness because we do not yield our minds over to Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16:

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Cultivating a single-minded focus requires discipline and intentionality. To come out of this lifestyle, we need to yield our minds to Christ. 

This involves developing a consistent prayer and bible study routine, resisting temptation with the help of the Holy Spirit, and avoiding compromise with sin. By doing so, you can achieve emotional stability, a deeper connection with God, and having a Christ-like mind that is free from a divided focus.

Breaking the stronghold of double-mindedness can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit. We need to rely on his strength to overcome.

The Importance of Commitment

In the face of double-mindedness, commitment to God is key. It takes courage to confront the areas of our lives that are divided, and a firm commitment to God’s guidance to overcome the confusion and instability that come with double-mindedness. By choosing to trust God fully, we can break free from the stronghold of doubt and fear.

Jesus tells us that we cannot serve two masters. We either love one and hate the other. This rule also applies to double-mindedness as double-mindedness causes us to waver between two conflicting forces.

Matthew 6:24

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Likewise, in the time of Elijah, we see the Israelites facing this very thing. They were conflicted between the God of Israel and the false god, Baal.

1 Kings 18:21

21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.

Double-mindedness can result in destruction to the point where our hearts can turn away from God to pursue false things.

The Path to Peace and Stability

To truly overcome double-mindedness, it’s important that we ask the Holy Spirit to give us commitment to him. Our yes needs to be yes.

Matthew 5:37

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

The path to peace and stability is paved with the principles of submission, resistance, and drawing near to God. By embracing these truths and actively working to purify our hearts, we can find the inner peace that comes from a single-minded focus on God. This journey is not easy, but with perseverance and faith, it is possible to live a life free from the turmoil of double-mindedness.

If you were blessed by this article, consider sharing it with a friend.

The post How to Break the Stronghold of Double-mindedness appeared first on Unlocking Scripture .

Table of Contents

• Definition of Double-Mindedness
• Inconsistency in Prayer and Worship
• Indecision in Decision Making
• Lack of Trust in God’s Plan
• Tendency to Compromise with Sin
• Unstable Emotions and Attitudes
• Difficulty in Maintaining Relationships

What is a Double-Minded Man

In the Bible, a double-minded man, as mentioned in James 1:8, is someone who lacks stability in various aspects of life. This term describes an individual who struggles with commitment and consistency in their thoughts, beliefs, and actions, even if they profess faith in God. This struggle is evident in irregular prayer habits, difficulty making decisions, and a reluctance to trust in God’s plan, resulting in heightened anxiety. Overcoming this state involves seeking guidance from God, resisting temptations, focusing on the reliability of God, and consistently investing in meaningful relationships.

What does it mean to be double-minded

Being double-minded refers to being conflicted between opposing thoughts, beliefs, and opinions. We see this example in 1 Kings 18:21 where Elijah confronts the Israelites about wavering between following God or the false god Baal.

When a person is double minded, they are tossed between conflicting viewpoints as James describes. This stems from the persons doubt and manifests itself In a lack of commitment, consistency, and faith.

Inconsistency in Prayer and Worship

One of the most evident characteristics of a double-minded believer is inconsistency in prayer and worship. They may have moments of deep devotion and spiritual fervor, but this is often followed by periods of apathy or neglect. Inconsistent prayer and worship can lead to a weakened relationship with God and a lack of spiritual growth.

Indecision in Decision Making

Double-minded believers often struggle with indecision in decision-making. They may be torn between following God’s will and pursuing their own desires. This indecision can lead to missed opportunities and a lack of direction in life. To overcome indecision, it’s important to seek God’s guidance through prayer and the study of His Word.

Discover more resources for spiritual growth and finding your identity in Christ. Check out "Child of the Most High," a book designed to guide you on this transformative journey. 

Lack of Trust in God’s Plan

Another characteristic of a double-minded believer is a lack of trust in God’s plan. They may struggle to fully surrender their future to God and instead rely on their own abilities and plans. This lack of trust can lead to anxiety and fear and can hinder spiritual growth. To overcome this, it’s important to meditate on God’s promises and trust in His sovereignty.

Tendency to Compromise with Sin

Double-minded believers may also struggle with a tendency to compromise with sin. They may know what is right but struggle to resist temptation, leading to a cycle of guilt and shame. To overcome this, it’s important to confess sin and ask for forgiveness, and to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to resist temptation.

Unstable Emotions and Attitudes

Double-minded believers may experience unstable emotions and attitudes, often fluctuating between joy and despair, hope and doubt, and faith and fear. This instability can lead to a lack of peace and stability in one’s life. To overcome this, it’s important to focus on God’s faithfulness and to develop a consistent prayer and study routine.

Difficulty in Maintaining Relationships

Finally, double-minded believers may struggle to maintain relationships, both with God and with others. They may struggle with trust issues and a lack of commitment, leading to strained relationships. To overcome this, it’s important to seek reconciliation and forgiveness and to develop a habit of consistently investing in relationships.

Conclusion

Double-mindedness is a common struggle among believers, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent state. By recognizing the characteristics of a double-minded believer and seeking God’s help and guidance, we can learn how to break the stronghold of double-mindedness and cultivate a deeper, more consistent relationship with God.

The post 7 Characteristics of a Double-Minded Believer appeared first on Unlocking Scripture .

This life-changing experience allows Christians to be more effective witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ and live in spirit-led power.

We’ll go over what it biblically means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit so you can be blessed in your Christian life.

What is The Baptism of The Holy Spirit

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is when a person receives the gift of the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion as a result of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and savior.

This experience equips believers with the power of the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses in ministry for the spreading of the gospel and joins them to the body of Christ.

Acts 1:8

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

This first occurred after Jesus ascended back to heaven. In the book of Acts, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit began to fill the apostles in a way never seen before in the old testament.

The Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles and the early church and caused them to speak in new tongues.

As a result, there were about three thousand souls added to the church.

Acts 2:1-4

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested1 on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

When do we receive the Holy Spirit?

When a new believer accepts Jesus Christ into their heart, the Holy Spirit immediately comes to indwell the new Christian and empowers them for ministry.

The apostle Paul confirms this in Ephesians when he tells us that when we heard the word and believe in Christ Jesus, we were sealed with the Spirit of God.

