[[488215404541395]] [[VictorGbengaAkinrinmade]] THE POWER OF A SOBER SPIRIT (Ancient Landmark)~ Sobriety (Quietness) enables us to be temperate or self controlled. This entails some form of discretion and moderation. This virtue is lacking in many believers today. As the prophet Isaiah said, it is in quietness and confidence that we can draw spiritual strength from the Lord (Isaiah 30:15b). On the contrary the disquieted soul lacks confidence in God and is cast down without hope. The Prophet Isaiah said that the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance forever” (Isaiah 32:17b). In other words being in right standing with God gives rise to a quiet and sober disposition. Notice that we cannot effectively war against the devil our adversary if we are unguarded (1 Peter 5:8). We therefore need to be continually sober , watch and pray if we must overcome the wiles of the enemy. (1 Peter 4:7) Quietness is a vital ingredient for Christian discipline. No wonder, Saint Paul told the Thessalonian Christians to study to be quiet and to do their own business. (1 Thess. 4:11) A believer who has not learnt to be quiet cannot amount to much in God’s scheme of things. Quietness is central to hearing from God on a constant basis. Elijah encountered God in a still small voice which would not have been possible if he did not maintain a quiet spirit. (1 Kings 19:12). Today, the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit is largely lacking in the church. Why is this so ?. This is because the operation of these gifts has to do with the believers’ sensitivity to the Spirit which has a correlation with a quiet spirit. Your ability to exercise moderation in all things will also determine how far you can go with consecration unto God. One of the major areas that demand the believer’s moderation is in the area of our tongue ( Eccl. 5:3). Sometimes, too much talking stems from our inability to conquer gossip and back biting. If you have nothing edifying to say, rather keep quiet and say only things that minister grace unto your hearers (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6). There is wisdom in quietness (Job 13:5). The Bible admonishes us to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath (James 1:19). The essence of this is to enable us avoid unguarded moments which could lead us into sin. Quietness enables us meditate on the word of God and spend time in prayer. Believers need to retreat from time to time to have fellowship with God and obtain direction for things we have planned to achieve in the year. Quietness activates faith to obey God’s word as the Holy Spirit ministers to the heart of the believer, when we study His word and give ourselves to prayer. It is in our quiet moments that we can hear the Holy Spirit convict us of sin; develop the faith to make needed restitutions etc. The breakthrough you need in your life can be dropped into your spirit in that quiet moment. One of the visible signs of a life that is set apart and consecrated unto God is the quiet and a meek spirit. Dearly beloved, there is great wisdom in living a quiet life. Dare to ask God for this grace today as you study His Word and begin to spend time in prayer. This way you will begin to have revelation of divine truths and solutions to knotty problems both for yourself and others. [[VictorGbengaAkinrinmade]] [[488215404541395]]
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 20:45:10 +0000