We all, are born with the character and nature of Satan, "Pride and Selfishness,"although Jesus death on the cross, and our salvation through coming to him with all our hearts assures us that we have power over the sin nature, we still have the "potential," to walk in pride instead of submission.

Pride-selfishness, can be put together in one name. " superiority spirit!"

This spirit is very deceitful, and fickle, ( as are all demons ). But, this one really has a twist to it. He tells you one minute that you are "better than so & so," or.. "you deserve better than this," or "this shouldn't happen to you!". etc.

Then when he has you in position, and you have practiced his lies, and let pride lead you, rather than being submissive to Christ, he comes and tells you, "how rotten you are," "you are not fit to be a Christian," Jesus
wouldn't act this way." "you are a real disaster!".... this is still a position of "pride." ( in the form of false  humility AND UNBELIEF ), rather than in faith and trust in the abilities of Christ!

It's all the pride - self act working together, to cause us the trouble.
Most pulpits are full of this spirit. most pews are filled with this spirit.

"THIS SPIRIT ALSO WORKS TOGETHER WITH CONTROL"

Romans 8: 6-8
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

Whatever God gives me to do, He will also with that assignment, give me the anointing and the authority, to do it correctly and effectively. It is when I fear not being in control, that I begin to rule with "harshness;" The "harshness," is nothing more than "fear," that I must keep a "tight reign," or else lose that control!

Beloved, God must be in control over all I am doing! And I must learn to accept His way of doing it!

I must learn to leave the "results" to Him, and not try and, "control" the situation to accommodate my own personal satisfaction! I am "not," the owner of anything, only the care taker. The people I minister to and live with, even my own life, do not belong to me, but to God! So, I must develop a confident trust in the Father. And this, will lead to both a willingness, and a surrender to hear His voice in each situation! When I am doing what, "He sees best," not manipulating; Not controlling things to get my own way, or, even what I think to be "God's desired results, Now I am learning what it means to be a "dead man." "No longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
 

Most DON'T TELL US  how to deal with this, or that we could even walk in it!

 
The answer, as all answers do, comes right back to the cross!
Philippians 2: 1-18, is a good place to start.

WE WILL HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THE SCRIPTURES:

( VS 3 ).... DO NOTHING FROM SELFISHNESS OR EMPTY CONCEIT, BUT WITH HUMILITY OF MIND LET EACH OF YOU REGARD ONE ANOTHER AS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HIMSELF.

( VS. 8 ).... AND BEING FOUND IN APPEARANCE OF A MAN, HE, ( JESUS ), HUMBLED HIMSELF BY BECOMING OBEDIENT TO THE POINT OF DEATH, EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS.

YOU SEE, JESUS DID NOT HAVE HIS MIND ON HIS NEEDS, AND ON HIS CONCERNS, BUT ON THE HURTS AND NEEDS OF OTHERS. THIS IS A "PART," OF WHAT IT IS FOR "US," TO TAKE UP OUR CROSS! HIS MIND WAS SET ON THE WILL OF HIS FATHER IN HEAVEN!

Rev 18:1-8, shows us a look at the laid back, soften the gospel, easy in Zion church! filled with "pride and self.........." the Lord says, ......"Come out of her "my people" and run from the fierce anger of the Lord.... (REV 18"1-8 )

And so, we should, if we find ourselves in such a place. But, we must also understand, that this is a call to "come out of the harlot heart of pride and self as well," for she will lay her grip upon all who will walk in her path.

Although we could turn to a thousand places' in the word, look at ( I Peter 5: 6-11 ), this will greatly help, with Philippians chapter two.

( I PETER 5: 6 )     HUMBLE YOURSELVES UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD, THAT HE MAY EXALT YOU AT THE PROPER TIME.

Folks, we must carry on in the Lord, and " as we surrender" our will to him, and "yield to him our hearts," and as we "allow the Holy Spirit" his way in all things, then, we shall be on the pathway to be, "all that Jesus died to make us be."

There are no "instants", or "it comes without our part being done!" no, as we submit to God, moment by moment, second by second, minute by minute.. then, the Lord will exalt us, ( I.e. over our enemies ), at the proper time.

God bless you, I pray the Lord deal with your heart in such a way, that you find a new love relationship with him, like never before. That you will yield your heart to the dealings of the Holy Spirit, moment by moment, and as you do, I pray that you will experience the wonderful joy and peace that come through a humble heart..

Love in Jesus,
Pastor Gary R. Kane