CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…" Romans 8:29

This verse highlights God's ultimate purpose for believers to transform them into the likeness of Jesus Christ. The term "conformed to the image of his Son" means that believers are being shaped and molded to reflect the character, nature, and righteousness of Jesus Christ. It’s a process of sanctification, by which a person is set apart for God’s purposes; they grow more like Jesus in their thoughts, deeds, and attitudes as they follow Christ. Sanctification includes separation from sin, consecration by setting oneself apart for God’s purposes and services, transformation into Christ-likeness, and progressive and continual spiritual growth and maturity. [1 Thess. 4:3-4; Heb. 10:10; 1 Peter 3:15]

It also suggests that Jesus is the model for all Christians, and by this transformation, believers are brought into a closer relationship with Christ, sharing in His glory and becoming part of God's family. 

Meaning of "Being Conformed"

The term "being conformed" comes from the Greek word "syschematizo", which means to be shaped or molded according to a particular pattern or standard. In Romans 8:29, "being conformed" refers to the ongoing transformation in a believer's life, where their thoughts, actions, and character are molded to match the example and nature of Jesus Christ. This is not just about outward behavior but about a deeper, internal change where a person’s heart, mind, and desires begin to reflect more of Christ’s nature.

The idea of being conformed involves a continuous process over time; it's not something that happens all at once but is an ongoing work that God does throughout the life of a believer. It’s the Holy Spirit’s role to use the word of God to shape the believer to become more like Jesus, who is the ultimate pattern or model we need to become like.

Meaning of "Image of Christ"

The "image of Christ" refers to the likeness or representation of Jesus Christ’s character, nature, and attributes. In the Bible, the word "image" often implies the moral and spiritual resemblance to something or someone, in this case, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Image of Christ includes…

His character: Jesus’ humility, love, compassion, kindness, and grace.

His righteousness and holiness: The perfect obedience to God, walking in right standing with God, and purity that Jesus lived out.

His attitude and thinking: The mind of Christ, characterized by servitude, sacrifice, and a focus on God’s will rather than personal gain.

Being conformed to the image of Christ means that believers are being shaped to reflect becoming like Christ in their lives. It means that, over time, a believer’s attitudes, actions, and choices should resemble Christ more and more, in an ever-increasing splendor. This involves growing in Christlike qualities or character, such as love, humility, forgiveness, and patience, and living in a way that brings honor to God.

Being conformed refers to the process of being shaped or molded into the standard of Christ. The image of Christ refers to the perfect character and nature of Jesus, and the process of being conformed to His image means growing more like Him in every aspect of life.

The process of being conformed to the image of Christ

The way of being conformed to the image of Christ, also known as sanctification, is a lifelong journey of spiritual transformation. It involves the Holy Spirit working within a believer's life to make them more like Jesus in their character, actions, and desires. This transformation is both a positional reality (through faith in Christ) and a practical process (through daily growth in holiness); as we behold Christ in the mirror of the word of God, we are being transformed into His image [2 Cor. 3:18]

Here's how this process typically unfolds:

1. Justification (“Being made just” Position in Christ)

“Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us” Rom. 5:1 TPT  

The process begins with justification, where a believer is declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ. This is not based on anything a person does but on Christ's finished work on the cross, having accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Justification makes a believer united with Christ, and the transformation process begins.

2. The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in sanctification. When a person is saved, the Spirit comes to live within them and empowers them to live Christ-like lives. The Spirit helps convict believers of sin, guides them in the truth, and produces Christ-like fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Holy Spirit also enables believers to put to death the deeds of the flesh and live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:13).

3. Renewing the Mind

Believers are instructed to… "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

Transformation of the mind is key to being conformed to Christ.  This involves changing how we think, see the world, and understand and be a doer of God’s will. It’s a shift from a worldly mindset to a spiritual one that reflects Christ's values, priorities, and attitudes. It is our reasonable service!