Ephesians 1:13

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

1 Corinthians 12:13

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

What is the difference between being filled with the holy spirit and being baptized?

Contrary to popular belief, water baptism, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and the event of being baptized in the Holy Spirit are all different things.

John the baptist makes mention of this when he says that he baptizes with water but Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Luke 3:16

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Baptism in water

The first thing we should notice is that John the baptist puts more importance on the baptism that comes from Jesus Christ than his own baptism.

John’s baptism was with submersion in water as a sign of repentance for one’s sins.

Matthew 3:11

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Baptism by water before Jesus Christ was a sign of repentance and preparation for the coming messiah.

Water baptism today (post Jesus death & resurrection) is a sign of conversion. This act is done in obedience to the Lord Jesus to symbolize ourselves joining in his death and resurrection.

The first part of water baptism today involves believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, repenting of sin, and being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:4

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Acts 2:38

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Baptism of The Holy Spirit

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is different from being baptized in water. This baptism is the result of the Holy Spirit coming to dwell in the new believer’s life to make them an effective witness for Christ.

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit happens after conversion.

Baptism in the Spirit is something every Christian receives at salvation. This is when the Holy Spirit seals us for redemption and joins us to the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Being Filled With The Holy Spirit

A commonly used term in the New Testament is “the infilling of the Holy Spirit”.

The infilling of the Holy Spirit can be described as when the Spirit of God fills us with his power, boldness, love, wisdom, and gifts.

This is something that occurs numerous times in the life of a Christian and is something the bible teaches us to continually seek after.

The bible teaches us to be filled with the Spirit repeatedly. This is something that should increase in our lives.

Ephesians 5:18

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

The fullness of the Holy Spirit will result in love, thankfulness, and renewed worship.

In addition, being filled with the Spirit will result in increased sanctification, service, and spiritual gifts.

Does The baptism of the holy spirit always result in speaking in tongues

A common question is if the baptism of the Holy Spirit always results in speaking in tongues.

The short answer is no.

I say that because the apostles were in a unique period of time where the old covenant was passing and the new covenant was entering. The apostles actually received the Holy Spirit at Jesus’ resurrection but were baptized in his Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

John 20:21-22

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Though speaking in tongues was prominent in the book of acts, the Holy Spirit chooses what gift believers will receive.

1 Corinthians 12:11

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

More often than not, the result is speaking in tongues but there are many believers who are filled with the spirit that do not have the gift of tongues. That doesn’t make them any less spiritual than the one who speaks in tongues.

How Do I Receive The Gift of The Holy Spirit?

Receiving the promised gift of the Holy Spirit is available to everyone who opens their heart to God.

Receiving the Holy Spirit is to allow him to move in your heart. He will shape the course of your thoughts, actions, and plans. The Spirit becomes your guide and counselor.

The first step is simple, accept Jesus Christ into your heart. If you call out to Him, He will respond.

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

1) You Need To Be Born-Again

To receive the Holy Spirit, you must allow Jesus to truly be your Lord and savior. This requires a change of lifestyle. You will need to submit your entire life to him.

you must do as Peter listed in the book of Acts. Repent, be baptized, and turn from this world. This is part of being born again.

Another thing we must do is BELIEVE.

Believing is not just acknowledging the existence of God, but trusting in his finished work and plan of salvation.

Mark 16:16

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Ephesians 1:13

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

2) You Need To Put Your Faith In God

The bible teaches us that without faith it is impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

The key here is that we must believe not only in God alone but in the fact that he rewards those who seek him.

To receive the Holy Spirit into your heart, you must believe that God is able to give His Spirit to you.

you must believe that Jesus died for your sins, rose again, and is seated at the right hand of the father.

God is looking to give a fresh outpouring of his Holy Spirit on those who will draw near to Him in faith.

Luke 11:13

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Hebrews 10:38

but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.

3) You Simply Need To Ask

God wants believers today to walk in the power of his Spirit.

Receiving power and a fresh filling from God is not something you have to convince Him into. God wants to do it.

Tell him today. The Father promised His Spirit to all who would believe in the name of Jesus.

Rid yourself of any indwelling sin and ask God to make you a pure vessel for His Spirit to dwell in.

God will give his grace and a new life to anyone who asks.

Matthew 7:7

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Prayer To Receive The Baptism of The Holy Spirit

Father God,

I come to you today in the name of your son Jesus. I thank you that you have sent your son to not only die for me but also live on my behalf. Because of his sacrifice, I believe I can receive your Spirit.

I ask Lord Jesus, that you would come into my heart, be my Lord and savior and baptize me today with your Holy Spirit.

Set me apart for your own glory and will. May you empower me today to fulfill the ministry you have called me to for the spreading of the gospel.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Being Filled With The Holy Spirit Is An Ongoing Experience

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event.

The bible teaches us that the filling of the Holy Spirit is an ongoing experience. Our journey as Christians requires us to constantly seek after God, asking Him to give us more of Him so we can live the life that God called us to live for His glory. We are warned not to quench the Spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Do not quench the Spirit.

Conclusion

The spirit’s baptism is available for all believers. Once you accept Christ and are born again, you are baptized into the family of believers.

I pray that today, you will walk in the power of God and fulfill all that he has called you to.

If you were blessed by this article, share it and leave a comment below.

You can also support the ministry by signing up for our email list to stay updated with new content or learn more from my book Child of The Most High.

God bless you.

The post What Is The Baptism of The Holy Spirit? How To Receive The Baptism of The Holy Spirit appeared first on Unlocking Scripture .

That doesn’t mean you have to walk defeated. As a Christian, the power of the Holy Spirit is available for you to overcome every obstacle.

In fact, this is the same power that performed miraculous works through the early church of Acts and is available to you RIGHT now.

If you want to learn how to walk in the Holy Spirit’s power, keep reading.

I’m going to explain everything you need to know about receiving the Holy Spirit’s power for your life today.

Let’s jump right in.

What Is The Power of The Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit’s power is the power of God working through believers to be witnesses of the Gospel.

This power leads Christians to reach the lost through the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit , miracles, and signs & wonders to lead people to salvation and expand the kingdom of God.

The power of the Holy Spirit is what empowered the supernatural work we’ve seen Jesus do in the gospels as well as the early church in the book of Acts.

