Nurturing Your Spirit

The human spirit, much like the body, possesses its own senses capable of connecting with God, discerning spiritual truths and receiving divine guidance. When it experiences what it was originally designed to enjoy—the flow of the Holy Spirit and fellowship with God—it rejoices, leading to a deep, resounding joy that can overflow into the soul's emotions and amplified. This joy is a manifestation of the human spirit in alignment with God's Word and in live contact with the Spirit of God.

Consider this holy flow in Mary's life, as described in Luke 1:46-47 (KJV):

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."

Note the tenses: Her spirit had contacted God, and the revelation of Him as her Savior came upon her. Then her soul magnified the Lord.

Scripture teaches us the importance of maintaining and nourishing the spirit. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:16 (KJV), "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." This connection with God, which brings about spiritual joy and fulfillment, depends heavily on feeding the spirit with the Word of God and remaining in communion with the Holy Spirit by engaging in prayer and spiritual service to God.

Feeding the spirit with the Word of God

Just as the body needs nourishment to function optimally, so does the spirit. The Word of God is described as spiritual food that sustains and strengthens the inner man. Jesus emphasized this truth in Matthew 4:4 (KJV): "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

The scriptures are filled with wisdom and truth that our spirit was created to receive. They serve as both a guide to Jesus Christ and gateways to God. When we engage in the study and meditation of God's Word, the Spirit of God utters His words afresh into our spirit. Through this process, we receive a fresh revelation of Jesus and feed our spirit with God, keeping it vibrant with God's life and sensitive to the things of God.

Praying in the Spirit

Prayer is another vital means of nourishing and exercising the spirit. When we pray, particularly in the Spirit, our human spirit engages with the Holy Spirit in communion with God. Paul encourages believers to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Ephesians 6:18, NIV). This type of prayer empowers our spirit, allowing us to be led by the Holy Spirit and attuned to God's will.

Jude 1:20 further supports this by urging believers to "build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." Through prayer, our spirit stays connected with God and grows stronger in faith, discernment, and spiritual sensitivity.

Serving with your spirit.

Serving God with your spirit, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is also a way to keep our spirit alive and sensitive. When we serve with our spirit in the power of the Spirit, we operate in our God-given spiritual gifts, fulfilling the divine purpose for which we were created.

This is what the apostle Paul meant in Romans 1:9 (KJV): "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers." Many do not understand what it means to serve God with their spirit. Exercise your spirit in fasting and prayer to serve and minister to God like the apostles and teachers in Acts 13:2. It is through ministering to God in this way that one can accurately and effectively serve others in alignment with God's Spirit.

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) says, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." By exercising our spirit in serving God in alignment with the Holy Spirit, we allow our spirit to be continually empowered and refreshed, keeping it sensitive to God's leading and open to the flow of His grace into our lives and to others.

The consequences of not feeding your spirit

Just as the spirit rejoices when nourished, it can also grow numb when neglected. When we deprive our spirit of the Word of God and the flow of the Holy Spirit, it gradually sinks into a state of deadness or numbness, becoming less sensitive to spiritual truths and divine guidance. Paul warns against this in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (KJV): "Quench not the Spirit." By ignoring the needs of our spirit, we stifle its ability to commune with God and experience the joy of His presence.

When the spirit is undernourished, the soul, which depends on the vitality of the spirit, not only suffers but also becomes vulnerable to demonic influence. The joy that comes from a thriving spirit is replaced with restlessness, confusion, and spiritual apathy and demonic possession

Conclusion

The spirit was designed to enjoy communion with God, and when it is nourished through the Word and prayer, it thrives, rejoicing in the presence of God. Scripture reminds us of the importance of feeding our spirit with sound doctrine and remaining connected to the Holy Spirit. By doing so, we maintain a spiritually sensitive and vibrant life, in tune with God's will and purposes.

May we continually feed our spirit, praying in the Holy Spirit, and serving by His power, so that we may enjoy the fullness of life and peace that comes from living in alignment with God.