Don’t Deny Your Need for Discipline
"Our outer man must be broken so that the Spirit can be released."
One great danger in pulling ourselves away from legalism and angry Christianity is we can throw out the baby with the bath water – we cease to pursue rigorous discipleship because legalists are often rigorously demanding in their rules. But rigorous training and personal discipline ARE the life of a freedom-fighting disciple of Christ. So one shift must occur: the emphasis must always be on working in and with the Spirit's power and not human effort. The former is radiant and compelling, and the latter is dull and repelling.
Praying "in the Spirit" is mentioned three times in Corinthians. It's not about the style of our prayers but rather the means of our prayers. To pray "in the Spirit" is the intention to open the sails of our soul to hear from God and be entirely led by him.
The Holy Spirit is not as mysterious or spooky as many believe. On the contrary, God's Spirit is an essential person of the Trinity, and neglecting him is dangerous. But the Spirit's work is both practical and tangible. For example, helping in "our weakness," "leading us into all truth," and giving us the "power" to live radiantly.
We must stop striving in our strength and be still and enough to hear the Spirit and not ourselves. As Watchman Nee taught so beautifully, "our outer man must be broken so that the Spirit can be released." Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, so we must invite God to break our outer man (our humanness), so the Spirit can take complete control of our lives, direction, decisions, and conversations. Then, prayers can be prayed, and life can be lived in the power of God and not our own. So don't deny your need for discipline and training; be sure to do it "in step with the Spirit."
Blessings,
Karl