Some examples include:

• Casting out Demons (Matthew 12:28)
• Healing the sick (Acts 3:6-10)
• Performing miracles (Hebrews 2:4)
• Sharing the Gospel with boldness (Acts 1:8)

The Power of the Holy Spirit is the Power of God

The power of the Holy Spirit is mentioned all throughout the Bible but most notably in the book of Acts.

The Holy Spirit empowered men in the Bible to achieve things that would otherwise be impossible to expand the kingdom of God and bring people to salvation. This came from the apostles being baptized in the Holy Spirit

Many people ask themselves, what is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? the Bible mentions the baptism of the Holy Spirit & his act of “infilling”. This is the power that comes as a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

The best example we see is in Jesus Christ.

After his baptism (which mentions that the Holy Spirit descended upon him), Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Luke 4:1 – And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness

The first thing that’s mentioned is that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit before going into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. 

This shows us that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we receive power to resist temptation.

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would empower men in the bible to carry out His will but He did not permanently indwell God’s people like He does today.

Today, we have the promised Holy Spirit living within us and He enables us to fulfill God’s will.

What is the role of the Holy Spirit?

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to work in believers while on Earth and bring us to the revelation of Jesus.

His main role is to apply the finished work of Christ into our lives.

The Bible mentions all throughout the New Testament that the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live godly lives.

His ministry involves the following:

• He teaches us and guides us (John 14:26)
• He comforts us and bears witness of Christ (John 15:26)
• He sanctifies us and makes us like Christ (1 Peter 1:2)

John 3:16 tells us that Jesus was sent to save the world from sin and death but he also came to establish his church and make us like him.

When you come to know Jesus, the Holy Spirit seals you as his until the day of His return.

Ephesians 1:13-14

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 

14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

What does it mean to live in the power of the Holy Spirit?

Living in the power of the Spirit is to live a life that is equipped by God for good works.

The power that the Holy Spirit gives us is not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of the church and the lost souls.

It’s great to be able to be used to perform miracles, signs, and wonders but, the sign of the Holy Spirit working in a person’s life is shown by the fruit of the Spirit.

Living in the Holy Spirits’ power is to live a life in the fullness of godliness and being in a position to be readily used by Him.

How do you receive the power of the Holy Spirit?

Receiving the Holy Spirit’s power is not something that is supposed to be complicated.

God intends for us to walk in his power.

Jesus has permanently given us the Holy Spirit as our teacher, guide, and comforter.

To receive power from the Holy Spirit, can only come from humility.

The Spirit of God will not fill a vessel that is prideful. To receive power, we must have the following:

• A clean & forgiven heart
• Forgiveness towards others
• Faith
• Obedience to Christ
• a submitted mind to Christ

It all starts with prayer.

If you open up your heart and cry out to God, he will respond but, we need to have faith in the Lord.

God wants us to desire more of his Spirit in our lives and is willing to give him to us. Pray and ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit.

Ask Him to cleanse you of any sin that hinders his Spirit working in you and forgive anyone who has sinned against you.

If you do this with faith and forgiveness towards others, God will hear you but, you must commit yourself to seek Him until you find him.

Jeremiah 29:13: You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

The post What Is The Power of The Holy Spirit? -The Power Jesus Promised His Disciples appeared first on Unlocking Scripture .

Like you, 

When I became a Christian, I wanted to learn how to study the bible but had no idea where to begin.

The Bible always came across to me as overwhelming. 
Because of this, I did exactly what the writer of Ecclesiastes said not to do:

Ecclesiastes 11:4 – Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.

I was missing out on spiritual growth because I wasn’t taking action.

Intimidation wasn’t allowing me to get started.

Fear can cripple your progress and the same is true for your spiritual growth.

That’s why I’m going to show you the best way to start learning the bible as a beginner.

These are the same methods I use to grow my knowledge of God’s word.

Why Study The Bible?

The bible offers a lot for anyone looking to understand it but, we must learn it as Christians.
The first thing we should know is that studying the bible increases our faith.

Romans 10:17 – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Learning the Bible is more about building a relationship with God than learning.

John 14:21 – Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

The bible is our source to know God and how he wants us to live.

Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Studying The Bible vs Reading The Bible – What’s The Difference?

We can all agree that the bible has much more to say than what we hear on Sundays.

Let’s take a moment to define the difference between studying the bible vs reading the bible.

Reading the bible is as simple as it sounds…reading.

Meaning, only reading what’s on the surface but not going deeper than that.

Not a bad idea if you want to save yourself from overload but it has many limitations.

Think of it this way.

A baby has to eat…right?

If a baby doesn’t graduate from milk to solid food, she will never get stronger and will have health problems.

1 Peter 2: 2-3: Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Growth happens when the baby graduates from milk to solid food.

The same goes for a Christian.

We should graduate from reading to studying the bible.

Studying the Bible requires a lot more effort but with the hard work, there are high rewards.

The Bible promises wisdom, joy, & knowledge to all who seek after it.

God’s word instructs Christians to become proficient in bible knowledge.

2 Timothy 3:16-17: 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

How Should A Beginner Read The Bible?

It can be intimidating to start studying the bible.

Let’s remember that we are imperfect beings approaching a book that is divine. There are many things we can’t understand.

Here are a few methods to help you get started.

1.Start With Prayer

With this in mind, we need to approach Bible study with prayer.

God gives us his Holy Spirit to teach us his word.

John 14:26 – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

The Holy Spirit gives us gifts in understanding God’s word to us. Before reading the bible, we should ask God to give us understanding.

2.Set Dedicated Time For Bible Study

Nothing can replace focus.

When we are free from distractions, we gain the most results.

Bible study is no exception. We need to set aside time to start learning the bible.

Start with something realistic.

If you have a hectic lifestyle or feel unmotivated to read, start with 10 minutes a day

After you get comfortable with that, double that time every week.

3.Read The Bible Every day

As it’s important to dedicate time for Bible study, it’s also important to read your bible daily.

Learning God’s word is a lifelong journey and Bible study is a commitment.

If we are faithful, God will bless our understanding and grow our knowledge of his word.

But consistency is key.

2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

4.Reflect on What You Have Read

An important part of bible study is to reflect on what you have read.

Joshua 1:8 teaches us the importance of meditating on God’s word. We do this to allow God to change us and understand his word.

Joshua 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

A great method for reflecting on the bible is to use a journal.