Regular immersion in God’s Word [Reading, studying, meditating upon, and becoming a doer of the Word of God], is essential in this process. The Bible teaches, corrects, and shapes a believer’s understanding, helping them to live according to God's will, way, and word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

4. Obedience to God's Commands

As believers grow in Christ, they are called to obey God’s Word. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Obedience is a natural outflow of the love and transformation that God works in our hearts. The more we align our lives with Christ’s example of doing the will of the Father, the more we become like Him.

Obedience, though not perfect, reflects a desire to honor God and imitate Christ in everything from love and humility to patience and kindness.

5. Suffering and Trials

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Rom. 8:18  

Being conformed to the image of Christ often involves suffering and trials. Romans 8:18, as quoted above, speaks of sharing in Christ’s sufferings to also share in His glory. These difficulties refine faith and help believers to grow in Christlikeness by teaching them to rely on God, persevere, and trust Him in all circumstances. [2 Cor. 4:17-18; Heb. 11:25-26; 1 Pet. 1:6-7]

Jesus' life included suffering, and Christians are called to follow Him in this, growing in humility, compassion, and dependence on God.

6. Developing Christlike Character

As believers submit to God’s process, they begin to reflect more of Jesus’ character. This includes virtues like…

Love (John 13:34-35)

Humility (Philippians 2:5-8)

Patience (Ephesians 4:2)

Forgiveness (Colossians 3:13)

Purity (1 Peter 1:15-16)

Joy and Peace (Romans 15:13)

The goal is to increasingly resemble the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23), where love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are evident in our daily lives

6. Fellowship with Other Believers

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another…” Heb. 10:25 

The Church community is essential in the process of sanctification. Believers encourage one another, hold each other accountable, and encourage each other on in their faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). Relationships with other Christians provide opportunities to serve, learn, and grow in Christlikeness together. Iron sharpens iron and deep call unto deep.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” Act. 2:42 

8. Glorification (The Final Stage)

“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified” Rom. 8:30 

The ultimate goal of being conformed to the image of Christ is glorification. This will happen when Christ returns, and believers will be made fully like Him, perfected and free from sin, living forever in His presence. We shall be caught away to live with Christ in eternal paradise.

"…who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:21

The process of being conformed to Christ

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Cor. 3:18 [See also Col. 3:10]

The process of being conformed to the image of Christ involves the work of the Holy Spirit, the renewal of the mind, obedience to God's Word, enduring trials, and growing in Christlike character. These all lead to eventual glorification, when believers will be made perfect like Christ. It’s a continual, ongoing process that will be fully realized only when believers are with Christ in eternity.

Blessings of conforming to the image of Christ

Conforming to the image of Christ brings many blessings to a believer's life, both spiritually and practically. Here are some of the key blessings:

Spiritual Transformation: Conforming to Christ's image means growing in holiness and becoming more like Him. This transformation leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more Christ-like character, which includes qualities such as love, humility, patience, kindness, and peace.

Increased Inner Peace: As you align your life with Christ’s teachings and example, you experience a sense of peace that surpasses understanding. This peace comes from knowing that you are walking in alignment with God's will.

Purpose and Fulfillment: By reflecting Christ’s character, you are more attuned to God’s purposes for your life. This alignment brings fulfillment and a clear sense of purpose, knowing that your actions reflect His will for you.

Eternal Rewards: The Bible teaches that those who are conformed to the image of Christ will receive eternal rewards. Living a life that reflects Christ's love and obedience leads to treasures in heaven.

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The process of conforming to Christ is made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit equips you with strength, guidance, and wisdom to follow Jesus’ example and resist temptation.

Greater Compassion for Others: As you grow in Christlikeness, you develop a greater love and compassion for others. You are moved to serve, care, and share the love of God with those around you, reflecting Christ's heart for the world.

Freedom from Sin: Christ’s image is one of perfect obedience and purity, and as you grow in that image, you experience freedom from the power of sin. The more you become like Him, the more you are set free from destructive patterns and behaviors.

Unity in the Body of Christ: Conforming to the image of Christ promotes unity among believers. As each person seeks to reflect His character, it builds a strong and harmonious community within the Church.

Joy in Suffering: In Christ, suffering is not in vain. Being conformed to His image helps you endure hardships with a perspective of hope, knowing that trials are part of God's refining process to make you more like Christ.

