1VICTORY OVER SELF

We’re in a new season— The body of Christ is entering another season. It’s another watch
also. Have you been responsible for what God has given you? If you have, you will get more.
If you haven’t, then what you have will be taken. It’s a new season. The devil’s on the run.
He’s on the run to those who love the flesh. Seeking whom he can devour. That’s what the
bible tells us. And in this place that God is bringing us to— it’s about exposure. Of course, he
always brings us to those places, doesn’t he. So where there’s another season, there is
another reason. In other words, God is getting ready to move something specifically to attack
a part of the kingdom of darkness. Strategically. You know, so many times we get so caught
up in our traditions that we lose sight of what God is really trying to do. There are many
movements of the Spirit. And in certain areas of the country it’s not always the same
movement. Because in certain areas of the country— in fact, in certain areas of the world, he
is strategically pulling down strongholds. He’s strategically hitting principalities. In other
words, God is always one step ahead of the devil. The bible tells us that the Spirit will guide
us into all truth. The whole thing is to be led by the Spirit and by being led by the Spirit you
will always be one step ahead of the devil. It’s when we go astray that we fall short. Let me
share something with you. The devil— we have dominion over. The majority of the time your
worst enemy is yourself. And the Spirit gave me something that was interesting and we want
to talk about victory over self tonight. Okay? First of all we need to find out what is “self.”
Go to Genesis 1. You know so many times we are trying to break, cast down, bind— You
know you can’t bind self, I hate to tell you. And you can’t cast out self— I’d love to, but it just
doesn’t work. So we have got to take authority over self. First of all we must recognize what
“self” is and what it represents. The bible says in Genesis 1:26, And God said, Let us make
man in our image, according to our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the
sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every
creeping thing that creeps on the earth. Now that’s pretty intense— if you really think about
this. Because he says, Okay let’s make man— and they are going to be like me! You know
God loved— He wanted to share his love with other creation. So he created man. Because
man was the express image of God’s love! He said, There they are!! They are in my likeness
and image – oh, I love them!!! —just like a big teddy bear, you know. He loved them. He
said okay now that you are in my likeness, I am going to give you something. Authority.
Dominion. And Power— to rule. In the arena of having dominion, power and authority, it was
not to take advantage of it. It was to be in an arena where accountability was. It wasn’t to
be abused. So God— in verse 27 it says, So God created man in his own image, in the image
of God he created him; male and female created he them. Now listen, Adam was created in
the image and likeness of God. Amen? Eve came from Adam. Now there was no sin, no
fallen nature there. Amen? Their character was going to compliment one another. And the
expression that God created man— to compliment one another. Does everybody understand
that? Hallelujah. Then God what? He what? Blessed them. And God said to them, Be
fruitful, and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. In other words, take authority. Have
dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that
moves on the earth. So he was saying, Listen, here it is, you are made in my image, you’re
made in my likeness, you have my character, you have my dominion — you have everything.
You are just like me! So Adam and Eve were created as an expression of God’s love.
Because God is love, isn’t he. Amen? With his character and his image God expressed
himself. Now listen to this, God chose to express himself in another dimension. That’s why
he created man. Because God was Spirit, wasn’t he. Adam and Eve were glorified but they
were tangible. They were made in his image and likeness but it was a whole other
dimension. So God expressed his love in another dimension. Does everyone understand
that? Because the bible says in Genesis 1, In the beginning— In other words, he created
time and space. So what he did out of eternity— He took a chunk out of eternity. This big
square— or we’ll call it a big rectangle, whatever you want— out of eternity. Pulled it out and
he said this is going to be known as the universe — and I’m going to create time. And there
is going to be a beginning and an end because I am the alpha and omega. And in this people
will be bound— this whole segment will be bound by space and time. Because I am setting
up another dimension that I may express myself in its creation of who I am— that man may
understand me. Does everybody get this? Okay. Cool. Now what did he do? Well he gave
them dominion. Amen? And now he created relationship with man because he used to meet
them in the garden. Because the bible said, In the cool of the day. Listen, they didn’t see
God like a person, they knew him through his creation. They knew him as a wind. They knew
him as the voice. They knew him— do you understand that? They knew him— out of
everything he created, it was the expression of God’s love. So everything that they looked at
— everything they saw, no matter what, they knew it was the expression of their creator’s
love. He spoke to them through everything, no matter what it was. That’s why when the
Lord said okay now listen. You are in Holy Ghost boot camp now. I’ve given you my
character, my wisdom and everything. Now I want you to begin to utilize it and practice it.
So there are going to be some challenges here. Because I want to teach you. So he said,
Listen you can eat of all the trees in the garden but there is one you can’t. You have to
understand something, God expressed himself through his creation, didn’t he. But he told
them, Listen I’m not expressing myself through that specific tree. That’s not my expression,
but everything else is. He warned them. Oh, hallelujah. Now go to Genesis 3. One of the
things that the Lord was training them to be was like-minded with him. Amen? Now the
serpent— which was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that was in the garden —was
more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the
woman, Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of the tree of the garden? Now this tree is
expressing itself because it is an expression of darkness— It was the serpent, wasn’t it. Now
I’m not going to go into a whole teaching of where the serpent and all this other stuff. He had
a right to be in the garden - I’m going to tell you that. You can get the teachings to find out
why. But anyways he had a right to be there. So the serpent was expressing himself when
he was speaking to Eve, wasn’t he. One of the things he did was he challenged her with a
question. And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the
garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden [in other words, where
you are!], God has said, You shall not eat of it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die. Now this is
very powerful because prior to that we know that God expressed to Adam and Eve that they
could not eat of the tree. Now there is another expression, which is another level— and she
said that they couldn’t touch it. So here we know that God told them more than once
because Eve could not lie! Hello. Now she said, We can’t even touch it. Is everybody with
me? Lest we what? Die. Then the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die. So the
serpent called God a what? Liar. Oh, hallelujah. Now the serpent had a specific plan here.