This can be a great method for jotting down your thoughts on how God is speaking to you.

5. Apply What You Learned

One of the major keys to spiritual growth is applying the word of God to your life.

James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Bible study without applying what it says to your life is wasted information.

James tells us that we are only fooling ourselves when we do that.

Studying the Bible should make us more like Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you apply the Bible to your life.

What Is The Easiest Way To Study The Bible?

There’s many ways to start studying the Bible.

I encourage you to find a method that works for you.

Here are the bible study methods I recommend for everyone when starting out.

1.Start With The New Testament (Gospels First)

The New Testament is the best place for any believer to start learning the bible.

The most important books of the bible that you should be familiar with first are the gospels.

These are the stories & teachings of Jesus Christ our savior. This is the foundation of bible study.

Our main focus for studying the bible is to know Jesus more and to be more like him. (1 Peter 3:18)

Start with the gospel of John. It teaches us the core principles of our faith such as:

1. Why Jesus is the Son of God
   
2. Why He came to die for us
   
3. The salvation God will provide
   
4. Believing in him for salvation

John’s gospel has the nickname “The gospel of belief” because the word “believe” is found nearly 100 times.

A perfect gospel to strengthen your faith in Jesus!

After getting a firm understanding of John, move on to the other gospels.

These are the 4 books you want to master. If you understand the gospels, you will have a strong foundation to understand all the books of the bible.

After you finish the gospels, move on in this order:

1. Book of Acts (learn what the church is supposed to be)
   
2. The epistles of Paul & Peter
   
3. The letter of James

I recommend repeating this process before reading the book of Revelation.

2.Use Bible Study Resources

One of my favorite methods for bible study is to use resources.

This includes books, study bibles (more on that later), and even videos.

Here are some of my favorites:

Blue Letter Bible

Blueletterbible.org is an amazing resource for anyone looking to learn the bible.

It includes devotionals & commentaries from many great teachers as well as tools to help you dive deep into scripture.

Best of all, it’s free.

I use this for quick access to scriptures, sermon preparation, and word study.

You can dive into the Hebrew and Greek languages which gives me a stronger understanding of what I’m reading.

YouVersion

Many of you are probably already familiar with the YouVersion Bible App.

But you may not know the other features it offers.

A key to any good bible study is to do it with a friend.

With YouVersion, you can engage in a community to partner with like-minded people on a journey to grow spiritually also.

I love YouVersion for its flexibility. I use it when I’m studying on the go.

Study Guides & Commentaries

I’m a HUGE fan of using study guides and commentaries to aid my bible study.

There are plenty of good study guides that you can use to deepen your knowledge of the word.

When choosing a commentary or study guide, always do your research to make sure the content aligns with what the bible says.

If you’re unsure, bring it to your Pastor for his approval.

Here are a few study guides that I love:

1. Rose Guide to the Gospels: Side-By-Side Charts and Overviews
   
2. Rose Book of Charts, Maps & Time Lines, Volumes 1, 2, and 3 Bundle
   
3. Nelson’s Compact Series: Compact Bible Commentary
   
4. Sunday – The Bible Study

Having study guides & commentaries can give you a rich bible study experience.

This is a must for any serious student of the word.

Having maps, charts, and commentary from world-renowned scholars is invaluable.

Try Different Bible Study Methods

There are plenty of ways you can study the bible. Finding what works for you is important.

Here are a few methods for you to try:

1. Topical Studies – This is my favorite method of bible study. You pick a topic and research what the bible says about it (i.e “Fruit of the Holy Spirit”)
   
2. Devotional – Devotional studies are great for studying the bible with other people. I like to use devotionals as a way to study the bible with my wife.
   
3. Bible Journaling – This is something I do on and off but many people love. Bible journaling can be a great way to connect yourself to God’s word. There are even Bibles made just for journaling.
   
4. Partner Studies – As the bible says, “Iron sharpens iron”, studying with a partner is very effective. Having a friend study with you is a good way to stay accountable and committed.

The best place to be consistent is your church.

Attending bible study service is a great place to ask questions and grow spiritually.

Try The SOAP Method

If you’ve never heard of the SOAP method, its an acronym for:

• S – Scripture

• O – Observation

• A – Application

• P – Prayer

This is a great way to start learning the bible if you don’t know where to start.

Many devotionals advise using the SOAP method but you can apply this to any bible study method.

The best way to get the most out of the SOAP method is to follow along with a journal.

The “S” is for scripture. You pick a scripture that stands out to you and that is your area of focus.

The “O” is for observation. You “observe” or reflect on the scripture that you chose.

“A” is for application. Reflect on how you can apply what you learned to your everyday life.

“P” is for prayer. Combine everything you did and bring it to God in prayer.

SOAP is definitely one of my favorite bible study methods.

What Version of The Bible Should A Beginner Use?

Picking a Bible translation that you can understand is key to a good study.

I recommend starting with something easy and progressing to a more advanced version.

Here are the best Bible translations from beginner to advanced:

1. New Living Translation – This is a version that is good for reading the Bible in modern English. 6th-grade reading level
   
2. Christian Standard Bible – This Bible reads in modern English and is good for deeper study. 7th-grade reading level.
   
3. English Standard Version – My favorite translation for deep Bible study. This translation is very rich and informative but also more difficult to read. 10th-grade reading level.

Click here for more information on Bible Translations & reading levels.

This progression will have you well on your way to becoming a Bible study expert.

The Best Study Bible’s For Beginners

Study Bibles are an essential resource for getting deeper into God’s word. 

The problem is that some can be very overwhelming.

But no worries, I did the hard work for you and picked out a few that I know would serve you well.

Jesus Centered Bible NLT

The Jesus Centered Bible is an amazing bible for new believers looking to understand God’s word.

It does a great job of keeping your focus on getting to know Jesus as you read through the scriptures. 

It’s also in the NLT version so it’s easy to understand with great commentary to help grow your faith.

Life Application Study Bible NLT

Like the Jesus Centered Bible,

the Life Application Bible is another great study bible for new believers.

This is a good Bible to purchase after or along with the Jesus Centered bible.

It goes into much more detail about the word.

This Bible features maps, commentary, and in-depth information on applying the Bible to your life.

ESV Study Bible

This is the most advanced of the three but also the most powerful.

