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Building Up Your Spirit Man

A friend of mine asked me once, "what does it mean to pray in the spirit?" I told him that

praying in the Holy Spirit builds up your spirit to make you stronger spiritually but also to cause

you to be better discern God's voice. I also told him of other benefits mentioned in the New

Testament. Then I referred him to two passages of scriptures that specifically mention the

words praying or speaking in the Holy Spirit. The two places in the Bible that directly mention

the words praying or speaking in the Holy Spirit are 1 Corinthians 14:2-4a and Jude 1:20.

Romans 8:26-27 mentions praying in the Holy Spirit as well. i

However, the wording is slightly different than in 1 Corinthians 14

and Jude 1. I think praying the Holy Spirit is one of the most

important and powerful things a Christian can do. Why? Because for

one, we can pray the direct will of God in doing so! Two, praying in

the spirit can build us up mightily in power. As far as the will of God

we read in Romans 8:27, "because He (the Holy Spirit) makes

intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Jude 1:20

says, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy

faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." For those of you who like studying

the Greek text the Greek word here is epoikodomountes, εποικοδομουντες. In the Liddell,

Davis and Scott (LDS) Greek Lexicon, page 675, states the meaning is stronger than merely

build up. Yes, the word means to build up but also means, to come to climax, pile up, and to

become a superstructure. So praying in the Holy Spirit not only are we building our self up, but

we can pile on the Holy Spirit to become a superstructure for God! In 1 Corinthians 14:2-4a we

read almost the same thing as in Jude, "2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to

men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But

he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4He who speaks in

a tongue edifies (oikdomei-οικδομει) himself.” So now we come to this sometimes controversial

issues of speaking in tongues. I will elaborate more on speaking in tongues in a separate

section where i write about the two types of speaking or praying in tongues.

George A. Gates Jr.

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The Greek word for edify here in this passage 1 Corinthians has the same root word as

the passage in Jude for build-up. The only difference in the two passages is that in Jude the

word has the Greek prefix "epo" επο, added to it that serves to intensify the word. Or in

another words the person praying/speaking in tongues builds his or her spirit man up making

them more stronger in the Holy Spirit but also more sensitive to the spirit of God. There is also

a two-fold occurrence in this passage; e.g., edifying yourself into a potential superstructure and

speaking mysteries to God-praying his will.

Praying in the spirit is an extension of the infilling or Baptism of the Holy Spirit written about in

Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall

be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Jesus speaks of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in John 7:37-39, "37 On the last day, that great

day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and

drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of

living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would

receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."The fact

must be also remembered that the Greek word for power used in Acts 1:8 as dunamin,

δυναμιν, or the same word we use in the English language as dynamite. Acts 2:1-11 is the

fulfillment of the promise of outpouring of the Holy Spirit. " When the Day of Pentecost had fully

come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from

heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the

Spirit gave them utterance.5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from

every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and

were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all

amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and

Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and

Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from

Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs we hear them speaking in our own

tongues the wonderful works of God.” This manner of speaking in tongues was in foreign

languages that people from different countries understood. One opinion as to why this

occurred is because these people spoke in different languages because they were being sent

out as Apostolic envoys in different countries as mentioned above. Some theologians believe

these people in the upper room were the 70 that Jesus sent out to cities He was about to visit,

(Luke 10:1.) There is also some historical church documents that speak of these people filled

with the Holy Spirit went to different regions of the earth. ii

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In Romans 8:26-27, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not

know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the

mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of

God." From the above passages we can learn how to build up our spirit man. In doing so we

tune into the Holy Spirit better and can get his mind; e.g., his will. It puts us in a better position

to hear his voice. An important question to ask from Romans 8:26-27 is how should we pray.

We Do Not Know How to Pray For as we Ought.... Bound To

Most of us can think of times where we did not know what to pray about a specific situation.

