Self-Examination: Partnering with the Work of the Holy Spirit

2 Corinthians 13.5 admonishes us to,"examine ourselves as to whether we are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you are disqualified."

There are some goals that you want to accomplish during your lifetime, and I am sure there are some places you want to explore in your lifetime as well.  You have dreams, desires, visions, ambitions, and goals that you are presently putting into motion.

If you want to be honest with yourself, your intentions are to live a comfortable lifestyle and you desire to want for nothing.

Some individuals who are reading this want to have a life of luxury and some do not want to live a life of luxury.  Some just want to make a great impact in society.

The aspirations that are listed above cannot be judged by anyone except for by the Word of God.  In other words, I do not think someone is greedy just because they own a jet, live in a mansion, and drive a Mercedes.  I also do not think someone is lazy if they do not have a lifestyle that is luxurious.

When Jesus said,"What will it profit someone to gain the world than to lose their soul", I think Jesus was saying that it is more important to be spiritually healthy, mentally, and emotionally stable than to accomplish riches and fame.

Society, as a whole, is enamored with fame, prestige, achievement, popularity, and influence, but I've noticed when reflecting on the internal issues that torment people's private and personal lives, there seems to be a festering away from discussing these issues.

Just because your Facebook status raises awareness about depression, domestic abuse, and suicide does not fully eliminate inner struggles.

Disclaimer:  I believe that Jesus fully heals and delivers, and in John Eckhardt's book entitled, Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Manual, John Eckhardt says,"Deliverance is more progressive than instantaneous."

My point is-Jesus can heal whatever internal struggle you battle.  And just because you call on the name of the Lord Jesus to set you free and ask Jesus to "take it away" a few times does not mean that God has not heard you.  It also does not mean your internal struggle is too powerful for God to destroy.

I believe some issues go away instantly and some are destroyed progressively.  Do you realize how many years the Philistines were a thorn in the flesh for the Israelites?  It took Israel a long time for Israel to finally defeat the Philistines and eventually they were no longer a problem for the Israelites.  Do not grow impatient and resentful with God because a prayer has not manifested instantly.

As you identify what your issues are that constantly attack you and you battle against, you must first be willing to co-labor with the Holy Spirit with defeating these demons.  Another reality you must face is that these issues are demons assigned to you by satan.

"Accepting the reality", as I mentioned in the paragraph above, is the process of what I meant in the title, partnering with the work of the Holy Spirit.  If you believe you have the Holy Spirit and you believe the Holy Spirit lives in you, then the Holy Spirit cleansed you through the baptism you once experienced.

Depression is a demon that can be defeated.  Anger is a demon that can be defeated.  Over-eating is a demon that can be defeated.  Perversion is a demon that can be defeated.  Rejection is a demon that can be destroyed.  Addiction is a demon that can be destroyed.  Failure is a demon that can be defeated.  Self-rejection is a demon that can be defeated.  Past is a demon that can be defeated.

Breakthrough is what happens when God comes in as a result of submitting and partnering with God to attack the enemy's plans, attacks, and strategies that come against you.

Please be aware: the demons that are assigned to you have been strategically sent to you and strategically attacks you at different highs and lows of your life.  El Shaddai is the God the Almighty, and He is the God of Breakthrough!  May the God of Breakthrough burst through and destroy your enemies, issues, torment, struggles, and problems in the name of Jesus!

I have battled in many of these areas myself and found myself victorious.  I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of the testimony of Jesus Christ.

EVERYBODY HAS A BATTLE!  NO ONE IS EXEMPT!

So what good is it for me to gain the pleasures of the world while my soul, my emotions, my mental vitality is unhealthy?  What good is it for my soul to be sick, starving, and suffering when I possess material possessions?

Jesus will save your soul from sickness, impurity, and torment.  One cannot fully enjoy the byproducts of success while being spiritually tormented.  In the end, what good are those pleasures if they cannot be engaged, interacted with, and overall, enjoyed?

The reality is this:  God intended for us to enjoy the pleasures that are eternal as we live in harmony with His presence that lives in us.  "God will show you the path of life. In His presence there is fullness of joy and in His right hand are eternal pleasures." (Psalms 16.11)

I humbly suggest that there is a more aggressive hunger for defeating inner struggles than the aggressive hunger for material and worldly success.