Your Spirit
Today's Verse:
And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. ~Malachi 2:15
How would people characterize your spirit? Solomon said in Proverbs 20:27, “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” Our spirit is the attitude by which we approach matters and the disposition by which we look at things. Our spirit attracts people, or it repels them. Our spirit is our motivating force that compels us to do things well, or it is a cantankerous force that leads us to despise what we do. Malachi’s message to the Jews was that they needed to take heed to their spirit. This morning, let us consider three kinds of spirit.
There is a wicked spirit.
God described the spirit of the Jews as being treacherous. Many of them were sinning against their spouses by engaging in unlawful immoral activity. They understood the ramifications of their marriage covenant, but they deliberately broke it through their immorality and had no remorse of the hurt that they had caused their spouses. King Saul was described as having an evil spirit and was grossly obsessed with envy and jealousy against David. A wicked spirit is one that is bitter, envious, jealous, insecure, malicious, hateful, and retaliatory. It seeks to defame, dismantle, and destroy. Be careful of falling into the place where you develop a wicked spirit.
There is a wounded spirit.
A wounded spirit is one that has been hurt. Proverbs 18:14 says, “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” This is a spirit that has encountered discouragement, disappointment, and hurt. A wounded spirit feels like the life has been taken out. It is so overwhelmed that it feels like it cannot go on. It is one that has been hit so hard, it has placed its hands in the air and said, “I give up.” In some cases, a wounded spirit never recovers. In many cases, a wounded spirit has a long road to recovery. Someone with a wounded spirit may lose their enthusiasm and ability to be productive. A wounded spirit can be overcome, but it takes a long time. Be careful of allowing a wounded spirit to take you out of the Lord’s will.
There is a willing spirit.
This is the kind of spirit that the Jews had when Moses called upon them to make their contributions for the construction of the Tabernacle. This kind of spirit is giving over and beyond the call of duty and need. It is sacrificial with a capital “S” and with no restraint. It is a can-do attitude in everything. It is a spirit that is cooperative, caring, compassionate, and committed. It stays with a project until its completion. It keeps giving until the goal or objective is completed. It is infectious and rubs off on other people. A willing spirit is how churches are built and the work of God is advanced. A willing spirit is one that will go way beyond the call of duty. It is the first to respond to a need. It does not come with a set of restrictions, demands, or contingencies. It just says, “I’ll do it.” A willing spirit is what God blesses!
How is your spirit this morning? Is it characterized by meanness or ministry? Is it pouting or pleasing? Is it cantankerous or kind? Is it involved or uninvolved? Is it giving or taking? Is it helpful or hateful?
Take heed to your spirit! Guard it! Protect it! May the comment that is always heard about you is, “That’s the spirit!”
Have an inspiring God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Kings 23-25