This study bible has rich information to help you understand the Bible on a much deeper level.

Since it is a lot of information, I recommend purchasing this one last.

The ESV Study Bible has been an invaluable resource in my personal study.

How Can I Study The Bible And Enjoy It?

Studying the Bible should be an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, we don’t always feel that way.

Many times we will look at the cover of our bible and let out a sigh of overwhelming.

It’s not meant to be that way. God always intended for us to enjoy bible study.

Psalm 1:2 – But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

So how can we enjoy bible study?

This can only come if you start reading but here are some tips to help:

1. Join a bible study group – if your church has bible study groups, joining one will be a great way to be entertained while growing in the word.
   
2. Personalize your bible – Your bible is yours. Personalize it with highlighting, stickers, & art. Get creative!
   
3. Learn with videos – I enjoy researching my study topics online. One of my favorite sources Is the Bible Project on YouTube.

Combining the 3 above will help you be entertained as you study the bible. Be creative and it will help you stay committed.

Benefits Of Studying The Bible

Studying the Bible is a must for every Christian.

We all are called to become proficient in God’s word.

There are many benefits to studying the bible. Here are a few to name:

1. The Bible is your guide to life
   
2. The Bible teaches you who God truly is
   
3. Knowing the Bible keeps us from false doctrine
   
4. The Bible gives us wisdom, knowledge, & understanding
   
5. It will prepare you for life’s challenges

This list goes on. Growing your knowledge of God’s word will have lifelong benefits to come.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Where To Go From Here

I hope you received from this beginner’s study guide.

Applying this guide to your bible study will help you study effectively.

With what you learned today, you will be well on your way to growing spiritually.

The next steps would be:

1. Studying the Old Testament
   
2. Study Proverbs & Psalms
   
3. Start a bible reading plan

The important thing is to start studying the bible!

If you want to grow your knowledge of God’s word, join our email list to receive updates on new guides & articles for every stage of your Christian journey.

The post How To Study The Bible For Beginners: The Step-By-Step Guide appeared first on Unlocking Scripture .

God provides for his children in a number of ways including:

• Financially
• Your health & well being
• Physical needs like food, clothing, & shelter
• Spiritual & emotional needs like love & fellowship
• And many more

God’s provision is mentioned many times in the Bible that it’s apparent he will take care of us.

Sometimes trusting in God can be difficult. Especially in unprecedented times.

But, in times of uncertainty is where God wants us to trust him the most as he will provide you with the power of the Holy Spirit to get you through.

I’ve compiled a list of my top 20 Bible verses on how God will provide. So if you are struggling to trust him for provision, read these 20 scriptures.

Bible Verses On Financial Provision

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

Deuteronomy 8:18

And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Philippians 4:19

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Malachi 3:10

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Bible Verses About Health Provision

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Jeremiah 30:17

But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD.

1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.

Bible Verses About Provision For Physical Needs

2 Corinthians 9:18

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Psalm 23:1

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Proverbs 10:3

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Bible Verses On Provision For Spiritual Needs

1 Peter 4:10

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

Matthew 21:22

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 7:11

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Final Thoughts

We can trust God to provide for all our needs. 

Jesus made it clear to us that if we are children of God, he will not withhold good from us. God is rich in his grace & mercy to take care of us.

Do you have a need for God’s provision?

Bring your prayer before him and believe with faith that he will meet those needs. God is with you.

Now it’s your turn.

What are some of your favorite verses on God’s provision? Leave them in the comments below.

The post God Will Provide: Finding Comfort in Scripture with These Bible Verses appeared first on Unlocking Scripture .

Have you ever stopped to think about what the gifts of the Holy Spirit are?

As Christians, we’re called to walk in a close relationship with the Holy Spirit.

He empowers us to edify the church yet, we may find it difficult to do.

Why is that?

One simple reason can be that we struggle to understand the power of the Holy Spirit

What Are The 9 Gifts Of The Holy Spirit?

In the Bible, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are spiritual gifts that help believers serve God & humanity. 

These are gifts that God imparts into the lives of Christians for building up the church. 

Spiritual gifts are “any ability empowered by the Holy Spirit used in any ministry of the church”.

These gifts relate to natural abilities such as teaching, giving love, serving, etc. 

They are also spiritual capabilities such as healing, prophecy, discernment of spirits, etc.

We’re going to take a deep dive into spiritual gifts but if you’re on a time crunch, here is what we will cover:

1. The Person & Work Of The Holy Spirit
2. Who Is The Holy Spirit?
3. The Work Of The Holy Spirit
4. Gifts Of The Holy Spirit That Empower Our Christian Life
5. The Gifts Of Five-Fold Ministry
6. Spiritual Gifts In Our Natural Abilities
7. Supernatural Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
8. Understanding The Purpose Of Spiritual Gifts
9. How To Know What Your Gifts Are
10. Conclusion

Let’s jump right in!

The Person & Work Of The Holy Spirit

If we talk about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it’s only right to talk about the gift-giver Himself, the Holy Spirit.

Understanding the person and work of the Holy Spirit is critical to what we are going to speak about. 

You can’t put His gifts to use without knowing Him through a relationship.

So let’s take some time to get to know him before we go any further starting with His personhood.

Who Is The Holy Spirit?

One thing we need to make clear from the beginning is that the Holy Spirit is an actual person. 

He is not an impersonal force or influence but has all the characteristics that make up a person. The Holy Spirit is God. As God the father & the Son have always existed, the Holy Spirit has always existed and been at work with them.

Here are indications of the Holy Spirit always existing from the bible:

• He was there during creation – Genesis 1:2 – The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

• The Holy Spirit moved the prophets with God’s word – 2 Peter 1:21 – For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The scriptures show us that the Holy Spirit has always existed.

He has always participated in God’s work throughout history.

It’s important for Christians to know the Holy Spirit and be in a relationship with him for us to grow spiritually.

John 3:5

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

This verse shows us that not knowing the Holy Spirit is not something new. It has been an issue since the early church. 

Acts 19:2:

And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

As Jesus said we must be born of the Spirit, we need to make an effort to know him.

Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of the Holy Spirit and what the bible says:

As a person, the Holy Spirit contains these characteristics:

• He has life – Romans 8:2 – For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

• He has emotions – Ephesians 4:30- And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption

• He is a thinking being and has a will – 1 Corinthians 2:10 -But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 12:11 – All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

• He Teaches, guides, and comforts – 1 Corinthians 2:13 – And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

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

John 16:7 – Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you

These characteristics make up personhood and He carries much more than that. See Is The Holy Spirit A Person? For more information.

The Work Of The Holy Spirit

Since we have taken a look at the personhood of the Holy Spirit, let’s now look at the work he’s involved in.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit tie believers to the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Understanding the Holy Spirit’s ministry allows Christians to use his gifts effectively.

His work can be defined as manifesting the presence of God in the world and the church. 

His ministry is to do God’s work in the world. He carries on the work he empowered Jesus to do through his church.

The Holy Spirit’s work is to complete and sustain the plans of God and to carry on the work that Jesus had begun in the world.

Here are 4 ways the Holy Spirit works:

1. He Empowers – Acts 1:18: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
2. He Purifies – 1 Corinthians 6:11: And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
3. He Reveals – John 16:13: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
4. He Brings Unity – 2 Corinthians 13:14: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (see also Acts 2:44-47)

I want to make it a point that these works are not for granted. The spirit of God responds to us by giving us evidence of His presence. The evidence of His presence can either be strong or weak depending on our obedience to him and if we are in sin.

Gifts Of The Holy Spirit That Empower Our Christian Life

There have been many arguments about the gifts of the Holy Spirit over the years. There are so many different opinions about them and these opinions do much more harm than good.

I say this for one simple reason. The bible needs to be our end-all-be-all. Not man’s opinions.

With that said, It is best to explain the gifts of the Spirit through the authoritative word of God.

I’m sure one of the questions that led you to this article was “How many gifts are there?” Well, there are many gifts, even some that we don’t usually recognize as gifts. Let’s see what the bible has to say:

The Gifts Of Five-Fold Ministry

Ephesians 4:11

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.

So here the Bible gives us a list of 5 spiritual gifts that Christ gives to the church. 

• Apostles

• Prophets

• Evangelists

• Pastors

• Teachers

These are the gifts of 5 fold ministry.

God develops these gifts in a person to build them into their ministry also known as their “calling”. 

These ministries make up the foundation of the church. A sign of a healthy church will have some if not all these ministries in effect. In case you are not familiar with the 5 fold ministry, let me explain.

All gifts of the 5 fold ministry have a specific function and it is to serve the church.

A person gifted in one of these ministries can serve in another ministry but only one will be their calling.

For example, a Pastor is not both a Pastor and an Evangelist. 

A Pastor can evangelize, but pastoring is the main ministry God has him responsible for.

That is his spiritual gift and calling.

The 5 fold ministry are the pillars that hold the church together with Jesus as the center.

Spiritual Gifts In Our Natural Abilities

So are there only 5 spiritual gifts? Actually, there’s more.

Romans 12:6-8

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Romans mentions other spiritual gifts that easily get overlooked.

• Serving

• Encouraging

• Giving

• Leadership

• Kindness

All these gifts reflect the very character of Jesus as he was on earth. If we take a look at each one, it is exactly what Jesus did and commanded us to do.

You see, not every gift that comes from the Holy Spirit is outside our natural abilities. He actually empowers some of our natural abilities for the glory of God.

Let’s take a look at some verses based on the other gifts we mentioned above.

Servanthood

Matthew 20:28

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Encouraging

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Giving

Proverbs 11:25

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Leadership

Mark 10:43

But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,

Kindness

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

A good verse that summarizes this is 1 Peter 4:11.

1 Peter 4:11

Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Supernatural Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

I’m sure this is the section of the article that you’re most interested in. Let’s break down the gifts of the spirit that are above our natural abilities.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10

To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

So here is the list of supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit:

1. Word of wisdom
2. Word of knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of healing
5. Prophecy
6. Miracles
7. Discerning Spirits
8. Tongues
9. Interpretation Of Tongues

Now to anyone reading this for the first time, this may be hard to understand but don’t worry. I’m going to cover this in detail to help you understand better.

Let’s start with the first in order and flow from there.

Word Of Wisdom

A word of wisdom is a beautiful gift from God that helps bring clarity to a confused person or situation. This is a gift from the Spirit as it edifies other people and empowers them to walk in the fullness of God. 

Being able to give a word of wisdom can encourage, uplift and guide.

Psalm 37:30

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.

Proverbs 24:6

For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Word Of Knowledge

As a word of wisdom edifies and guides, a word of knowledge instructs, teaches, and sheds light on hidden darkness.

This gift is not the same as a word of wisdom although they go hand in hand.

Wisdom guides from insight and experience to deepen understanding.

knowledge is a collection of facts and information. Wisdom gives a person the power to use the tool of knowledge.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 18:15

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

Being able to impart knowledge allows you to speak into a person’s life the things that are relevant to them for that very moment. 

We need to pray for this more.

Faith

Is there much to say about faith? Many might ask “how is faith a gift?”

It is simple. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)

Having faith is something many of us struggle with. At times we are on the highest mountain and other times we are low to the ground. The truth is, faith is not easy to maintain.

Jesus said we can move mountains with faith.

David’s faith in the power of God is what gave him the confidence to take down Goliath.

Faith is a gift. when the church uses it, it gives believers the power to bring the unseen into reality.

Faith tears down spiritual walls.

Gifts Of Healing

When you hear “gifts of healing” I’m sure what comes to mind first is physical healing. This is not the only thing in our lives that needs healing. 

We need more than physical healing. 

Many need mental, emotional, trauma healing and most of all…spiritual healing.

This gift allows you to minister God’s healing power into broken lives that need restoration.

Jeremiah 33:6

Behold, I will bring health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Prophecy

Unfortunately, many have abused the gift of prophecy. There have been people over the years who have told untrue prophecies that have led many away. This is why we must have discernment (coming up).

The truth is, every prophetic word that is spoken in this day must align itself with scripture. If it does not, reject it.

2 Peter 1:21

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The gift of prophecy used today points all things to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Revelation 19:10

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Miracles

The gift of miracles allows Christians to serve in the commandments of Jesus in Matthew 10:8.

Matthew 10:8

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

Take the apostle Paul for example:

Acts 19:11-12

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

God is still doing these things to this day. Faith allows us to tap into this world of miracles through the power of God.

