Ephesians 4:17-24 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; 19 who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye did not so learn Christ; 21 if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: 22 that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

To become God’s mighty servants, we must decide whether we will base our life on His priorities or the world’s. The two are incompatible.

Before salvation, people typically live according to whatever the flesh desires, indulging themselves with food, entertainment, and material goods. Promoting self-gratification, our culture maintains that everyone is the center of his own universe and can decide what is right for himself.

Scripture teaches the opposite: to put God above all else and “regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Matt. 6:33; Phil. 2:3). So how do we give God top priority? Jesus says it means loving Him wholeheartedly, denying ourselves, and following Him (Matt. 16:24; Matt. 22:37-39). That includes generosity. Instead of encouraging us to acquire money and possessions, He teaches that giving brings far more blessings than receiving ( Acts 20:35 35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. ).

How can we know we are becoming spiritually stronger? First, we’ll be less attracted to the ungodly practices of our world and will yearn to be more like Jesus. Next, we will start replacing ungodly habits with activities that please the Lord. Then, we’ll begin to comprehend some of the deeper biblical truths and apply them in our life. Finally, our spiritual discernment will improve. With the Spirit’s help, we will more easily recognize unrighteous ideas and behavior.

Do you want to become mighty in spirit? If so, spend time in the Scriptures learning what is important to God. Then ask Him to transform you into the person He has designed you to be.

Bible In One Year: Psalms 112-118 Chapter 112 1 Praise ye Jehovah. Blessed is the man that feareth Jehovah, That delighteth greatly in his commandments. 2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: The generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house; And his righteousness endureth for ever. 4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: `He is' gracious, and merciful, and righteous. 5 Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth; He shall maintain his cause in judgment. 6 For he shall never be moved; The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah. 8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Until he see `his desire' upon his adversaries. 9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy; His righteousness endureth for ever: His horn shall be exalted with honor. 10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: The desire of the wicked shall perish. Chapter 113 1 Praise ye Jehovah. Praise, O ye servants of Jehovah, Praise the name of Jehovah. 2 Blessed be the name of Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore. 3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same Jehovah's name is to be praised. 4 Jehovah is high above all nations, And his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like unto Jehovah our God, That hath his seat on high, 6 That humbleth himself to behold `The things that are' in heaven and in the earth? 7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth up the needy from the dunghill; 8 That he may set him with princes, Even with the princes of his people. 9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, `And to be' a joyful mother of children. Praise ye Jehovah. Chapter 114 1 When Israel went forth out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language; 2 Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion. 3 The sea saw it, and fled; The Jordan was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs. 5 What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back? 6 Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams; Ye little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters. Chapter 115 1 Not unto us, O Jehovah, not unto us, But unto thy name give glory, For thy lovingkindness, and for thy truth's sake. 2 Wherefore should the nations say, Where is now their God? 3 But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not; Eyes have they, but they see not; 6 They have ears, but they hear not; Noses have they, but they smell not; 7 They have hands, but they handle not; Feet have they, but they walk not; Neither speak they through their throat. 8 They that make them shall be like unto them; Yea, every one that trusteth in them. 9 O Israel, trust thou in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust ye in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield. 11 Ye that fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah: He is their help and their shield. 12 Jehovah hath been mindful of us; he will bless `us': He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless them that fear Jehovah, Both small and great. 14 Jehovah increase you more and more, You and your children. 15 Blessed are ye of Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth. 16 The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah; But the earth hath he given to the children of men. 17 The dead praise not Jehovah, Neither any that go down into silence; 18 But we will bless Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore. Praise ye Jehovah. Chapter 116 1 I love Jehovah, because he heareth My voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, Therefore will I call `upon him' as long as I live. 3 The cords of death compassed me, And the pains of Sheol gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of Jehovah: O Jehovah, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious is Jehovah, and righteous; Yea, our God is merciful. 6 Jehovah preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; For Jehovah hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, Mine eyes from tears, `And' my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before Jehovah In the land of the living. 10 I believe, for I will speak: I was greatly afflicted: 11 I said in my haste, All men are liars. 12 What shall I render unto Jehovah For all his benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of Jehovah. 14 I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of Jehovah Is the death of his saints. 16 O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant: I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of Jehovah. 18 I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people, 19 In the courts of Jehovah's house, In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah. Chapter 117 1 O praise Jehovah, all ye nations; Laud him, all ye peoples. 2 For his lovingkindness is great toward us; And the truth of Jehovah `endureth' for ever. Praise ye Jehovah. Psalm 118 Chapter 118 1 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever. 2 Let Israel now say, That his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever. 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, That his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever. 4 Let them now that fear Jehovah say, That his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever. 5 Out of my distress I called upon Jehovah: Jehovah answered me `and set me' in a large place. 6 Jehovah is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me? 7 Jehovah is on my side among them that help me: Therefore shall I see `my desire' upon them that hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in princes. 10 All nations compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off. 11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off. 12 They compassed me about like bees; They are quenched as the fire of thorns: In the name of Jehovah I will cut them off. 13 Thou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall; But Jehovah helped me. 14 Jehovah is my strength and song; And he is become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly. 16 The right hand of Jehovah is exalted: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly. 17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of Jehovah. 18 Jehovah hath chastened me sore; But he hath not given me over unto death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto Jehovah. 20 This is the gate of Jehovah; The righteous shall enter into it. 21 I will give thanks unto thee; for thou hast answered me, And art become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected Is become the head of the corner. 23 This is Jehovah's doing; It is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which Jehovah hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, we beseech thee, O Jehovah: O Jehovah, we beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of Jehovah: We have blessed you out of the house of Jehovah. 27 Jehovah is God, and he hath given us light: Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. 28 Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt thee. 29 Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness `endureth' for ever.