People ask me quite often, "George please pray for this person or for that situation." Then

sometimes I ask them, "what do you want me to pray?" Often times my response surprises

people but my intention is to cause people to "ask God how and what to pray" for in a specific

issue. When you pray what God says to pray you will get results because we are praying the

will of God, for as we read 1 John 5:14, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if

we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." Another reason he hears us is because we

ask in Jesus name as in John 14:14 we read, "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

Asking in Jesus name is not glibly tagging the words in Jesus name at the end of a prayer.

God is not a cosmic vending machine where we just use the words in Jesus name and the

prayer we might be asking is completely against the divine nature of God. Therefore, asking in

his will and asking in his name are very close to one and the same thing. A prayer in Jesus

name is asking according to the Lord's glory, authority and character (Gesenius Hebrew-

Chaldee Lexicon.) Another key to asking in His will or in His name is, "If you abide in me, and

my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you, (John 15:7.)

The words of Jesus can have difficulty abiding in us unless we put to death and crucify the

flesh and or old man. In James 1:21, "Therefore put away all filthiness and extreme

wickedness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."

Therefore, we also have to have humble and meek souls to have answered prayers as God

intends. God resists the proud therefore we must stay humble, (James 4:6.) iii There are

several scripture passages that deal with the body and soul of mankind and what the New

Testament calls the flesh or old man. The Apostle Paul teaches in several of his writings about

the flesh or old man. Some passages that deal with the flesh or old man include Galatians

5:24, Romans 6:6, 8:13-14, and Colossians 3:5. Romans 6:6 and Galatians 5:24 tell us that

the old man or flesh have been crucified with Christ. iv That does not mean the old man or flesh

have been removed and are no longer present within our being. Once we get saved we all

know there is a warfare within our bodies between the born again spirit man and the sinful, old

man/flesh, (1 Peter 2:11.) v By walking in the spirit we put to death the deeds of the flesh,

(Romans 8:13-14.) vi

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If we allow the flesh or old man to dominate our lives, then the Godly side of us can

suffer. God wants us cleaned up and sanctified as is written in 1 Thessalonians 5:23. vii

Praying in the Holy Spirit builds our spirit man to assist us in not walking in the flesh or old

man. I could tell you of countless testimonies of people who will say that when they prayed in

the Holy Spirit that they heard from God much better. A good example I have is one about

someone healed of a bad sinus infection. People were quoting scriptures, rebuking the devil,

you name it and they did all in Jesus name. Yet nothing happened.... yet. One day a group of

people prayed again. As they prayed the Lord spoke and said, "check the drain tray

underneath the refrigerator." When someone pulled the tray out they found green and black

mold with contaminated gooey water. This was what was making this woman sick. Therefore

we can conclude her sinus problem was not a direct demonic attack or some sin in this

woman's life. These people praying in the spirit received the mind of God in matter and

gleaned a perfect result. The infirmity we can have at times is simply that in all matters we do

not always know the right way to pray. Praying in the Holy Spirit can give us the answer. The

Greek word for ought or should has a stronger meaning then what is implied in English. The

word is spelled in English is dei, δει in Greek. According to LDS (Liddell, Davis & Scott) LDS

Lexicon dei means "to bind, binding on one to do a thing, one must, one ought." Bound to pray

like "dei" is a good thing. Therefore, there is a difference in saying, "I should or ought to pray a

certain way, but really I am bound (Dei) to pray a specific way. This type of praying raises

praying to the level of "the fervent prayer." What also is revealed to me now is that bound to

pray is related to the passage that says, those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their

strength as the eagles," Isaiah 40:31.)The Hebrew word for wait in this passage is not the best

translation. The word wait would be better rendered "to bind to like a rope wrapped tightly

around a tree," (Gesenius Hebrew Lexicon.) Therefore, we should bind ourselves to the Lord

as close as we can. When we follow after God in this manner and pray in the Holy Spirit we

can pray bulls-eye accurate prayers. Since as Christians we are "no longer our own" we need

to consider that with this type of prayer as very important.... something we are bound to do!

Although this type of prayer is uttered in groanings too deep for words, there are times we can

still hear the Holy Spirit speak into our spirit in English what was too deep to speak audibly.