He was trying to start something. And he said something very powerful, he says, says, For
God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God
knowing good and evil. Now what was the serpent doing? He was planting seed. He was
planting seed. See because they didn’t have corruptible seeds. They were the seed of
righteousness. Now there were other seeds beginning to be planted - imparted. So now the
serpent was getting her attention. Something began to happen that she didn’t understand. It
was called “reason.” Wait a minute. Wait a minute. See the draw of that deception, she was
trying to break away from. Now you know it doesn’t say how many times she broke away
before— but only records this time when she won’t break away. Hello. Now you noticed
Adam wasn’t there. Because one cause a thousand to flight. Two cause a legion to flight.
Because dominion would have been taken. Listen, the devil doesn’t usually come when you
are in a group. He usually comes when you are by yourself. That’s when he attacks you.
Cause he’s a weenie! Hallelujah. Now listen, When the woman saw that the tree was good
for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she
took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of
both of them were opened and they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig leaves
together and made themselves coverings. Now this is very powerful because what had
happened was that their eyes were actually shut to the things of the Spirit and opened to the
things of the carnal arena! Because once Adam took and ate of that, he gave up his authority
and his office— and the prince of the power of the air immediately took over. Is everybody
with me? Okay. Now what was his purpose? You know you have to think about this. What
was his purpose? We know that God had them in the garden and their purpose was that they
would be like-minded with God. Their motive had nothing to do with self, did it. Nothing to
do with self. See you have to remember the serpent was a promoter of self, wasn’t he. He
wanted to exalt himself above God. Everything was about him! Me, myself and I. The trinity
of satan. Amen? So what was he trying to do? He was trying to produce offspring. And he
needed a family to start with. Hello. What was he trying to do? Produce self. He succeeded.
For the first time there was self. Look at what happened to them. Their eyes were opened
and what did they do? They sewed fig leaves on themselves!! Why? For the first time, they
were consumed with themselves!!!!! They didn’t know anything about that. Everything
changed! They were consumed with themselves. Now look at— Daddy saw this— of course
we know that he went to them and said, Adam where are you? Adam was hiding. And he
said, Where are you? Like he didn’t know where he was— right. Adam said man I was hiding
because I was afraid. And the Lord said, Well who told that you were afraid? He said, Did you
eat of that tree? Why? Because it brought everything to “self” now!! Something happened.
Adam and Eve, who were one in the Spirit, are now divided. Where their spirit, soul and body
were one, because they had a glorified body— now it was divided. And “self” was birthed.
Does everybody get that? Self was birthed! Oh, hallelujah. And in verse 21 it says, Also for
Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin and clothed them. So we know that the
Lord had to kill an animal in the garden because he was taking a life for a life— right?
Because– now we know that Adam and Eve had to die. They lost their eternal life. Why?
Because self brings death. Hello. And the LORD God said, Behold, the man has become like
one of us, s one of us, to know good and evil— Wait a minute, he created them in his image
and likeness. Yes, but there was a part that God hid from Adam and Eve. And it was about
evil. Just because God knew it, he didn’t fellowship with it. And he wanted to fellowship with
Adam and Eve, his creation. The expression of his love. He did not want to fellowship with
self. Does everybody understand that? Why? Because self represented the serpent. Now
look, And the LORD God said, Behold, the man has become like one of us, to know good and
evil: and now, lest he put out his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live
forever: Therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden— out of the garden of Eden, to
till the ground from which he was taken. So he drove out self. Does everybody understand
that? He drove out the man. And he placed a cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden,
and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. Why? The
Lord removed Adam and Eve because they had become self. What is self? An independent
spirit. No longer dependent, but independent. Hello. What did he do? He drove them out of
his presence! He drove them out of the place of fellowship. He drove them out of the place
of blessing. Even though he blessed them because he restored covenant with them by the
sacrifice of the animal— He said, I’m still going to fulfill what I said to do— but you’re going to
have to do it another way. Not according to the way I initially planned it— but here is Plan
“B” — because you blew it. Hello. Doesn’t the bible say all things work together for good to
them that love the Lord? Well, his word hasn’t changed. Now listen, self is an independent
spirit trying to fulfill the character of its birth association in the garden. Now what is its birth
association in the garden? The serpent. Self is an independent spirit trying to fulfill the
character if its birth association in the garden. Now listen— That rejects the guidance of its
creator. It rejects the guidance of its creator. It is attributed to the spirit of pride. You want
me to say that again? Self is an independent spirit trying to fulfill the character of its birth
association in the garden that rejects the guidance of its creator. That’s self. It is attributed
to the spirit of pride. Listen, self promotes self. And associates with others that compete
with promotion of self. Self promotes self and associates with others that compete with
promotion of self. Think about the world. Isn’t that what it is? Look when you see— all the
world— flesh creatures. You see nothing but self! Don’t you? Self promotes self and
competes with others that are promoting self!! God drove out the man of self— Because he
doesn’t associate with self. The devil does! Oh, go to John 8. Like I said, victory over self,
first you have to know what you’re associating with. In verse 42. John 8:42. Jesus said to
them, if God were your Father, you would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God;
nor have I come of myself— Hello! Of my what? Self. I have not come of myself. See he
knew all about this. We’re just catching up on it. —but he sent me. Why do you not
understand my speech? Because you are not able to listen to my word. You are of your
father the what? devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer
from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When
he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources: for he is a liar, and the father of it. But
because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? And if I
tell the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears God's word. Therefore you
do not hear because you are not of God. In other words, your self is not of God! Why?
