Here are 3 Things That Will Slow Down Intimacy:
A Discouraged Heart
We must recognize that our great power is from God. See 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (ESV),“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”
If you observe the people that God uses, you will notice that in the natural they may come across as fragile, useless and unworthy. The Holy Spirit works in a different way. He looks for the broken and shy people, the ones that are not liked by others, the hated and slandered ones.
The Holy Spirit is not looking for perfect believers, He’s looking for broken believers that lean on Him unconditionally.
The power in us does not mean that we are without problems. We are like fragile clay jars containing great treasure.
As believers, we must embrace our destiny and the process that comes with it. [tweet this]Each time discouragement comes your way, remember this is the enemy’s trick to disconnect you from your intimacy with the Lord.
Notice, God doesn’t anoint perfect people. [tweet this]To fully understand this principle, we must understand how God works. God works from the inside out, the spirit, soul and body.
This is you. The body is a shell. The soul contains the emotions, will, heart and mind. The core is the spirit in which God has made us. It is the in soul where the conscience dwells. If your conscience isn’t clear, you won’t hear God.
Human beings always surround us. The enemy then uses these people to discourage you. Ultimately, the devil wants to stop the spirit, our deepest place, from overflowing with the rivers of God.
The enemy will target your body, and the second layer which is your soul. And if he can target your mind and heart, the flow of the spirit is quenched. This is the trick of the devil in order to stop the spirit from flowing from you, he will try to attack your soul and body.
Pray, “Give me the grace to stay focused to keep my eyes on Jesus and the grace to overcome attacks to my soul.”
Make it your mission for the spirit of God to flow out of you. Don’t let the enemy win. There will be insensitive people put in your way to discourage you. The enemy will use the person who has the deepest access to your soul; that one person that you look up to in the church, that one pastor you like.
Make this declaration today, “Nothing will discourage me. Devil, you will not overcome me. I am stronger than this.”
Intimacy With The World
Whoever desires to have an intimacy with God must refuse your friendship with the world. (Read James 4:4-5).
When you’re a friend of the world, you do what the world does. God calls us out to be different. See 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (emphasis added), “16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17″Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18″And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.”
The spirit of God inside you is holy. Honour Him with your friendships, with every single thing you do. No matter where you have fallen, let us rise up and run to Him.
Pride
God sets himself against the proud. (Read James 4:6-10). Those that are humble enough, God gives more and more grace. Stand firm and resist the devil. Recognize that you are a sinner. Guard your heart from all self righteousness.
Grieve over your disloyalty and He will help you overcome your struggles. [tweet this] He will honor you for it, and will lift you up and make your life significant. Many of us are hungry but too proud to ask for bread. Empty yourself and become hungry again for righteousness.
The lady who went down in public and washed the feet of Jesus showed humility. She wasn’t concerned with what people thought of her. God is drawn to humble people. [tweet this]
It requires humility to say, “I need you, God. I need your mercy.” Are you willing to say, “What I now know is nothing. I need to know you”?
Let’s run after Him, people of God! He wants us to know Him more than how much we want to know Him. [tweet this]P.S – you can download the Favour Series in your inbox, and find the bonus post with it on: Broken and blessed. See more info here.