You could say praying in such a fashion is like hitting the bulls-eye on a target. When I was on

a missionary trip once to Costa Rica I was walking with a group of pastors on a dirt road in a

city called Pocora. As we were walking I felt a deep groaning or grieving inside of me. Some

people might call this a gut feeling. In this case it was a very negative gut feeling to the point I

knew something was really wrong about something. I began to ask God in a silent prayer as to

what the groaning was about. The Lord speaks to my heart and says these words exactly,

"there are witches in this town." The pastor of the church I was speaking at confirmed to me

there was a presence of an entire family of witches who were into voodoo and other things

associated with evil spirits. In this case the groaning was something I sensed but was too deep

for words.... until I asked the Lord about the source. I always encourage people that whenever

they experience this feeling of groaning or grieving inside to ask God why this happens.

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Things the Holy Spirit Reveals

In 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 the Apostle Paul makes some very good points, italicized, about

the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives "But as it is written, "eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor

have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love

Him." 10But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things,

yes, the deep things of God. 11For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the

man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12Now

we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might

know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13These things we also speak, not in

words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual

things with spiritual. 14But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for

they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually

discerned.15But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16For ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of

Christ."

As I said previously praying in the Holy Spirit has lots of very good benefits. I was talking to a

minister friend of mine the other day and we were discussing the mind of Christ. The result of

our conversation is that positionally we have the mind of Christ but many Christians do not

experience the mind of Christ in their walk with the Lord. There are people in the church do not

know how to recognize God's voice. Jesus is speaking to His people and His people hear Him

as is written in John 10:27. viii The verb tense in the Greek language for hear is present

indicative active which denotes a continual process. Therefore, we need to spend daily time

with the Lord. I know of people who teach that we should put the Lord as the first in our lives

when we wake up in the morning by spending time in prayer and fellowship with him. However,

we need to learn to walk with God throughout our day for as it is written, " For in him we live

and move and have our being, (Acts 17:28.) In this regard we can live in the Spirit, Galatians

5:25.)The problem is at times we can't discern His voice from all the other clutter that

bombards our brains. That is why we need to get alone with God and spend time with him so

we can learn to discern His voice when he speaks. However, we have to keep our minds

renewed continually so that we can hear the mind of Christ. Also, in Acts 2:17-18 we can read

about dreams and visions coming after the Spirit was poured out. ix

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How to Build Yourself Up in the Spirit

In 1 Corinthians 14:4a we read about edifying (building) yourself 4He who speaks in a

tongue edifies himself.” We can also read in 1 Corinthians 14:14 the following words, " For if I

pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful." If you want to build

yourself up the way Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says to then you to learn to

speak in tongues.

We read earlier in Acts 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak

with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." When the Holy Spirit attempts to move

you to speak in tongues you will feel an unction or slight pressure inside of you in the middle of

your chest. The result will be the Holy Spirit attempting to loosen up your tongue and speak

whatever utters out of your heart and through your lips. What you speak will sound like a

foreign language that you have never heard before.... and most likely you haven't. Once you

pray-speak in tongues you can repeat the habit whenever you want to by the Holy Spirit still

giving you the utterance for Paul states in Ephesians 6:18, "By all prayer and supplication

praying at all times in the spirit; and in the same watching with all instance and supplication for

all the saints." As you continue to speak in tongues you will fulfill 1 Corinthians 14:2-4a, Jude

1:20, and Romans 8:26-27. Praying in the Holy Spirit has another return on investment. In Acts

5:32 we read, "God give His Holy Spirit to those who obey Him." In this case we also reap

what we sow, when we sow to the Spirit we reap of the Spirit. As we build up in the Holy Spirit

and obey, we can fulfill the fruit of the Holy Spirit as is written in Galatians 5:22-25, " 22 But the

fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have

crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the

Spirit.

Three Types of Speaking on Tongues

People can get confused about speaking in tongues. Paul teaches that there are two types of

speaking in tongues. However, I believe there is three ways to speak in tongues if we include

Acts 2:1-11.