Discerning Spirits

Earlier we spoke about prophecy and the importance of recognizing a true prophecy. Discernment is the gift of the holy spirit that the church needs to pray for most.

Jesus warned us that many false prophets would come into the world. 

Matthew 24:11

And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.

The gift of discernment allows us to recognize and test the spirits to know what’s of God and what’s from satan. 

If there is any gift on this list to pray for, it’s this one.

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Tongues

Speaking in tongues is the ability to speak to God through a prayer language given by the Holy Spirit.

This prayer language is personal to you and is for your edification. With that said, it is important to understand maturity when speaking in tongues. It is a gift of the spirit that Paul advises us to use with wisdom (1 Corinthians 14).

Acts 2:4

And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Interpretation Of Tongues

This is the ability to understand the spiritual tongues spoken by a person and interpret it into a message that edifies the church.

This gift is important to pray for.

 Many people can speak in tongues but few can interpret the message for building up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:4

A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.

Understanding The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts

Many believe that they can choose their spiritual gifts and they start to pray for what they feel they want. Unfortunately, that’s not how it actually works. It is the Holy Spirit who decides what gifts you receive. 

He is the one who knows what we will thrive in.

1 Corinthians 12:11

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

With that said, what is the purpose of spiritual gifts? Well, I will start with what is not the purpose.

God does not give us His gifts for our selfish gain. He gives all these gifts for the benefit of those around us.

We are to serve and to use our gifts and talents to edify others.

1 Corinthians 14:12

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

As you pray for the gifts of the spirit, ask God for a desire to edify his church.

How To Know What Your Gifts Are 

I’m sure that one of the biggest questions you have is “What are the gifts God has given me?”

Believe it or not, it’s not as hard to discover. Some things I recommend doing to discover your gifts:

• Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you

• Speak with your Pastors about what they see in you

• Ask yourself, where does God use you most?

• Where is your burden?

After, bring it to God in prayer and discuss it with your Pastor for confirmation and guidance.

If you are interested in getting a deeper understanding of God’s purpose for your life, I recommend reading Child of The Most High.

The book goes into detail about God’s plans and purpose for His children.

Conclusion

Well, we sure covered a lot today. I hope that you are walking away with a clear understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Put these gifts into your prayer life and ask God to lead you to the gifts He wants to use you in.

The post The 9 Gifts Of The Holy Spirit. Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Unlocking Scripture .

This is because when Jesus gave his life for us, he didn’t come just for us to say a prayer and accept him. He wanted to transform our lives to make us more like him so we could also bring new believers to God’s kingdom.

Spiritual growth is a journey for all Christians to take on. Our purpose is to build a closer walk with Christ which results in us transforming from glory to glory as we grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit plays a major role in our spiritual growth. He is the one that brings an understanding of the scriptures and helps us apply them in our daily lives. His transforming power allows us to forsake sin, bear spiritual fruit, and take on the righteousness of Christ.

The process of growing spiritually is known as sanctification. In today’s post, I’m going to give you 7 keys to spiritual growth that will help you grow closer to God and live a healthy spiritual life.

If you’re short on time here’s what we’ll be covering:

1. What Is Spiritual Growth?
2. The Importance of Spiritual Growth
3. Spiritual Growth Helps us Make Better Decisions
4. What Are The Stages of Spiritual Growth
5. Characteristics of Spiritual Growth
6. Scriptures on Spiritual Growth
7. Here are 7 Powerful Keys To Spiritual Growth.
8. Putting The 7 Keys Into Practice.

Let’s get to it!

What Is Spiritual Growth?

Spiritual growth is the process of a Christian becoming more like Christ Jesus through sanctification.

When a person accepts Jesus in their heart, immediately, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in that person and begins applying the finished work of Christ to their lives. As the new believer builds a relationship with God, it will result in a new life that glorifies our heavenly father.

This comes from studying the word, being in fellowship with other Christians, being constant in prayer, and loving God.

2 Corinthians 3:18

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Spiritual growth is demonstrated by how much Christ is reflected in our lifestyle. Our behavior and the decisions we make daily to love and obey Jesus. When we are living a godly life, our actions will line up with his word and will demonstrate that we love God.

Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth

Spiritual growth begins in our minds and the way we think. Apart from Christ, we were born sinners by default, and our minds were hostile towards God, thinking only things that didn’t please Him. This is why the Bible teaches us that we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds because our thoughts were of this world and of the flesh.

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

When we allow God to transform our minds, His Spirit begins to act and gives us the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Key takeaway: Spiritual growth is becoming less like the world and more like Jesus Christ.

The Importance of Spiritual Growth

Growing spiritually is important because the Bible teaches that every Christian should seek to grow in their knowledge of Jesus. 2 Peter 3:18.

Spiritual growth is part of God’s plan of sanctification. This is part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our Christian life.

Becoming spiritually mature is the process of parting farther away from the old sinful man and becoming more like Jesus.

As Christ-followers, we are called to draw closer to our heavenly father in deeper fellowship and to stay far away from stagnancy.

This allows us to open ourselves up to the work of God in us. For us to achieve spiritual growth, we have to allow God to do the work in us which can only happen if we draw near to Him.

John 5:17

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

James 4:8

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Spiritual Growth Helps Us Make Better Decisions

If we’re constantly seeking spiritual growth, we will gain many benefits from it.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Let’s look at what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11:

1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

As Paul described; as he grew, he gave up immature ways and was better as a result.

Spiritual growth allows us to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. All things that will help us make better decisions which should give us hope for the future.

What Are The Stages of Spiritual Growth?

Like any process in life, there are stages to spiritual growth.

These are the stages I like the define:

1. Spiritual Infancy
2. Spiritual Childhood
3. Elderhood

Spiritual Infancy

I like to look at spiritual infancy the way we look at newborn babies. This is the stage where we first accept Jesus into our hearts and become a Christian.

During this stage, we don’t know much scripture but we love Jesus and know that we want a relationship with Him.

It’s during this stage that we need the fellowship of other believers to help us grow in God’s word, stand strong in the faith, and break worldly habits.

Spiritual Childhood

In my opinion, once a person starts to bear fruit and lives in truth, they begin entering a spiritual childhood.

This is a stage in a believer’s life where they aren’t fully mature in the word but are living a life set apart for God.

They still need to be discipled by elders but are showing their growth.