Because it was birthed from darkness!! Oh, hallelujah!! Self— Are you ready for this? —is a
child of the devil. The bible says that you and I were what? Born of darkness. That’s why we
must be born again. Go to Luke 9. I’m telling you that we really need to get this
understanding. We need to understand what Jesus was really talking about. Because Jesus
was actually— now think about this. Jesus was the will of God manifested in the natural
realm! You want to know what the will of God is? Then you better know who Jesus is. Luke
9:23. Then he said to them all, If anyone desires to come after me, let him what? Deny
himself— Why? Because self is not coming! I will not have fellowship with self. —and take
up his cross when? Daily! Oh, hallelujah. Take up his cross daily!!! It’s too bad some people
take up their cross once a week— And you can tell. Take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever will save his “self” [oh, I mean “life”] will what? Lose it. But whoever loses his
life for my sake, will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and is
himself destroyed or lost. For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him the Son of
man will be ashamed, when he comes in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy
angels. So denial of self is a daily process. In other words, what we are denying is that child
of the devil. Is everybody with me? Oh, hallelujah. Go to Matthew 16. Matthew 16:21, From
that time forth began Jesus to show to his disciples, how that he must go to Jerusalem, and
suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised
again the third day. So he’s telling them and showing them what he’s got to do, right. Now
he’s expressing that he’s going to have to die! Jesus was born to die. He did not come of his
own will. He did not come of self. He was the expression of his Father— in love, which was
lost in the garden. Does everybody understand? And he brought— this was the second
opportunity that God had come or expressed himself— he expressed himself through the
creation of Adam and Eve and then he expressed himself through Jesus, the Christ. It’s
amazing how the first time the garden was closed but then it was reopened to Jesus. Oh,
hallelujah. And that’s where the fight was, wasn’t it. Jesus didn’t die on the cross, he died in
the garden. What did he die to? Self. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him—
Or what he was actually doing was promoting self. —saying, Far be it from you, Lord. This
shall not happen to you. I’ll kick butt for you, baby! Ain’t nobody going to kill my Lordy!!! I
got it down!!! You’re the man!! I’m telling you I’m going to kick butt on anybody that tries to
get to you, they got to go through me first!! It’s me and you Jesus! Yeah, we’re tight— we’re
tight! We down! But Jesus turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Self. Get behind me
what? satan: you are an offense to me: for you are not mindful of the things of God, but
mindful of the things of men— which represents what? Self!! Go to 2 Corinthians 6. This is
going to change your whole view when you read the bible. Why? Because the Lord is
bringing us to another place and another season. You know your fight is not outwardly. It’s
inwardly. 2 Corinthians 6:11, Oh you Corinthians, we have spoken openly to you, our heart is
wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections
[representing self]. Now in return, for the same I speak to children, you also be open. Do not
be what? Unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Why? What’s an unbeliever? It’s a
child of the devil. Hello. He said, man don’t be hanging around with them!! It’s a child of the
devil. Why? It’s a promoter of self, isn’t it. Amen? A promoter of self! —for what fellowship
has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what
accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what
agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as
God has said, I will dwell in them, I will walk among them; and I will be their God, and they
shall be my people. Therefore [or “if” you do this] come out from among them, and be
separate says the Lord and do not touch what is unclean. Now didn’t Eve say that also? —
and I will receive you. And will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters,
said the Lord Almighty. Now this is powerful. Because the first key that we must understand,
in having victory over self, is sanctification. If there is not sanctification, you will never have
victory over yourself. That’s what he is saying, Come out from among them! Come out from
among them. Why? Because there are corruptible seeds. Listen, you still carry self in you!
Self is not dead! And everyone knows it. You deal with it every single day. You sleep with it
— and would like to unzip it off and hang it in your closet and not talk with it or fellowship
with it. But it’s still there! It’s still there! It still nags you. It’s a thorn in your flesh!! That’s
what self is. It’s an infirmity. It’s a weakness. There is that fight ALL the time— with self!
Amen? Oh, hallelujah. But if you don’t have the first key— and I just want to share this with
you. It’s very important. Because I want to share seven keys. Seven attributes— or
whatever you want to call them. Seven things. I don’t care. But there are seven keys that I
want to share that are important— to have victory over self. And the first important one is
sanctification. You must be separate!! You must be separated from those things. Listen,
people are still feeding self by TV programs! People are still feeding themselves by music!