1) There is the speaking in tongues; e.g., foreign language enabling the one being sent by the

Lord to speak a language they do not know to a foreign country, (Acts 2:1-11.) This is still in

operation today as will read below but also has an overlap with #2. I know at least two

incidents where someone spoke in tongues out loud in church. Case #1 a very young girl

spoke out loud in a church service in a language she had no idea what it meant.

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However, there was an unsaved man in the meeting who was from an Indian tribe such

as Comanche or Apache. The tongue was in this man's native American language.

The message was from the Lord and was directed to this man about his unsaved state and

need for salvation. He got saved. Case #2 a friend of mine was in China and spoke in the

Chinese dialect of that particular region in China. My friend did not know a word of Chinese.

The people who heard the message confirmed it was a message precisely in their language as

a message from God. An interpretation was giving in both cases.

2) There is a type of speaking in tongues that is a message to the church. This is speaking in

tongues with the interpretation out loud to a group of people. However, in 1 Corinthians 14:1-

33 Paul writes in-depth instructions to avoid confusion of the issues of speaking and praying in

tongues. I have quoted then entire passage so you can understand this issue about tongues.

"6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I

speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things

without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in

the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an

uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue

words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into

the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is

without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a

foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you,

since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek

to excel.13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray

in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then?

I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit,

and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he

who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does

not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not

edified.18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would

rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten

thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in

malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. 21 In the law it is written; “With men of other

tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”

says the Lord. 22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers;

but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole

church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who

are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all

prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is

convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his

face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. 26 How is it then, brethren?

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Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue,

has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone

speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to

God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed

to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And

the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion

but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."

In 1 Corinthians 12:10c we read the following about speaking in tongues aloud to a group of

people, "to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues." We can

read the full list of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in verses 4-11. However, these gifts only operate

as God wills, verse 11c. x Therefore, speaking in tongues aloud is not a gift for everyone for we

can read this in verse 30, " Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all

interpret?" The answer is "no." However, praying/speaking in tongues is something all

believers have access to. This is explained next.

3) The speaking/praying in tongues to yourself and to God is the focus of this article. The

praying in tongues to yourself and unto God is mentioned in 14:28. Paul makes a distinction to

the tongues issues as follows. One of tongues is to unbelievers, verse 22. Tongues along with

the interpretation is equal to prophesying which can also be towards the church, verse 22. 1

Corinthians 14:4 to edify yourself and to speak mysteries to God as well as Jude 1:20. The

difference that speaking or praying in tongues can be done at any time and is available to all

believers, Jude 1:20 and in Ephesians 6:10-20 praying the Holy Spirit, verse 18, is part of the

full armor of God. xi

In 1 Corinthians 14:10 there are things God has revealed to us. However, some people in the

church as not hearing or seeing what God is revealing. Paul prayed in Ephesians many things

God intends for us to see, (Ephesians 1:15-19.) xii The church does not automatically see or

hear these things. Paul had to pray the church at Ephesus could see this. The church at Rome

was instructed by Paul to, "1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you

present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable

service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your

mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God," (Romans

12:1-2.) One of the keys to receiving the things of God is to keep our minds renewed by

reading God's Word and imparting the Word inside of us. We must learn to be doers of the

Word as is written in James 1:22. xiii Speaking-praying in tongues edifies and builds up our

spirit man. The result should be that we can discern the Lord's correspondence to us in the

form him speaking directly to our spirits but He can also give us revelations in the form of

dreams and visions.