These blessings all point to a deeper, more meaningful walk with God and ultimately a life that reflects Christ’s love, grace, and truth in the world.

 

 

BREAKING THE YOKE OF DELAY

Delay means to postpone, slow down, detain, linger or late. There is marital delay, financial delay, physical delay, spiritual delay, material delay or academic delay. Causes of delay include sin [Isa 59:1-2, Jer. 5:25], your foundation. [Gen. 6:25-27], curses [Gen. 49:1-4], wrong association. [Gen 13:8-12], wrong positioning. [Gen 12], various evil powers that can be ancestral or even the powers in the house you live in. There are withholding powers and they play a major role in the rising and falling of families, individuals, organizations, nations etc. They are crucial to the fulfillment or frustration of our divine mandate.

Scriptures: Genesis 28:1-5; Genesis 28:1-4; 11-19; 31:38-42; Psalm 105:17-22; I Cor. 15:8-10; Isaiah 60:1 

There are good things in life, but those good things could be delayed or withheld. There are powers that specialize in holding back good things which are actually available. The spirit of delay hinders people from entering their destiny at the appropriate or set time despite much efforts and labor.

Those who suffer from this spirit spend a much longer time to get what others get easily and quickly. They work so hard before they can get anything. By the time they eventually get it, all the joy of such achievement would have gone. They pay unusual price in getting anything done and they are always last on the line of blessing. The last to get admission, the last to pass examination, the last to get married, the last to have children.

But you can only correct what you are willing to confront. Victory is never accomplished without conflict.

Delay is not a good thing. It brings shame, late achievements, and sometimes non-achievement. It leads to wasted resources, efforts, and even a wasted life. Believers must break free from obstacles that prevent progress. “God will destroy yokes and take burdens off shoulders and necks” [Isa. 10:27] to free us from delay. God’s will is for us is to progress and rise higher, as the Scripture says, “The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children” (Psalm 115:14).

From the beginning, when God blessed humanity, He commanded them to be fruitful and multiply [Gen. 1:28]. This clearly shows that God is not the author of delay. The spirit of delay seeks to stop people from being fruitful, multiply, and fulfilling their destinies. We can categorically say an enemy has done this, in order to weary us from persevering until our goal is achieved, if we are facing spiritual delay.

Delay is when you are hindered or stopped from doing, having, knowing, or becoming what was originally intended. It is an obstacle designed to slow down or derail destinies. Delay is a satanic tactic aimed at causing frustration, stagnation, and missed opportunities. There are different types of delay, for example as seen with Zechariah and Elizabeth, Elkanah and Hannah. It could be divine delay, personal delay, inherited delay, programmed delay and satanic delay.

Breaking the yoke of delay requires recognizing the source of delay, identifying spiritual forces that may be hindering progress or causing delay and acknowledging personal weaknesses, fears, or doubts that may be contributing to delay.

“For we wanted to come to you … but Satan blocked our way” 1 Thess. 2:18 (NIV)

We must seek God's intervention through prayer and intercession, asking for breakthrough and acceleration. We must trust in and have confidence in God's sovereignty, goodness, and timing, even when faced with uncertainty or delay.

Some of the ways to break delay include using the name of Jesus [Acts 2:21], prayer and fasting [Matthew 21:17], anointing of the Holy Spirit. [Isaiah 10:27], praise warfare [Acts 16:25-26] and the ministry of prophet [Hosea 12:13]

Believers must exhibit persistent effort by continuing to take intentional steps towards goals and objectives, despite obstacles or setbacks and have strategic planning by re-evaluating and adjusting plans, seeking wisdom and guidance from God and others. We must embrace divine acceleration, which can bring sudden breakthroughs and rapid progress, and recognize and cooperate with the supernatural momentum that God can bring to our endeavors.

However, we must understand that delay does not necessarily mean denial sometimes; God may be using the delay to refine, prepare, or redirect. Breaking the yoke of delay often requires perseverance, persistence, and determination. We must also trust that God's timing is perfect, even when faced with delay or uncertainty. We must be inspired to break the yoke of delay, trusting in God's sovereignty, goodness, and timing, and persevering towards our goals and objectives.

