Four Stages of Spiritual Development:

1. Born-again stage: the new birth, new life - eternal life from above.
   John 1 :l2 - Child of God, God is now the Father of our spirits.
   Phil.2:12-13 - Salvation is not just a destination change, going to heaven instead of going to hell, but a change in lifestyle. We were in union with Satan, but now we are children of God, joint-heirs with Jesus, and we are to act accordingly.
   l John 2:3-6 ; John 14:21 - Daily obedience to His word is the evidence of a new birth, a process of being sanctified.
   To obey is to really hear and to really listen, to see and to understand what I listened to, and to act upon what I heard on the basis of a changed attitude and resultant deeds which gives glory to God.
   1 Cor.3:16 - Obedience builds the temple, doing the word are the bricks of the temple so that God can dwell in it.
   
2. Spiritual stage is knowing the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and being fully empowered to live the christian life.
   Lu.11:13 - Simply ask and receive.
   Lu.24:48-49 - Receive power from on high.
   Acts 1:8 - When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, then you will receive power to be His witnesses, i.e. a salt and light lifestyle.
   1 Cor.6:17 - One spirit with Him, you are a co-worker.
   Rom.5:5 -Love is poured out into our hearts, act by faith upon this truth. Love is ready to flow out as a river of living waters. Faith, hope and love flows from obedience.
   
3. Pathway of the cross stage is a daily exercise of getting down into the death of Christ so that Christ can live out His life through us.
   Rom.6:3-6 - Old nature buried, no longer slaves of sin. As we put-off daily sins, we arise immediately in the newness of life in Christ and respond biblically to all of life's encounters, being a blessing to all we meet.
   Eph.4:22-24 - We must do the doing, putting-off corruptions, renewing ourselves in the spirit of our minds, and putting-on truth in all areas of living. Daily, we have our calvary, our resurrection, and our ascension.
   Lu.9:23-24 - No longer defend or protect self, but practice death to private aims, selfish passions and prejudices, to wordly reputation and honor.
   Phil.2:3-5 - As with Jesus, now I am to seek the interests and betterment of others. I am no longer central but to use self to be a blessing to others.
4. Ascension/overcomer/spiritual warfare stage where the believer realizes and knows he is in union with Christ.
   Eph.1:17-23 - We are seated with Him, "Far above all authority..."
   Lu.10:19 - Given all authority over the power of the enemy.
   Rom.8:29 ; l John 3:8 - God created us to be conformed to the image of His Son, and as such, to do as He did, to destroy the works of the devil.
   Col.2:13-15 - Our problem is not with satan, he has been defeated. The issue is our relationship with God, knowing who and what we are in Christ Jesus, and, therefore, keeping the enemy from having any footholds in my life by being free in the following areas: (See James 4:6-8 )
   
   
   • Genealogy- Gal.3:13-14 -Realize and know that the Blood of Jesus
     has freed me from all generation curses (Exe.18:20).
     Circumstances of life- Matt.16:24-25 ; Col.1:10-11 .No longer react
     to or controlled by the externals of life,by personal attacks,by
     pressures of the world,by trials and tribulations,but respond by
     and according to the promptings and power of the Holy Spirit
     ( James 1:2-4 ).
     
   • Environment- l John 2:15 ; 2 Pet.1:4 -Partaker of the divine life
     and nature,and have escaped from the world's system of
     lusts.The devil has nothing on me,and I am now in the position
     to overcome him in all areas of life,and setting others free,
     in the name of Jesus Christ.
     

The characteristics of an overcomer:

Eph.3:9-10 -Proclaims God's wisdom to the enemy for this is a battle of wisdom.
Phil.1:11 -Do all to the honor and praise of God that His glory may be both manifested and recognized.
Prov.24:10 -Nothing can ever limit or defeat us in Christ, we proceed until victory prevails.
Prov.21:22 -No compromises, we ascend, we assault, and cast down all opposition.
Lu.11-20 -23; l John 4:4 ; Isa.9:6 -We move from strength to strength for there is no end to God's kingdom. We are commissioned to establish His Kingdom of peace and joy on earth.

Therefore, being an overcomer we accomplish God's purposes for our lives by being conformed to the image of His Son, and destroying the works of the devil.

Homework

Memory verse :

1 Cor.10:13 .

Devotions :

BSAF on Rom.12:1-2 ; Gal.5:16-17 .

Put-off / Put-on :

Describe a problem you are experiencing which God wants you to work on during this course. Begin to work out this problem per the instructions described on the Victory Over Sin Worksheet , column 1 only.

Sample list of problems to help you decide: adultery, anger, anorexia, bulimia, evil talk, depression, lack of discipline, fear, fornication, greed, guilt, homosexuality, impatience, laziness, gluttony, loneliness, lust, lying, marriage problems, pride, procrastination, rebellion, self-pity, substance abuse, worry, bitterness, frustration, stealing, child discipline problems, jealousy, envy, frustration, stealing, interpersonal conflicts and disputes.

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