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There are those persons who will become ensnared by questionable practices and projects because they do not wish to lose the approval or praise of someone with whom they are infatuated, or because they can be good for business. Failure to deal with the sinful nature's selfish craving for esteem and applause can produce self-deception and disastrous consequences. The Spirit of Jesus in you will seek only the approval and praise of God and the Scriptures. The stamp of approval of the religious leadership did not mean anything to Jesus - what concerned Him was the praise and approval of God the Father. (John 5:41-42 TLB )
The love of worldly honours and human applause becomes tools that replace God; a love that excludes love for God (Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 6:5 ) because love of self is put on the heart's throne. Such are so busy honouring each other that there is no concern for the Lord or the real honour that comes from Him alone (John 5:44 ).
Mark well this principle of the seeking the Father's glory - make it your ambition for your life and business. Develop sensitivity to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Question aspects of your business practices in prayer, you may want to ask the Lord, "Do You endorse my product? My profit margin? My sales methods? Do I show Your character in my relationships with those whom I employ?" Whether you ask questions or not, the time spent in intimate worship will reveal if you have allowed something to come between you and the Lord. The Spirit within you will convince you that there is nothing of greater value than an unclouded relationship with your Lord.
It takes the yieldedness of reception to avail yourself of the help of the Holy Spirit. There is no lack of liberality in God the Spirit (James 1:5 ). But reception requires asking. Your asking will not be in vain nor will you be reproached for asking.
WHAT KIND OF WISDOM WILL THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVE?It will be the spiritual capacity to see and evaluate life and conduct from God's point of view. It will be wisdom to make the right choices and to do the right things according to God's will and Word. You can expect the Spirit's direct leading (Romans 8:14 ) in response to your asking and receiving.
WHAT KIND OF POWER WILL THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVE?There will be no lack of power for service (Acts 1:8 ). The Lord said the Spirit baptism would be that of "power". The word used is ‘dunamis'. This word supplies the root of English words in familiar use, dynamic, dynamism, dynamo, and dynamite. This personal power that comes into our lives from the fullness of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, is His own inherent strength, ability and might in and through you. Effective witness to the risen, glorified Lord is the continuing result, and lives that bring Him glory no matter where they live and work, including the business world. The power He shares with you will always prove abundantly sufficient. The business world greatly needs those with the power of the Holy Spirit to witness unashamedly to the power of the gospel in business (Romans 1:16 ).
Reception of Holy Spirit help is shown by grateful acceptance of your natural and spiritual gifts. You must recognise that your natural endowments and spiritual gifts are from God. They are not the basis for superiority, status and pride. "What are you puffed up about? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why act as though you are so great, and as though you have accomplished something on your own?" (1 Corinthians 4:7 TLB ).
All you are, and have become, you owe to divine gift. Every opportunity or development, every relationship that influenced and assisted you, the Lord made possible. Your response should be humble thankfulness with determination to be your best for Him. It is important not to ignore the special abilities with which you have been endowed, His intention is that you use them for His glory.
Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. "
We are obligated to use our gifts. When we occupy ourselves in what God has suited us for, we will experience the power of the Holy Spirit. We should keep from involvement in business for which we have no talent. Success is found in doing what our hand finds it has ability to do (1 Corinthians 10:31 ).
Faith pleases God and it is by faith you obtain the promises (Hebrews 11:6 ). A personal, dynamic life-transforming relationship with the Holy Spirit is impossible without faith in His committed working with you and promises of abiding with you and of manifestations of Himself through you. Your response of faith will be evident in your confident commitment of life and business into His control on a daily basis. "Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him to help you do it and He will." (Psalm 37:5 TLB ). Such commitment is a delight - when you cultivate communion, and intimacy, you get understanding of the Spirit's activities, and sensitivity to His caring.
Faith is a repeatable action of commitment. It is loving trust of everything you have and are, to Him, your life, family, possessions, position, believing that He can care for you and yours better than you could ever hope to do. The Holy Spirit loves to be trusted. He is faithful with all that you commit to Him. You will never be ashamed, rather you can be fully persuaded that His direction of what you are involved in will count for praise at the Lord's return (2 Timothy 1:12 ).
The Holy Spirit works for the Lord's purposes for your business to be realised, and to make you discontented with anything less than living your whole life to glorify Jesus. Abiding in Christ through the Holy Spirit is the secret of being in accord with His nature and His Word, so that you would ask for the things He would ask for your business, and get what you desire (John 15:7 ).
Collaborating with the Spirit's prophetic promises (1 Timothy 1:18 ), you can pull down the strongholds of Satan that oppose the effectiveness of your business for God.
Do you need to re-adjust your understanding of what it means to receive His involvement? What changes are you convinced you need to make? Do you have a true understanding of your natural and spiritual gifts? What promises have you received relative to your business? Do you welcome the involvement of the Spirit in all your activities?