Many times, we suffer delays in our lives due to satanic manipulations. When Daniel fasted and prayed for twenty-one days, the Lord had answered him from first day. Ungodly delay is a form of denial of God’s blessings. Is there an area of your life where you are experiencing stagnation or delay? Daniel got his answer eventually because he persisted in the place of prayers. When you check your life and you find out that the spirit of delay is in control, then you need to resist it. You must embark on aggressive fiery delay destroying prayers against the spirit of delay with holy aggression.

UNDERSTANDING THE YOKE OF DELAY

Proverbs 13:12 says “Hope deferred make the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” Delay is to defer, detain, linger, to pause hinder, and +to cause something to occur more slowly than normal. There are good things in life, but those good things could be delayed or withheld. There are powers that specialize in holding back good things which are actually available. The spirit of delay hinders people from entering their destiny at the appropriate or set time despite much efforts and labor. Delay is a spirit, and it’s one of the favorite tools of the devil and his agents used against the children of God. It is use to delay, distract, discourage, and destroy many people lives.

The devil is behind many of our delays, but not every delay originates from the devil. Sometimes, some people might be the architect of their delay through disobeying divine instructions, sins, procrastinations, negative thoughts, prayerlessness, negative confessions, one’s foundation or, wrong association; wrong positioning; double minded; a curse; redeeming our vows. Some of these can delay manifestation of our blessings and breakthroughs.

The goal of the devil is to deny or deprive people of what they need to make fulfilling their divine purpose or destiny. But on the other hand, there can be delay from God. He is the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. He can orchestrate any delay in one’s life because He is arranging a better thing for us at the appointed time. The birth of John the Baptist was delayed so that as the fore runner of Christ, he can be born around the same time that Jesus was birthed.

The Bible talks about the vision being for an appointed time. God promised to answer our prayers, but He did not say He will do it according to our own timetable. The timing might seem not right to us, but God has His own divine appointment time awaiting us. Take for example Joseph, it took another two years for Pharaoh to have a dream that needed interpretation, and it was only then that Pharaoh’s cup bearer remembered Joseph. We need to remember that God has scheduled an appointment time for us to connect with our divine helpers and we can’t force it to happen.

The Bible tells us of how a delay can happen when we pray to God. We’re told of how Daniel prayed and his prayer was answered but the Prince of Persia delayed the angel and God now had to send Angel Gabriel to deliver the answer to his prayer (Daniel 10:12-13). The same thing can happen to anyone’s prayers and answers. It was the operation of territorial spirits, forces of delay and frustration, for example, witchcraft manipulation. Also, Apostle Paul revealed how they were hindered by the devil according to 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18. Those who suffer from the spirit of delay, spend much longer time to get what others get easily and quickly.

The anointing of God shall break the yoke of delay. We must remember that time is very important; Time is value; life is time; and destiny is time bound. Jeremiah 30:8 says that “And it shall come to pass in that day, declares the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off your neck….” How do we break delay? We must first and foremost, analyze the history of our family or what we are trying to achieve to detect any pattern of delay; Through the help of the Holy Spirit; righteousness; divine Intervention; prayers and sometimes including fasting; meditating on God’s Word, and having godly fellowship with others, we can breakforth. I pray that the power of God come upon us to set us free from every form of delay and when the yoke of delay is finally broken, then the person afflicted will be set free from the spirit of delay.

STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING DELAY

In Genesis 15:9-18 God makes a covenant with Abram, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky but then God gave Abram time frame that his seed will be in captivity for 400 years.

Here we will be discussing strategies for overcoming delays in achieving goals and moving forward in life, where you will get knowledge about breaking free from procrastination and taking action to avoid delays in progress.

Delay is a real concept that can be experienced in both natural and spiritual dimensions. This means that delays can occur as a result of both physical circumstances and spiritual obstacles. The scripture emphasizes that God has not given us a spirit of fear [2 Tim. 1:7], so we must overcome fear in order to defeat it. Delay and fear are both two-dimensional, with delay being physical and spiritual.

