AWAKE THE INNER MAN

By Evang. Taiye Ajayi

Praise God!

Man is a spirit, he has a soul, and he lives in a body. This truth forms the foundation of today's message. Sadly, many people forget this reality. They become consumed with caring for the physical body while neglecting the condition of their soul and spirit.

Your spirit—often called the inner man—is the real you. A person's spirit can be imprisoned while the body appears healthy, active, and successful. Many people walk the streets smiling, yet deep within, their spirit is bound by fear, sin, oppression, or spiritual ignorance.

In His divine wisdom, God gave us prayer and the study of His Word as the primary means of awakening and strengthening our inner man. The body is only a vessel. While people judge by outward appearance, God looks at the heart. Every blessing first exists in the spiritual realm before it is manifested physically. As the Bible says, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven" (John 3:27).

Praying in the Holy Spirit is a spiritual exercise that opens our hearts to God's presence and aligns us with His will. It is our spirit that communes with God. One of the surest ways to awaken your spirit is by spending quality time praying in the Holy Spirit. Every believer needs the help of the Holy Spirit, for Jesus said, "Without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Likewise, the Bible declares, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).

I have seen many destinies imprisoned by the enemy. I have seen gifted people die without fulfilling God's purpose for their lives. It has been said that the richest place on earth is not where crude oil or precious minerals are found, but the cemetery, because countless dreams, inventions, and God-given purposes were buried there. To experience lasting breakthrough in life, you must first experience spiritual breakthrough.

Many frustrations in life come from ignorance of spiritual realities. Some believe education alone is enough to succeed. While education is valuable, it cannot replace God. I see parents investing heavily in the academic success of their children while neglecting their spiritual growth. True success requires God's help. Jesus invites us, saying, "Take My yoke upon you... For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30).

Our world desperately needs revival. Many people are consumed with the pursuit of food, clothing, wealth, and comfort while neglecting eternal matters. Yet the Bible reminds us, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers... against spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12). If individuals, families, communities, and nations are to prosper according to God's purpose, they must seek His help through prayer and obedience.

After graduating from the university, I waited eleven years without securing a job. I felt like my life was wasting away until I became desperate for God. For three months, I devoted about twelve hours each day to prayer and studying the Scriptures. During that season, God opened my spiritual eyes. I saw areas of my life that had been spiritually bound. I saw my destiny, my family, and my God-given potential under attack. I cried out to the God of heaven, and He brought deliverance into my life.

This is not the time to play with your spiritual life. The battle for destiny is real. The Bible says, "From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12). We must become men and women of prayer, faith, and God's Word if we are to overcome life's challenges. The devil never rests in his efforts to hinder God's purpose, but through Christ we have victory.

How to Awaken Your Inner Man

1. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ and receive Him as your Lord and Savior.
2. Grow in God's grace by studying the Bible daily and maintaining a consistent prayer life.
3. Be committed to God's work by serving faithfully in His vineyard and remaining active in Christian fellowship.
4. Flee from sin and pursue a life of holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Father, awaken my inner man. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Break every chain limiting my destiny, open my spiritual eyes, and empower me to fulfill the purpose You created me for. Help me to walk closely with You all the days of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.