People are still feeding themselves— I’m talking about things of the world— the bible says, He
who is a friend of the world is an enemy of God. Not that God is their enemy— Do you
understand that? They are God’s enemy!! Amen? People are still associating with things of
the world and feeding themselves— Hello —with the things of the world which promotes self!
People are still looking at things. Believe me, do you know how many believers are in
fornication! Do you know how many believers are in pornography! It’s ridiculous!!! Do you
know what they are promoting? Self! And they think they can get away with it. And they
play holy roller when actually they are not rolling for anything. The bible says that anything
you are building on that God has delivered you from is an abomination. Why? Because he
saying then you are promoting self again. You are promoting self. Oh, hallelujah. The first
key is sanctification. Let me share something with you. The anointing is a person. Hello. It’s
not just some foo-foo thing that comes on you. It’s not just goose bumps! The anointing is a
person!!! And he is the Holy Spirit! That’s why the bible says, Do not quench the Spirit.
When you promote yourself, you quench the Spirit! That’s why Catherine Coolman used to
say, I die a thousand deaths. What was she dying to? Herself! That’s why Jesus said you
must deny yourself!! Look at how many people— now listen, I’m just sharing some things
here so don’t be offended. What do you think drugs and alcohol promote? Self. What do you
think overeating promotes? Self. Amen? What do you think laziness promotes? Hello! All of
these things promote self. If it promotes self — Hello — it promotes the child of the devil.
That’s why— you know what— you get frustrated after a period of time because you know
that fight— I mean, it’s like man it’s right there and you’re casting out the devil and you’re
doing all kinds of things. But you can’t cast out self. And you can’t keep blaming the devil
saying he made you do it. Because the bible says you have dominion over him. It just said it.
Right? We have dominion. Now go to Romans 8, verse 5. Romans 8:5. For those who live
according to the self— what do you think flesh promotes. Now let me share something with
you. Your flesh is either going to serve one or the other. Whatever has dominion on the
inside is going to have dominion on the out. The bible says that whatever you serve, you
become a slave to. So whatever is taking authority within, whether it’s self— or the child of
God or the child the devil, your flesh is going to manifest it. Is everybody with me? Praise
God. Now it says, For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of
the flesh. That means the carnal things, the things of the world. But those who live
according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death [or to be
selfishly minded]; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is
enmity against God [or hates God]. Why is the carnal mind hating the things of God?
Because it’s the child of the devil. It’s known as self! For it is not subject to the law of God,
nor can it be. It can’t be! It can never be!! That’s why dominion must be taken over it.
That’s why the mind of Christ is the Holy Spirit! The mind of Christ is the Holy Spirit. It’s the
anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage. It’s the anointing that separates the old man of
self to the new man. It’s the same thing that’s in the garden— right from the original state
where there was the knowledge of the tree of good and evil and the tree of life. That’s you
now. That’s you. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was not removed from the
garden. It wasn’t removed from the garden. Its offspring was. Does everybody understand
that? The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was not removed from the garden. Only its
offspring. That’s why there was a guard put around the tree of life. Because he wasn’t going
to allow that thing to continue to live forever. Live according to the flesh, which means self.
Mind of self is death. Darkness is death. Listen, self promotes pride. Pride promotes lies.
Lies promote fear. And behind every fear there is an idol. Remember we talked a little bit
about this— I think it was Saturday. Self promotes pride. Pride promotes lies. Lies promote
fear. And behind every fear there is an idol. And that idol is self! It starts and finishes with
self. It’s the same thing that happened in the garden. What was the first thing that affected
Adam and Eve? They were what? Afraid. satan’s greatest weapon is what? Deception. And
his power is fear! So the first thing he had to do was deceive them. He deceived Eve. Eve
deceived Adam. That was the first key. Then what happened? Fear entered. Because why?
Because now his power took over! And what did he control them with? You know the devil’s
nothing but a controlling demon. Well, I can’t say he’s a controlling demon because a
demon’s a disembodied spirit— but he’s a controlling angel. His whole purpose and function
that he has is— in control. How does he control people? By fear. Think about that? Now
listen, here’s something else. Okay so self promotes pride, pride promotes lies, lies promote
fear, and behind fear is an idol of self. Self. It starts and finishes with self. Anger— now we
went from promotion— now I want to go to protection. Anger protects pride. Did you ever
notice that when people are angry. They are protecting what? Pride. Pride protects self.
And self is an idol. That’s why Jesus said you must deny yourself. Why? It’s idolatry. Go to
Luke 14. Anger protects pride, pride protects self. Luke 14. So the first thing we talked
about, the first key is sanctification— separate from them. Do not touch those things. Do not
feed yourself with the music of the world. Don’t feed yourself with the television of the world.
Don’t feed yourself— do you know how many people— I mean, it blows my mind! Do you
know how many believers are showing up at bingo places? [Laughter.] Where you going?
Bingo. Bingo???!!!!?? [Laughter.] You mean you’re going to go gamble? Yes. I do it every
weekend. Well, why don’t you go to a bible study instead of bingo. Bingo— yeah people go
to church and the bingo hall! —That’s wonderful, I’m glad you are learning all that stuff. Oh,
hallelujah. And they wonder why they open themselves up to stuff. Hallelujah. And you
know the thing is— There is a limit to everything. You know, I would never get on anyone
who bought a lottery ticket. Do you know what I’m saying? Hey give God an opportunity.