To overcome these obstacles, one does not need to focus on the physical body, but rather on the spiritual realm. The word emphasizes the importance of fearing God over fearing those who can harm the physical body. It highlights the significance of the spirit in defining humanity, implying that without the spirit, a person cannot truly be considered human.

Delay can be seen in two dimensions: the physical delay itself and the spiritual aspect known as the spirit of delay. This spirit cannot be overcome through conventional methods, and instead requires a supernatural approach to be addressed effectively through spiritual warfare.

To overcome delays, one must confront them with a determined attitude. The word emphasizes that if you are only addressing physical delays and ignoring spiritual ones, you will not make progress and your efforts will be ineffective. We must engage weapons of our warfare [2 Cor. 10:4-6; Eph. 6:10-18]

For emphasis sake, delay refers to a period in which no growth or progress is seen except for aging. It is seen as a hindrance to achieving prophecies, visions, dreams, aspirations and advancing in life. Delay does not care about the prophecies spoken over your life, even if they were given by great men of God. Rather delay gets excited when it sees progress and prophecies, and it does not show any respect for them. Note that delaying addressing issues can lead to denial. The phrase “delay is not denial” can be an excuse created by the devil to justify procrastination in believers’ lives. Delaying dealing with an issue will eventually lead to denying its existence and it will inhibit your progress.

Many people struggle with delays impacting their lives significantly. Failure to address this negative trait or issue will result in future generations inheriting it. Genesis 15:13 states that God told Abram that his descendants would be in captivity for 400 years. This text explains that the captivity of the children of Israel was not the work of the devil, but rather a fulfillment of God’s word to Abram. The Israelites stayed in captivity for more than 400 years originally prophesied in Exodus 12:40, ultimately falling out of God’s prophetic calendar.

The scripture discusses how the Israelites faced delays despite God’s promises being true, highlighting the idea that delays can hinder progress regardless of authority. The text discusses the concept of delays in God’s timing, using the example of the Israelites staying in Egypt for more than the 400 years. Delay is not the only factor at play, as it is often accompanied by stagnation and backwardness.

When God speaks to someone about you, delays can prevent them from fulfilling what God had asked them to do in your life. The passage in 1 Kings 19:15-17 shows God speaking to the prophet Elijah, instructing him to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha for specific purposes. The scripture discusses the oversight of Elijah in forgetting to anoint Jehu as king, despite anointing two others. This suggests that Jehu’s situation had moved beyond the natural realm, as it is unusual for a prophet to forget such an important task. Prophet Elijah was taken to heaven with an anointment of king Jehu. Jehu was so frustrated about his destiny that he ended up becoming a soldier, yet God sees him as a king. This tells us that delay does not discriminate based on education or qualifications and can have negative impacts regardless of one’s level of expertise or experience. Delay can diminish the value of a person’s accomplishments or credentials. “Delay will turn your degree into a decoration.”

Delay is so stubborn even if they say education is the key to success, delay will come and change the lock where someone has the key, put the wrong lock and they cannot open the door. Delay is so mean that it can come and deal with the whole community, school, family or even nation. Delay is not merciful!

FAN INTO FLAMES THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD
, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” 2 Tim. 1:6 

Key Scriptures: 1 Cor. 12:4-11; 2 Tim. 1:5-7; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10

God has given us many and several abilities as workers in the vineyard of God and we have the gifts of God in us. However, we must not allow the gifts to lie fallow or dormant in us knowing that the whole world is waiting for the manifestation of these gifts in us. We need to stir up these gifts, which are already in us and make them manifest to bless the body of Christ.

We stir up ours gift by identifying, developing, refining, enhancing or upgrading, and using it.

