#1: Take Heed to Your Spirit

Are you taking heed to your spirit? If you answered, “Well…I hope so,” then chances are you are not taking purposeful steps to watch and care for your spirit.

Malachi 2:16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

Man is soul, body, and spirit. The spirit is that part of your being that is awakened the moment you accept the Lord’s gift of salvation. It is the mechanism that God uses to speak to you. There are things that you can do that will affect and infect your spirit so that it is less receptive to the Lord’s direction. This is why the Bible says that you must “take heed to your spirit.” The condition of your spirit is something that you have to maintain so that communication with God can have free course.

Take a look at your heart, explore your spirit and discover what is there. When you honestly investigate what is in your heart, you might be surprised; pleasantly, or otherwise!

Taking heed to your spirit and fearing the Lord will put you in the position to experience spiritual “healing,” you will receive encouragement to “go forth,” and receive the uncomfortable admonition to “grow-up.”

Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

What areas in your life need to be touched by God’s healing hand?

If you will be honest with yourself and be a little introspective, there are areas in your heart and life that need to be touched by God’s healing hand, areas that need to be changed, and areas that need to be matured. If you give some attention to your Bible, you WILL discover the healing, encouragement, and correction that you need to develop a strong, beautiful spirit that will bring Him glory.

The blessed man delights in the law of the Lord, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:3)

The tree experiences fresh water every day. It is healthy, growing, changing, and bearing fruit. This is your condition if you delight in God’s word. It keeps you fresh, and spiritually healthy. It helps you to take heed to your spirit.

But what if you neglect reading God’s word because there is not enough time? What if life has gotten so big that your God is now insignificant? In the absence of God’s word, you will experience stagnation. Imagine that same tree beside stagnated water. It would be withered, starving for fresh nutrients; it would be stunted in its growth.

Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

Proverbs 1:29-31 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

God is calling you and stretching out His hand to you. Will you choose to listen to Him? Will you take heed to your spirit?

Malachi 2,4
Psalms 1
Proverbs 1
Matthew 1

Have a face to face conversation with your Lord:

Lord, in what ways am I still a child? Do I need to GROW-UP?

Lord, in what ways have I “refused” you or “despised” your correction?

Lord, are there ways my spirit is infected?

Lord, help me to take heed to my spirit.

If you are interested in having a collection of these devotional conversations, consider purchasing the books. They are available from Amazon by clicking here.