Right? But when somebody goes to these scratch things all the time— Man you see some of
these people with these wads of stuff in their pockets [laughter] pulling them out and here
you are trying to get a bottle of water. And you are waiting for this person to do every
scratch-off— everything— turn in this one, turn in that one. Do you know what they did?
They left with nothing and they still owe money! I mean, I see some of these old ladies with a
wad of these — lottery things. I mean they are going in there and it looks like they bought
every one for the whole neighborhood. Like I said, I’m not against somebody going out and
buying a lottery ticket but there are limits and boundaries that you and I must— Because
what happens is we begin to fall into the worldly way of self. Amen? The bible says we are
to walk in the liberty but don’t abuse it. Amen? But there are boundaries that God has set
for each and every one of us. And sometimes somebody’s boundaries may be a little bit
different than someone else’s. That’s why it’s important to fellowship. But don’t use that as
an excuse to not. Okay, where were we. Luke 14:33. I think. Where am I at? Yeah. Luke
14:33. What’s it say anyways? So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has
cannot be my what? He can’t be my disciple. Now this is an area where— the first key we
talked about was sanctification. The second key— it’s a two part thing. You must have
revelation and realization that you don’t own anything! You must have revelation and
realization that you don’t own anything!!! And that you are nothing without Him!!!! Oh,
hallelujah. Man, that’s mine. That’s mine. Remember when Jesus told the man that was
wealthy— He said, Yes I fast twice a week. I give tithes and offerings. I feed the poor. I do
all kinds of stuff. Jesus said, Cool. Sell everything and come on and follow me. And he said,
But, but, but, but, but, but. He got into the “but” ministry, didn’t he. He no longer— the
head, he got butted! [Lots of laughter.] Hello. He challenged the Lord and the Lord
challenged him. See the one thing is, we must have revelation and realization that you and I
don’t own anything. And when he says to you, Give it up. Give it up. Why? Because if you
are still fighting for it, that means you are afraid of giving it up and what’s behind every fear?
An idol. And it becomes idolatry. Why? Because it’s promoting self!!! Now don’t come to
me and tell me the Lord told you to tell me to give you my bike. [Laughter.] Because that’s
our bike! God will have to personally tell me himself. [More laughter.] And you know what? If
he said it, I would do it. Because I would know he has something better for me, or another
purpose. Hallelujah. Luke 18. But see you are not going to know that without relationship.
Do you know what I’m saying? You are going to have to go through things to really— And
that’s what was going on with Adam and Eve because they were learning who God was. But
it got cut short. Now see so we are going through a process. In everything that you do, you
are learning who God is! Hey listen, if you don’t get in trouble— And I’m not telling you to go
out and get in trouble now, alright. I’m talking about things— our past and so forth—
everybody’s going through something. You are either in the wilderness, going in the
wilderness or coming out! Okay, Luke 18:29. In verse 29, And he said to them, Assuredly I
say to you, there is no one who has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, or
the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time
and in the age to come, eternal life. So he’s saying, listen there is a reward for denying
yourself. Hello. There is a reward for putting the kingdom of God first. There is a reward for
those things. There’s a reward. You know there is nothing wrong with starting a family. But
I’m telling you as a servant of the Most High God, God is first. God is first. No matter what.
You and I— and I share this with everybody— a servant of the Lord does not have a life. He
does not have a life. She does not have a life. The life that we live is to be lived unto Christ!
The blessings are to have a family. Hello. And to be an expression of Christ in our families.
Amen? It’s an honor and blessing to have a family— as long as it’s walking according to the
will of God. Oh, hallelujah. Romans 15:1. We must have revelation and realization that we
don’t own anything. Hello. That’s why he says, Listen if you will forsake all these things
there is great reward. Romans 15. Oh, hallelujah. In verse 1. Read it with me. We then who
are strong ought to bear the scruples of the weak, and infirmities of the weak, and not to
please ourselves. I like that word. I want you to start looking at “ourselves.” Not to please
ourselves. Not to please the child of darkness. Not to please that child of darkness. Not to
please that child. Not to please self. Why? That’s why Jesus said something very important,
he said, I’ve come to lay down my life for my friends. See “self” will not lay down its life.
Oooo you kidding me? Whew! Go to 2 Corinthians 13:5. Would you read it with me?
Examine your what? Yourself. —as to whether you are what? In the faith. Test yourselves.
Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed you are what?
Disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified. Now let me share
something with you. This is important. He says examine yourselves whether you are in the
faith— or whether you are in the flesh or in the spirit! Examine yourselves. In other words,
the third key that we are to do is take time to examine ourselves! Many people don’t. They
just keep— The next thing you know they are shooting off in the flesh, shooting off ungodly
fruits and all kinds of goofy things. Then they have to get reigned in by someone else and
you know why? Because they have not taken time to examine themselves. Every day. Daily
we examine ourselves. Daily— and not just one time out of the day. Your going to have to
examine yourself in every decision you make whether it is of self or of God. Every decision.
You will have to discern whose motivating your spirit. What spirit is motivating your spirit.
Examine yourselves. Take the time. You know— because self always creeps up doesn’t it.