Many people will be saved, healed, delivered, empowered and taught the Word of God when we stir up our gifts into action and use the gifts to the glory of God. All believers are gifted but many will die without using the gifts to the glory of God. We will find out we have solution to many people needs when we discover and use the gifts. Many believers are actually like dormant volcano that has the capacity to erupt with power and glory only when they stir up the grace gifts in them

What are we suppose to do? We need to discover the gifts and let God use it to bless others. The Word “Stir”, means to disturb, bother, interrupt, agitate, mix it up, shake, inflame, arouse or kindle. Some of us who put out the flame of the spiritual fire in us need to rekindle it by placing it near a hot coal to reignite! We must not neglect the gift that is in us, which was given to us by the Holy Spirit for building up the kingdom of God. [1 Pet. 4:10]. As each one has received a gift, we must minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6, NKJV).

As highlighted in 2 Timothy 1:6, "stirring up the gifts of the Spirit" refers to the idea of actively rekindling and utilizing the spiritual gifts given by God, just like Paul is urging Timothy to do by not letting his spiritual abilities become dormant but instead actively using them to serve others; essentially, "fanning the flame" of his spiritual gifts.

Christians must apply this concept to their own lives by actively seeking to identify and develop their spiritual gifts, using them regularly to serve others and grow in their faith.

Stir up the gift also appears in the King James Version of this verse, but other translations read “fan into flames the gift” (ESV, NIV, NLT), “keep ablaze the gift” (HCSB), and “rekindle the gift” (CSB, NRSV).

Paul knew that Timothy faced an enormous responsibility in leading the church, and he wanted to encourage the young man to stand firm in safeguarding the gospel and spreading the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. Anyone who has ever tended a campfire knows that stirring up the glowing embers of a dying fire can cause those embers to flame up again and burn more brightly. Timothy was to see to it that his spiritual gift did not grow cold through disuse; he was to “stir it up” and keep the fire going.

All believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at salvation. The Holy Spirit bring other gifts with Him, and Timothy had received certain spiritual gifts to enable him to be an effective minister. The gift had come to Timothy through the “laying on” of Paul’s hands that is, the apostle had imparted this gift at the younger man’s ordination, when Timothy was being appointed to the ministry (1 Timothy 4:14).

Paul was keenly interested in the life and ministry of Timothy, and he wanted to make sure that Timothy used the gift he had been given effectively, for the glory of God. It’s not that Paul thought Timothy’s faith was weak or dying out, but that he wanted Timothy to experience the fullness of God’s gift and use it to bless the body of Christ maximally. The gifts we receive from the Lord through the filling of the Holy Spirit are not given to us fully developed but need to be increased, strengthened and matured through use.

Right after he reminds Timothy to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave him, Paul says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7, NLT). The Holy Spirit won’t necessarily transform a shy person into an extrovert, but He will provide the resources the person needs for every situation (Luke 12:11–12; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:26) and boldness like He did for the Apostles when they were harassed by the Pharisees and the Sadducees. God gives us His power when we are weak, His love to deal with those who seem unlovable, and His discipline for the times we lack self-control.

Also, Paul was not suggesting that Timothy keep the Spirit’s flame ablaze by his own human effort. Instead, Paul knew that the Holy Spirit requires our willing cooperation to fill and enable us (Colossians 3:10, 12–15; 2 Peter 1:5–8).

We stir up the gift by using the gift we’ve been given. We stir up the gift through godly discipline, which produces the fruit of God’s nature in our lives: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23). We keep the gift ablaze by not letting our spiritual selves grow cold or, worse, lukewarm, as the church in Laodicea had become (Revelation 3:15–16). We fan the flames of faith by continuing to “keep in step with the Spirit,” following the Holy Spirit’s direction and guidance in every part of our lives (Galatians 5:25). We stir up the gift by not quenching or neglecting the Spirit of God, but allowing Him to thrive in us like a living, blazing fire (1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 4:14).

We must stir up the gifts of God by reading, studying, meditating upon and becoming doers of the Word so that God can speak, lead, correct, teach through us, and that we will speak either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine as inspired by the Holy Spirit. We will be able to stir up and maintain spiritual decorum when we “take heed unto ourselves, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this we shalt both save ourselves, and them that hear us” [1 Tim. 4:16].