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Choose to Obey

Once we find the will of God then we have a choice, a choice as to whether we obey

God or not. I will use myself as an example. When I lived in Grapevine, Texas my consulting

business stopped bringing in money and companies were cancelling or denying lucrative

contracts. I knew I was one of the best in the consulting business who did what I did. However,

my business was drying up. I went from having a lot of money to almost nothing. However, in

the process of all of this several people in Costa Rica including at least two pastors told me if I

would return to Costa Rica as a missionary then they would provide me with a free place to live

and free transportation. I had an unused ticket to Costa Rica I had been hanging on to for a

while. When I was in Costa Rica previously there were many salvations and people blessed by

the ministry the Lord had me do. So one day I knew I had to get the mind of God on this matter

of my finances. I went prayer walking one day around Grapevine Lake and I was really

whooping it up praying in the Holy Spirit, but also asking God in my mind what He wanted me

to do. Then I kept hearing, and hearing more than once, "go to Costa Rica." Hoping this wasn't

God speaking to me I began to tune this out. But then I kept praying in the Holy Spirit and I

kept hearing, "go to Costa Rica." I even called the leader of a prayer group I was part of and

asked the leaders to pray, hoping God would turn my business around so I could stay in Texas

in my modern, comfortable condo with a swimming pool close by. When I went to the next

prayer meeting one of the leaders told me, "you already know what God wants you to do, I am

going to confirm your calling, now go to Costa Rica." As soon as she said this a friend of mine

walked up to me and asked me in a tough tone of voice (he was ex-military,) "Are you going to

go or not!" He was not smiling at all when he asked me. Almost in a fearful answer to him I

said "yes I will go." Then he smiles and pulls five one hundred dollar bills out of his shirt pocket

and says to me, "God told me to give you this a few hours ago, but I did not know about this

Costa Rica issue." Then another friend of mine walked up to me at the same prayer meeting

and says to me something like, "This is amazing, God told me to write you a check for $500.00

before I left home." Some Christians are not victorious or happy because they are not walking

in their callings, giftings and walking in love. When we seek after God and have his spirit and

presence manifested in our lives then the Lord can use us to help other people. Jesus said

these words about himself, "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who send me and to

finish his work, (John 4:34.) To relate this passage to us our food should be to do the will of

him who has saved us. As we walk in God's ways God blesses us in many ways. In Psalms

19:8 we read, "The ways of the Lord are great enlightening the heart. The statutes of the Lord

are right, rejoicing the heart, the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

Jesus comments on doing the will of the Father, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me;

for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy

and my burden is light," (Matthew 11:29.)

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God's commandments are not burdensome for we also read in 1 John 5:3, "For this is

the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and His commandments are not

burdensome." As I conclude this article I can of at least 12 issues I will list about the results

and why we should build ourselves up in the Holy Spirit by praying and speaking in tongues.

1. We get edified

2. We pray the perfect will of God

3. Builds our faith

4. Reveals the secrets of God

5. Enables us to resist the flesh or old man and walk in the fruits of the Spirit

6. Enables us to discern the deep things of God

7. We can also sing in the spirit

8. Opens up the realm of dreams and visions

9. Opens up the prophesy realm

10. God gives us even more of His Holy Spirit

11. Refreshment from living waters

12. We obtain increased discernment and learn His voice.

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Conclusion

Let us be as those who seek the Lord diligently, and build ourselves up in the Holy Spirit

as we continually dwell in his presence. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him,

(Hebrews 11:6,) and also obeying the Lord is not burdensome. Building ourselves in the Lord

can enter us into the supernatural presence of God. By doing so we can receive deep

revelation from the Lord, pray the perfect of his will, and learn to hear his voice better. As we

obey the Lord we can enjoy the fruits of the Holy Spirit as explained in Galatians chapter five.

Last, we can enjoy an everlasting refreshing presence of His Spirit as we read in John 7:37-39.

References and End Notes

i Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. ii https://oca.org/saints/lives/2001/01/04/100017-synaxis-of-the-seventy-apostles iii But He gives more grace, therefore He says; “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the

humble.”

iv Romans 6:6, "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin." Galatians 5:24, "And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." v Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul." vi Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you

live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the

body, you will live."

vii "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul

and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

viii My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. ix 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all

flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your

old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour

out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

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x There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the

same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given

the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same

Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to

another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to

another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the

same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

xi Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. 19 And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. xii Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our

Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in

the knowledge of Him. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know

what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the

working of His mighty power.

xiii Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.