Elderhood

This stage of a Christian is where they are equipped to lead others in the Church. The Bible gives a description of key things that are required for a person to be considered an elder.

1 Timothy 3:1-16:

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

Characteristics of Spiritual Growth

With the busyness of life, It gets very easy to forget the simple things that help us grow such as:

• Daily reading of the Bible
• Prayer

Jesus makes a great deal about this in John 15:2

John 15:2

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

it’s either you bear fruit or you don’t, and if you do, He’s going to prune you so that you bear even more.

But, what is the fruit that Jesus is talking about? These are the characteristics of spiritual maturity.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

These are the characteristics of spiritual maturity:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-Control

Bearing Fruit of The Holy Spirit

As Christians, bearing good fruit resembles our relationship with God.

it’s vital to the health of our spirit man to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

For us to be gain these characteristics, we have to apply the following:

• Repent of sin
• Seek God through prayer,
• Learn how to worship Him
• Read the Bible.

Key Takeaway: Bearing the fruit of the spirit shows us if we are spiritually mature, which resembles our relationship with God.

Scriptures On Spiritual Growth

Now that we understand spiritual maturity a little bit more. I want to give you some of my favorite Bible verses on maturity in Christ.

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Hebrews 6:1

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

1 Peter 2:2-3

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Hebrews 5:14

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

How To Grow Spiritually According To The Bible

Now that you understand spiritual maturity, let’s talk about how to achieve it.

We’re going to use the word of God to get you out of any spiritual rut you may be in and get you back on track to walking in the fullness of God.

Here are the 7 keys at a glance:

1. Dedicate time to studying the word of God
2. Spend time in prayer and fasting
3. Be in fellowship with believers
4. Learn to become a servant
5. Learn to worship God for who He is
6. Examine yourself and repent of sin
7. Walk with the Holy Spirit Daily

Dedicate Time To Studying The Bible

The only reason why we may not mature is if we don’t feed our spirit man with the word of God.

Romans 10:17

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Reading your bible must graduate from simple reading to deep studying.

If you find yourself lost, check out our step-by-step guide on how to study the bible for beginners.

Everyone should own a good study Bible.

My personal favorite is the ESV Study Bible. I have been using it for years and haven’t looked back since.

Hebrews 6:1

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

The author of Hebrews makes it clear to us, There comes a time to move on from the basics of milk to solid food.

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

This verse should make us want to study our bibles.

as it says to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For us to do that, we need to scratch beneath the surface.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of devotionals. They’re just not enough.

I would recommend a good study bible or commentary.

Key Takeaway: Devote time to reading your bible and graduate from reading to studying. 

Spend Time In Prayer & Fasting

There’s no avoiding this.

If you want to mature spiritually, you absolutely have to pray and fast. 

I’m not just talking about praying for your food, your day at work, or for great weather to go to the beach.

No, I’m talking about dedicating quality time to pray, fast, and intercede.

Now for our prayers to be effective, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to align us to God’s perfect will.

1 John 5:14

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

We also need to go the extra mile and deny our flesh in fasting so we can pray more effectively.

Key Takeaway: We need to dedicate quality time to prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to align us with God’s will.

Be In Fellowship With Believers

Fellowship and unity are an important aid in our growth. We need to be in a Spirit-filled church.

Unfortunately, many people believe that not going to church and fellowshipping with other Christians is okay. That’s not what the Bible says.

Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Key Takeaway: Being part of a Spirit-filled church is essential to our spiritual health.

Learn To Value Servanthood

if you want to be an effective Christian, you have to learn to become a servant.

This is not anything that the Lord himself did not teach. 

Matthew 20:28

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 23:11

The greatest among you must be a servant.

These are the very words of Jesus Himself. Spiritual growth and maturity are shown when you are willing to serve others above yourself.

This is what love is. To put others’ needs and desires above our own. 

Key Takeaway: Spiritual maturity is evident when you are willing to serve others.

Learn To Worship God For Who He Is

Spiritual maturity also requires an understanding of what the Bible says worship is.

God is worthy to be worshiped just for who He is.

We also can’t forget how much God has provided for us.

Take a minute to reflect on the Lord’s goodness in your life. Would you be here today if it were not for God?

Psalm 86:9-10

All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.

This just reminds us that there is no one like our God.

When we learn to seek God’s face and not just HIs hands, we will then start to understand what it is to mature spiritually.

Key Takeaway: Learning to seek God’s face over His hands is a true sign of spiritual maturity.

Examine Yourself And Repent Of Sin

If there is anything that will paralyze our walk with God, its sin.

Temptation itself is not a sin. Giving into it is.

When we accept Jesus, He gives us a new nature. A holy nature.

The problem is, we still have sin living within us and we wrestle with it daily. We need to recognize this on-going war within ourselves and learn how to overcome temptation.

1 John 1:10

If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Key Takeaway: Examine yourself daily according to the scriptures.

Walk With The Holy Spirit Daily

Reaching spiritual maturity is only guided by the Holy Spirit and can’t be reached apart from a relationship with him.

He is the one who reveals God’s word to us and transforms us.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we become regenerated.

Romans 8:14

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

The more we grow spiritually, the more likely our lives will be full of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We need to build a stronger relationship with the Holy Spirit and ask Him to sanctify us and make us more like Jesus.

We need a sensitive ear to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

He speaks beyond words and we need to be able to hear Him. The way we do that is by:

• Praying
• Seeking Him
• Reading the bible. 

Key Takeaway: Seek to build a stronger relationship with the Holy Spirit

Putting The 7 Keys Into Practice

As we conclude, I want to layout some action items for you.

All of these 7 keys are great for your spiritual maturity but they are nothing without your application.

So here are some final tips to get you started:

• Read your bible daily.
• Spend quality time in prayer
• Worship God during your commute to work
• Start serving in your church even if it’s cleaning the bathroom
• Start building relationships with people in your church

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to grow spiritually, you need to practice these things regularly.

Growing spiritually requires your effort. The best way to do that is by reading your bible and self study books.

I recommend Child Of The Most High .

You will find an eye-opening approach to what it means to be a child of God

Now it’s your turn.

Which of the 7 keys will you be applying first? Let me know in the comments below.

The post 7 Keys To Spiritual Growth To Apply In 2023 appeared first on Unlocking Scripture .