EPHESIANS 3:16

“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self,”

I began walking again this summer. Why is that a big deal? Because I have pretty severe neuropathy in my feet. It can get painful at times, so I was hesitant to start walking again. I discovered something recently. The days I don’t walk my feet hurt worse. It seems the walking is stimulating the nerves in my feet in a positive way rather than causing more pain. Who would have thought that? I still have to be careful how I walk as I can trip easily since I can’t really feel my toes. But I am thankful my feet seem to be getting strengthened inwardly.

That fits our verse today. Paul explains to us that the Lord strengthens us “with power through His Spirit in the inner self.” I have never doubted that. Have you? The Greek word translated as “strengthened” is krataioó. It means “to prevail by God’s dominating strength, i.e. as His power prevails over opposition (gains mastery).” (HELPS Word studies. I was once told that when you see a Greek verb ending in “oo,” the emphasis is more about the result of the action rather than the action itself. The result of God’s prevailing power in our lives through the Holy Spirit is what Paul is talking about.

APPLICATION

In regards to the statement “in the inner man,” Albert Barnes says this, “The ‘body’ needs to be strengthened every day. In like manner the soul needs constant supplies of grace. Piety needs to be constantly invigorated, or it withers and decays. Every Christian needs grace given each day to enable him to bear trials, to resist temptation, to discharge his duty, to live a life of faith.” I need my daily Quiet Time. Without it, I wither on the vine. I need the daily nourishment.

In Romans 7:14-25, we read about Paul’s struggle with the inner man of flesh. Take a few minutes and read that passage. But we read this in verse 22, “For I joyfully agree with the law of God in the inner person,” Paul knew it was all about submission to God, to His Spirit. We can fight with our inner self and lose every time. Or we can submit our inner self to God and let His power strengthen us.

Paul also uses krataioó in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” God will strengthen us, but we must submit, we must be on the alert, we must stand firm in the faith. Let the Lord strengthen you today as you face those giants in your life. He may just put a sling and stones in your hand.

I know any power I have to defeat sin comes from You, O Lord.