YIELDING YOUR UNRULY SPIRIT!

Monday, October 22, 2018

YIELDING YOUR UNRULY SPIRIT!

Luke 22:31-32

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

           Simon Peter had a strong, even fiercely, independent spirit. He was absolutely certain that he was strong enough to remain faithful to Jesus even in the midst of extreme trial. Satan had determined to test that resolve. That Jesus knew of this is proof enough that Satan had requested permission for it.

           The Greek word for “sift” is siniazo which refers to the once common household sieve. Homemakers used sieves to sift lumps from flour and farmers would use sieves to remove husks from grain. The imagery indicates that within Simon Peter was a blend of good and bad.

           Before Peter could be used greatly he would have to have the bad removed from the good. Satan received permission to sort out that unruly spirit. We are like Simon Peter in many ways.

           Our unruly spirit must come under the control of God’s Holy Spirit. Strong and self assured brashness needs to be tamed but not destroyed. It is often a painful process but the result is a strong servant that God can use.

           Do you sense within yourself a strong independent spirit? Do you sometimes even question the authority of God? If so you may be headed for a sifting!

Heb 12:11

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Dear Lord, I do sense a strong, even stubborn spirit in me. Please be gentle as you tame me. Let me yield to you early and avoid discipline. Make me usable. AMEN