James 4:8

Come close to God (with a contrite heart) and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners and purify your (unfaithful) hearts, you double-minded (people).

We have a part to play as we grow in our relationship with Jesus. No matter how long we have been born again, we must keep our hearts right. The world will creep into our lives in simple ways and distractions if we don’t remain faithful to the Word. Our hearts will remain pure when we keep our hearts and minds focused on the Word.

Psalm 51:6

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part (of the heart) You will make me know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes to us to be our guide and bring wisdom. The wisdom of God is vital for our lives here on earth. The guidance and knowledge we gain from the Holy Spirit will transform our lives and lead in every area. 

Luke 16:10

He who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much.

It is important to have integrity of the heart. God will not entrust something important to His kingdom to someone who cannot be faithful to His Word. A wicked heart will not be honest in its dealings. Jesus came to change the sinner, remove the sin from the heart, and turn the dishonest person into an honest one. 

Proverbs 16:32

He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty (soldier). And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.

It is outside forces of heat that cause water to boil. People who control their anger and spirit do not let external forces rule or influence their decisions. Thinking and making sound decisions is more straightforward when not being ruled by anger. Anger can lead to decisions made in haste, and a spirit that is controlled will not react in haste. 

Proverbs 8:14

Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power and strength are mine.

We have access to sound wisdom and guidance for our lives. The Holy Spirit is inside the born-again believer, waiting for us to listen and be led. All understanding of every situation and which way we should go comes from the Holy Spirit. We are to be led by the peace in our spirit.

Ezekiel 12:25

For I the Lord will speak, and whatever Word I speak will be accomplished. It will no longer be delayed for in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the Word and I will fulfill it,” says the Lord God.

God knows the power of the Word and speaks. When we understand how God operates and the power of that Word, we will have faith and speak the truth. Then, our words will also be fulfilled as we speak. But only when we believe the truth of the Word, exercise our authority, and speak.

Acts 26:18

To open their (spiritual) eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness and release from their sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified (set apart, made holy) by faith in Me.

Every person has spiritual eyes that can be blinded to God and His Word in darkness by sin. Salvation clears away the blinders, allowing a sinner to see the error. Conviction from God leads to repentance, forgiveness, and revelation-like waking up and finding another world that exists. That world exists in the Bible!

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed (given by divine inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for conviction (of sin), for correction (of error and restoration to obedience), for training in righteousness (learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately-behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage. So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Our spiritual growth spiritually depends on our knowledge of the Bible. The Bible tells us what God expects from us in every aspect of our lives. God also tells us what He will do for us if we believe and follow after Him. In any area of our lives, God has the answer for us. If we seek, we will find.  

Isaiah 55:2

Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your earnings for what does not satisfy: Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good, and let your soul delight in abundance. Incline your ear (to listen) and come to Me; hear, so that your soul may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David.

In this life, chasing after things that we think will satisfy and don’t is easy. We lose our peace and connection to God when we seek money, possessions, status, or fame. God is the only thing that will satisfy our souls and give us the desires of our hearts. When we listen to His Word, we can find peace and the relationship our soul is looking for. 

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you (setting you on a firm foundation) and will protect and guard you from the evil one.

The Lord will not leave us helpless in our time of need. He will guide and strengthen us daily and protect us as we follow His commandments. We need to stay under the cover of the Word and pray daily, not leaving any openings for sin to enter our lives.