Amen? Two things I want to express about examining yourself. One of the ways you will
know if you are manifesting in self is if there is worry or fear manifesting. That’s the first
thing. Worry and fear— A. worry and fear. B. The second thing, criticism and offense. Those
two areas you will always know whether you are faith walking or self walking. Amen? Why?
Because worry and fear will be there and criticism or offense. What are you taking the time
for? You’re taking the time to expose these things. Amen? You are taking the time to
examine— but in true reality what you are doing is actually exposing them for you to see.
Everybody else can see it, now its time for you to see it. So the first key is sanctification. The
second key is to get revelation and realization that you don’t own anything. The third key is
to take time to examine yourself— or take time to expose. Because what you want to do is—
as you are doing these, you are going to know whether you are walking in the faith, which is
in Spirit, or whether you are walking in the flesh and trusting in your own self. Amen? The
bible says blessed is the man who trusts in God and cursed is the man who trusts in himself.
Luke 12:22. Then Jesus said to his disciples, Therefore I say to you, Do not worry about
yourself [I mean your life], what you will eat; nor about the body, or what you will put on. Life
is more than food— HELLO. And body is more than clothing. What’s he saying? Don’t worry!
It just promotes self, doesn’t it. Think about it. Fear. What’s behind fear? An idol. Right?
Yeah, but what about ME! You know I love how Jesus expressed things, especially with John
the Baptist. John said something very powerful. He said Jesus must increase and I must
decrease. Right? John was an expression of the old man. And you have to remember
something— in the bible— there are more attributes than just one— according to a passage
or an event or something that happened. Because when things happen in the Spirit— it’s
multiple. They are a representation of past, present and future. But you must be in the Spirit
to understand what God is talking about for you at that time. That’s the difference between
letter and Spirit. Amen? And in this— and I just want to share this quickly— John showed up
as a representation of the old man. Jesus showed up as a representation of the new man.
The first thing that happened to John was that he got put back in jail— or he got put in jail.
Hello. An expression that the flesh must be crucified. And then the second thing that
happened to John was that he was what? Beheaded. Oh, hallelujah. Some of us just need to
stick that Holy Ghost rag right in the mouth of self sometimes. Amen? Shut that mind off of
self. Hallelujah. 2 Timothy1. In verse 6, it says, Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of
God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. In other words, stir yourself up.
Stirring yourself up means stirring your faith up! Get in the faith. Get in the Spirit. Amen?
Get in the Spirit! Why? So you can deny yourself. He says something very powerful, he
says, For God has not given us the spirit of what? —fear; but of power, of love, and of a
sound mind. These three things, power, love of God and the sound mind of Christ, will be
disqualified and nullified by associating with fear. It cripples it. Why? Because behind fear is
what? An idol! Philippians 3:8. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellency of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do
count them as what? Rubbish, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having my
own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death; If by any
means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. Oh, hallelujah. Go to verse 13.
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us, as
many as are mature have this mind. And if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal
even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by
the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Self has a memory of its own. It loves to promote
wicked pleasures of the past. Because it doesn’t want to lose control. Does everybody
understand that? I’m going to repeat this. Self has a memory of its own. It loves to promote
wicked pleasures of the past. Because it doesn’t want to lose control. It fights for control.
See, so how many times have you tried to get rid of that devil and it just didn’t go— and you
are still struggling. Because it wasn’t the devil— it was you. It was the old you. Not the new
you. Now listen, here’s the fourth key. We must sever every past emotion and accept you
are a new creation. And relinquish control of your life. You must sever every past emotion.
The fourth key is to sever every past emotion and accept that you are a new creation. People
are still fighting— Not fully— Do you know how many people really do not accept that they
are a full new creation? Many. They still think that they have to do other things. You know
why? Because they become “man pleasers.” Those are called self-pleasers— instead of God
pleasers. And we must relinquish control of our life. Luke 21:34. But take heed to
yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this
life, and that day come on you unexpectedly. What did he say? It’s very powerful. But take
heed to yourselves lest your heart be weighed down. Let me share something with you. The
fifth key that we must do is to pray or worship until there is a heart change. You must pray or
worship until there is a heart change. Philippians 4. Oh, hallelujah. Philippians 4:6, 7. Be
anxious for what? Oooo – nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes
all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Reason and
justification. Whew! But what about me!!! Hey we were casting out devils out of a person
one night. I mean we probably cast 15 or 20 demons out of this person. Finally this one devil
came up and said “But where will I go? What about me? I’m not hurting anybody.” I’m
telling you this thing was talking to me. I went, Whoa! I almost felt sorry for it. [Lots of
laughter.] And then I came to my senses!! The Holy Ghost elbowed me, What are you
doing?!! [More laughter.] Oh yeah, Come out, in the name of Jesus!! [Laughter.] You know I’m
going, Come out! And I was casting all these devils out and then the next person started
casting devils out and then I came back and cast devils out— man this thing was boasting
about murdering 30 generations of this person’s family and all kinds of stuff — this person
was a Jew— man we’re casting— and this person’s heaving in this garbage bucket we had
there. I was only a few weeks old in Christ. I was having a good time! Man this stuff is real!!