We all have a spiritual gift within us, but it may need to be rekindled or fanned into a flame, when we have dwindled in our diligence, become lukewarm or not fervent in the Spirit like before. We must be connected to and dependent on the Holy Spirit who gives us mighty power, love, and self-control, enabling us to live a life that honors God. God does not give us a spirit of fear, but rather a spirit of power, love, and self-control [2 Tim. 1:7]; we must rise in the power of God’s might in us and do the works.

Believers must identify their spiritual gift, reflect on it and understand how they have to use it to serve others and glorify God. We all must take intentional steps to rekindle the flame of your spiritual gift, whether through prayer, study, or service. We must seek to walk in the Spirit, relying on God's power, love, and self-control to guide and empower us.

Believers must meditate upon 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, to discover the spiritual gifts of God upon their lives and emphasize the importance of using these gifts to serve others and glorify God.

In Galatians 5:22-23, we see a description of the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the characteristic traits found in Jesus Christ that must be found in us.

The overwhelming narratives that can flow through our minds, declaring “I’m not good enough”, or “I’m not ready yet”, or “I don’t have the resources or education to do that”, or “others can do it better”, are lies that the enemy loves to trick our minds into believing; so many begin to walk in fear.  The devil doesn’t want us fanning the flame of the gifts God’s given to us, because he doesn’t want us operating in the power and strength of the name of Jesus.  

The underlying theme of fear can creep up in our lives under many different names.  Maybe you’re familiar with some of them.  Intimidation, comparison, anxiety, insecurity, are all rooted in a spirit of fear. Fear torments and imprisons the mind to weaken and immobilize us.  But God would never give us such a spirit.  Our good God gives us a Spirit of Love.  A Spirit of Power.  And a Spirit of a Sound Mind. That is why we must… “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine”[1 Tim. 4:13] because we know that where the word of the king is, there is power [Eccl. 8:4]

We cannot overemphasize the importance of the Word of God empowered by the Holy Spirit in our quest to fan the gifts of God in our lives… “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Tim. 3:16 . Only then can we … “Hold fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” [Titus 1:9].  And of course, … leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God” [Hebrews 6:1]

“But you, my delightfully loved friends, constantly and progressively build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith by praying every moment in the Spirit”  Jude 1:20 TPT

Vitally important, to this business of stirring up the gifts of God in us is to do it standing in faith and this can be accomplished by praying in the Holy Spirit frequently Praying is always accentuated when we engage the weapon of fasting especially when spiritual warfare is involved.

“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee…” 2 Tim. 1:5 

Faith is an essential commodity to stir us up so that we can stand and use the gifts and grace of God appropriately to bless the body of Christ. The more we pray in the Spirit, the more is faith developed in us and we can stand in faith to dispense the gifts according to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

So, today if you can resonate with these crippling effects of fear, let’s choose to stand up against the scheme of the enemy and use the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God to cut down fear, doubt, unbelief, anxiety and worry.  Let’s call it what it is and speak out the truth that what we’re experiencing, thinking or being tormented with, is not of God.  Let us be believers who cling to the Word of God and who depend on the power of Christ’s Spirit in us, declare that we won’t believe the lies of Satan but instead we will choose to stand on truth of God’s word and be fervent in the Spirit.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

 Proverbs 17:8 says, "A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turns, it prospers" (KJV). In other words, a gift is like a precious stone to the one who has it, and whenever he stirs it up, it turns into prosperity.  If you use your gift always when stirred by the Spirit, it will prosper those who you minister unto and it will bring you before great men, hereby prospering you also. It was the gift of interpretation of dreams that brought Joseph before Pharaoh and promoted him as next in command to the king in Egypt.

“A man's gift make room for him, and bring him before great men” Prov. 18:16 

Moreover, we are not to mimic the gifts of others but we are to stir up your own gift. Although we are all born as originals, most of us become imitators of other men’s gift.

Unfortunately, many people are jealous of other people's gifts. Let me encourage you not to waste your time on jealousy nor craving for what others have but not given to you by God. Jealousy is a gift robber. Jealousy is an energy drain. Jealousy will take away the passion of life from you. You should be so busy stirring up your God given gifts that you don't have time to be jealous of anyone else or to feel sorry for yourself.