In my communion time with the Holy Spirit this morning He spoke to me from Proverbs.17:3 which reads these words :In the same way that gold and silver are refined by fire,the Lord purifies your heart by the tests and trials of life.

Now the Holy Spirit firstly pointed out to me how He views our heart actions and decisions looking at the source from which we choose to take action. When we respond in the flesh we have chosen to side with the devil.

This is because we have yielded to the heart of man which according to Jeremiah.17:9 &10 :“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;

Who can know it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heartI test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

Satan is the father of deceit and once we respond to deceit which the human heart loves we become subject to him and are in alliance with his thoughts and intentions which always bring destruction, though they promise you quick elevation and instant gratification for now which are lies. Remember the end of the flesh transaction is absolutely nothing, no profit.

We must be aware, vigilant and conscious of how we respond with our hearts hence the warning of the Lord to guard our hearts with all diligence in Proverbs.4:23 because from it flows our life consequences whether good or bad. The Holy Spirit then reminded me that He came to give us a new heart. That is the heart of Christ to enable us overcome the evil human heart which is subject to satan.

2 Corinthians.5:17 which reads :Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. The Lord has given us a new heart and the old heart has passed away so we must not then resort to the old wineskin/heart for advice, but yield to the new heart which is Christ in us the hope of glory not shame and disgrace.

When we ask the Holy Spirit how to respond rather than just quickly responding from our carnal minds we are able to act on what thus saith the Lord rather than our futile thoughts which bring death.

As Jesus mentioned in John.6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. Words the Holy Spirit speaks to you always bring life because they flow from the Lord who is life and resurrection life.

The Holy Spirit always raises the dead and calls things, that is non-existent things into existence so Jesus’s name is glorified. This is why we need to respond quickly to the voice of the Holy Spirit so we live the life God intended and purposed for us. Choose to refrain from responding according to how your heart feels about situations and submit to the grace the Holy Spirit supplies to you so you bring life everywhere you go.

I am reminded of the times I chose not to respond on matters that were demanding me to burst out in anger and bitterness which would have given satan legal rights to disqualify me from my portion of blessing in that season.

Let me also point out to you clearly that satan comes at the most vital and auspicious time with these provoking situations which seems to provide you the legitimacy to respond in the flesh. You will need to summon strength from within not to respond immediately but to yield to the peace the Holy Spirit makes available to you in that moment.

You need to train your heart not to explode because of circumstances that rile you to anger and find peace in the Holy Spirit and allow Him to respond through you. The Holy Spirit will always be there to help you but you must respond to Him by giving Him your heart and soul to have full control of you in these pressure moments.

My prayer for you this morning is that through these words you will receive the grace to overcome the weakness of your human heart and embrace the heart of the Holy Spirit and respond according to His dictates when you come under pressure to give in to the old dead man you were before.

Let the Holy Spirit come through you victoriously and put to shame the enemy who sought to rob you of this season of profit and benefits because you fell from grace. Let all that Jesus apportioned to you come to you this year and let your life reflect the glory of the Kingdom of Jesus in the manifestation of signs, wonders and miracles that demonstrate that Jesus is with you to the glory of His wonderful name. Amen.