Come on out!! YES!!! We’ve got power and authority!! Hallelujah!!! Then that one little
demon came up, Where will I go? Oooo I don’t know? Where will you go? [Lots of laughter!] I
think we can find a place for you in the dog house. I should have said, Why don’t you go to
the pigs! I probably didn’t know that scripture then. The Holy Ghost elbowed me, Yo– what
are you doing?! Come out. Hallelujah. They are probably still laughing about the stuff I’ve
done, I’m telling you. Hallelujah. Be anxious for nothing. Hello. You know, self can’t wait.
Self can’t wait. Man— I could go on for days talking about some of this stuff I’m telling you—
but I’m going to make it brief. The prodical son. The two sons. Right, now check this out.
The one son had an inheritance— they both had an inheritance. But the one said I want it
NOW!!! And what did he do? He went out and blew it. Let me share something with you.
Your inheritance that’s from your God, your Father— let me share with you— is dangerous if
you try and get it in the natural setting— in the carnal setting. It is dangerous to you! The
only way that that your inheritance will work on your behalf is if you are in the Spirit. But it
will work against you if you are in the flesh. Yes we have promises, we have an inheritance—
People claim and decree and all this stuff. But let me tell you, if you are in the flesh your
inheritance will hurt you. It will destroy you unless you are in the Spirit. Because you are not
dealing with something from man, you are dealing with something from God. And remember
he does not associate with self. See the prodigal son wanted his inheritance for self. He blew
it on gambling, and boozing and prostitution and everything else. And it destroyed him. It
destroyed him. His father tried to counsel him, didn’t he. But he rejected the counsel.
Because self could not wait! Because it is a promoter of self. I WANT! I’VE GOT!! Amen? It
cannot wait! Oh, hallelujah. Self rejects counsel. I want to share something very important
with you. The sixth key that we must do is seek counsel. Amen? We must seek counsel.
Proverbs 11. Oh, HALLELUJAH! Proverbs 11. Help, help. In verse 14, would you read it with
me. Where there is no counsel the people what? Fall. Oh, hallelujah. Where there is no
counsel, people fall! Why? Because self— the promoter of self, which associates with pride
— and it says pride comes before a fall. Do you all see how it’s connected? Where there is
no counsel, the people fall. But in a multitude of counselors there is safety. Go to Psalm 1.
Look at this Psalm 1:1. Oh, hallelujah. The sixth key is to seek counsel! Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly— In other words, the ungodly counsel is the
counsel of self. It’s amazing how many people go to the secular arena to get counsel. They
are believers! And they go get counsel from people that are backslidden! It blows my mind!!
They get counsel from someone because they have money or they are being blessed
financially or whatever— and they think God is blessing them when they are being self-
blessed. But they are out of God’s will. Out of their destiny. And they go seek counsel—
that’s ungodly counsel. And it says blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the
ungodly, so cursed is the man who does. Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the
seat of the scornful. Like I said, self cannot wait! Self rejects counsel to promote self. Now
why do we seek counsel? So that we can expose self-will. Does everybody understand that?
Why do we seek counsel? To expose self-will. Go to Proverbs 1. Hallelujah. Proverbs 1:28.
Would you read it with me? Is everybody there? Then they will call on me, but I will not
answer; they shall seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated
knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD. They would none of my counsel and
despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled
to the full with their own fantasies. Isn’t that wild. For the turning away of the simple will
slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens to me will
dwell safely, and will be secure without fear of evil. It’s amazing in how people will reject
counsel. And then when the counsel is given, they think that it is just given from a man—
they are looking at a man because they can’t see the things in the Spirit and they reject it.
They hear it, they know it, and say no I just don’t agree with it. But what they have not
agreed with was the counsel of the Lord and not the person. And their end is folly. They will
fall. They will manifest. Because you cannot reject the counsel of the Lord and get away with
it. It just doesn’t work that way. Oh, hallelujah. Now I want to share something with you—
they have a form of godliness but no submission. They will fall. Look at verse 7 for a second.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and what?
Instruction. He calls them a fool. You know why this happens? Because they have no solid
root. They have been trying to fake it until they make it but they haven’t made it. Self still
runs the life. Go to Matthew 13:20. Are you getting this tonight? It is so important, I’m
telling you, in this time. I know for some of us this is like, Whoa too much for me! But you
will get it. I guarantee you, you’ll get it. I know it’s a lot. I know we are a little over. Hang in
there. In verse 20, would you read it with me. But he who received seed on stony places,—
stony places are not fertile places. Amen? That’s stony. That’s something that is not right
yet. It’s not been fertile— you know when you try and plant seed somewhere and it’s not
cleaned up. There’s still stone. There’s still rebellion there. It’s a stony heart. There’s still—
you know there are pieces of it. There’s still stuff of “me, myself and I.” There’s still all of
that stuff of “my will,” you know. And he says, But he who received the seed on stony places,
is he that hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it— Oh, hallelujah. Praise God.
You know— hey listen, I love when people are amen’in and stuff like that, but when God
reveals something to me and an individual is out there amen’in and amen’in and amen’in and
I know that I know that it is not— nothing but baloney. I know it. Man and it disturbs my
Spirit and I go, What do you want me to say? And he goes, Nothing. Then I have to beat my
flesh down. Especially when you know things about an individual— that God reveals to you.
But let me tell you he doesn’t reveal these things to just everybody to blast it. You know
what I’m saying. Stony ground. Praise God. Now listen, But he who received the seed on
stony places, is he that hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy— Amen!
Hallelujah! Praise God!! —Yet he has no root in himself— Amen? —but endures for a while:
for when tribulation or persecution rises because of the word, immediately he what?
Stumbles. Because he does not have a solid connection. Does everybody get that? He
doesn’t have a solid connection. He amens and everything else when things are— because
when we’re together in fellowship, you get it. But because that connection is not solid, BAM
that person falls. Because self is still running its life. He has not learned how to crucify
himself. No solid connection! Wavers. Is movable. Easily offended! Did you ever get
around someone that’s easily offended? Do you know why? Self is alive! Self is alive! You
know you have to be careful how you say stuff to this person because they easily get
offended. Well you know what their offense is? Anger. What’s anger do? It protects pride.
What’s pride do? Protects self. Why? So here they are getting easily offended. They can’t
receive counsel, correction or direction. You try and tell them something— You try and share
something with them, in love or whatever— or you make a suggestion by the Spirit— Man, I
just don’t— I can’t receive that! That’s just not for me. They are easily offended. Why?
Self!! They do not have a solid connection and self is still running its life. Easily offended
individuals. Oh, hallelujah! The seventh one! Oh, hallelujah! The seventh key— seven
means complete and perfect. Whew!! I Corinthians 9:27. But I discipline my body and bring
it into subjection: lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become what?
Disqualified. Disciplining yourself!!!! In other words— discipline yourself. Did you ever spank
a little baby? I mean your child. I’m not talking about an infant. That’s disciplining, isn’t it.
Well you must discipline yourself. Give it a Holy Ghost kick in the head sometimes. You must
discipline yourself. That’s what he’s talking— does everybody understand that?!!! Discipline
yourself!!! DISCIPLINE it! That’s where the bible says casting down all thoughts, right.
Thoughts, imaginations that are coming against the knowledge of God. And doing that and
disciplining it - or destroying it, when your obedience is fulfilled. Why? Because you’re
disciplining. We must discipline self. Amen? Discipline self. Discipline yourself. Paul was
talking— I discipline my body. Right? Well he’s talking about flesh. I discipline my self. Oh,
hallelujah. Sometimes you have to force feed yourself. And what I’m talking about is— it
may not feel good and whatever but you have to get that word out, you’ve got to put a
teaching tape in and force feed yourself. That’s called disciplining yourself. Be quiet!! That’s
it, time out! Make yourself sit on that chair, shut up and listen to the word. Come on, you
can hear yourself going— raw, raw, raw, raw [Pastor does sound effects]— grumbling and
complaining and all kinds of other stuff. Shut up!! Get behind me devil! And you’re talking
to the devil and it’s actually you! Oh, hallelujah. The bible says in Romans 13:14, But put on
Christ! Put on Christ! It’s our responsibility to put on Christ! Why? So his fruits can be
manifested. Look at Galatians 5, these are the fruits. Hallelujah. Galatians 5. I’m going to
go a little faster, if you don’t mind. Verse 22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such there is
no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified self (or the flesh) with its passions and
desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited,
provoking one another, envying one another. We are to put on Christ and let the fruits be
manifested. Is everyone with me? Go to 1 Peter 5. I’m going to skip a bunch of stuff here so
we can go home. I Peter 5, I think everyone got it. Amen? I Peter 5. Discipline yourself.
How do you discipline yourself? Well, you put on Christ. One of the things that you want to
do is make yourself Humble! Eat humble pie. In verse 5, Likewise, you younger, submit
yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with what?
Humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble
yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting your
cares upon him; for he cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,
walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour. Oh, hallelujah. Go to chapter 4
here. Starting at verse 1. This is powerful. It says, Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in
the flesh, arm yourselves also with this same mind: for he who has suffered in the flesh has
ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of
men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our lifetime in doing the will of self
— Hello — when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking, parties,
abominable idolatries, drugs, sex and rock and roll. In regard to these, they think it strange
that you don’t do those anymore. And then they speak evil of you. What are they trying to
do? Promote your self. They will give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and
the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those that are dead, that they
might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit. Now I
want to close at Romans 8. Oh, hallelujah. In verse 12. Discipline yourself. Make yourself do
it! Is everybody there? Romans 8:12. Everybody read this with me. Therefore, brethren, we
are debtors, not to the flesh [or to self], to live according to the flesh [or to self]. For if you
live according to the flesh, you will what? Die: but if you by the Spirit put to death the deeds
of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of
God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received
the Spirit of adoption, by where we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bears witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs
with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. And to God
be the glory!!! Amen? Everybody okay? Did you get it? Praise be to God. Victory over self -
seven keys, quickly. I want to just run over them one more time. Seven keys. The first one
is sanctification. The second one is revelation and realization that you don’t own anything.
The third one is to take time to examine or expose. Amen? The fourth one is to sever past
emotions and to accept that you are a new creation relinquishing control of your life. The
fifth one is that you must pray or worship until there is a heart change. The sixth one is to
seek counsel and the seventh one is to discipline yourself. Victory over self. Amen? Father
we thank you for your word, we are honored and blessed. I plead the blood of Jesus over this
seed that it will grow and bear fruit for your glory, that you will protect it from the evil one
and that you will turn that area where there is a stony place into fertile ground that the seed
may grow and bear root that there be a solid connection into you. In Jesus’ name. And
everybody said? AMEN!! God Bless.
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