As a young believer, I was dedicated to living a healthy lifestyle. I spent hours at the gym, carefully planned my meals, and made sure to get enough rest each night.
However, despite my outward efforts, I always felt like something was missing on the inside.
One day, as I was reading the Bible, the words from 1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) leaped off the page:
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
biblegateway.com
It was then that I realized I had been neglecting the spiritual aspect of my life – the inner man.
I noticed the signs of a weak inner man in me. I found myself struggling to resist temptation, lacking the power to share my faith with others, and feeling disconnected from God during prayer and Bible study.
It was as if I was simply going through the motions, without any genuine connection to the Lord.
Determined to strengthen my spiritual life, I turned to Ephesians 3:16, where the Apostle Paul prayed for believers to be “strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.”
I realized that true inner strength could only come from the Holy Spirit’s work within me.
With a renewed sense of purpose, I embarked on a journey to nurture my inner man, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of fellow believers.
Through this process, I discovered 5 practical steps to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and experience the inner transformation I had been longing for.
1. Feed on God’s Word
Ephesians 3:16 (KJV) says that you are strengthened in the inner man when you allow Christ to live in your heart by faith.
“14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—”
Ephesians 3:14–18 (NKJV)
biblegateway.com
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17 NKJV). As you read the Bible, you allow the truth of Christ to penetrate your innermost being and personality.
The Word of God will renew your mind and transform you. The Bible compares scripture to food that nourishes your spirit man:
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)
biblegateway.com
“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”
1 Peter 2:2 (NKJV)
biblegateway.com
Just as healthy foods promote physical strength, God’s Word brings vitality to the inner man.
Here are some practical tips for feeding on the Word:
- Read the Bible daily: set aside time to read Scripture. Start with small, achievable goals.
- Meditate on verses: don’t just rush through your reading; pause to reflect and think about what you’re reading.
- Study with focus: get a deeper understanding of the Word of God by using study Bibles, commentaries, sermons, etc.
- Memorize key verses: store foundational Scriptures in your mind and heart.
- Apply the Word: obey what you read in the Bible; don’t just gain information. Allow the Scriptures to shape your life.
As you regularly feed your spirit with the Bread of Life, God’s Word, you’ll gain spiritual strength in your inner man.
2. Nurture a Life of Prayer
Prayer goes hand in hand with God’s Word in strengthening the inner man.
In Ephesians 3:16, Paul prays that believers would be strengthened with power through the Spirit. Your heartfelt prayers will release the Spirit’s empowering work in your inner man.
Through prayer, you’ll experience intimate communion with God. Your inner man will be renewed as you bask in His presence.
You’ll also gain spiritual power as you call upon the Lord in prayer.
Romans 7:22 (NIV) says:
“For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;”
biblegateway.com
Prayerful meditation on Scripture causes God’s Word to delight your inward parts.
Here are some suggestions for developing a strong prayer life:
- Pray continuously: develop the habit of conversing with God throughout your day.
- Daily quiet time: set aside time to read the Word and pray every day.
- Pray God’s Word: speak Scripture back to the Lord to align your heart with His.
- Listen: make time to be still in God’s presence and allow Him to speak to you.
- Pray with others: join with other believers to pray together to God.
As you devote yourself to consistent prayer, your inner man will be renewed and strengthened.
Charles Spurgeon said:
“Prayer pulls the rope below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God.”
Keep pulling the rope in prayer!
3. Walk in the Holy Spirit
The strengthening Paul describes in Ephesians 3:16 comes specifically through the Holy Spirit. It is His mighty power that energizes you inwardly.
Your part is to walk in, be filled with, and be led by the Spirit each day. As you yield control of your life to Him, the Spirit will produce spiritual fruit in your inner man.
“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit”
Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV)
biblegateway.com
The Holy Spirit will also lead you into truth through the Scriptures. Jesus said the Spirit of truth will guide us in all truth, taking what is Christ’s and revealing it to us (John 16:13-15 NKJV).
As you follow His leading, your inner man will be strengthened. Here are some ways you can walk in the power of the Holy Spirit daily:
- Begin each morning by surrendering control of your life to the Holy Spirit.
- Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and nudges.
- Obey as He guides you into truth and righteous living.
- Yield your mind and thoughts over to Him.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to empower your words and actions.
By walking in step with the Holy Spirit, your inner man will be revived and energized. You will experience the abundant Christian life (John 10:10 NKJV).
4. Fellowship with Other Believers
Another essential for strengthening the inner man is Christian fellowship. You will grow spiritually as you share and live out your faith together with other believers.
Their encouragement strengthens you to live wholeheartedly for Christ. You will gain wisdom through the sharing of Scriptures and their prayers will strengthen you.
Proverbs 27:17 (AMP) says:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].”
biblegateway.com
The New Testament believers had a close-knit fellowship that promoted spiritual growth:
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Acts 2:42 (NKJV)
biblegateway.com
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20 (NKJV)
biblegateway.com
Here are some ways to experience strengthening through fellowship:
- Attend church regularly for worship, teaching, and fellowship.
- Join a small group Bible study for relationship, accountability, and prayer.
- Meet periodically with a spiritual mentor or godly friend.
- Find a prayer partner to regularly pray together to God.
- Serve with other believers in the church.
Don’t neglect the blessing of Christian fellowship. It renews the inner man through joint prayer, mutual faith, and the working of Christ’s Spirit in your midst.
5. Resist the World’s Influence
While you may want to be involved in society, as a believer, you must resist the sinful value system of this world.
If you allow your mind to conform to the world’s way of thinking your inner man will be weakened instead of being strengthened.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV) urges us:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
biblegateway.com
Here are some practical ways you can resist the world’s influence:
- Be aware of how entertainment and media affect your attitude and thinking. Set standards for what you will listen to and watch.
- Limit the time you spend on social media if it stirs covetousness or immoral thoughts.
- Be careful of the company you keep. Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33 NLT).
- Ask the Holy Spirit to sensitize your conscience against sin and compromise.
- Renew your mind daily in God’s Word – don’t just adopt the world’s mindset (Romans 12:2 NLT).
- Pray for moral courage to take a stand for righteousness and truth.
As you resist getting squeezed into the world’s mold, your mind, and inner man will be strengthened and freed to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
Key Takeaways on Strengthening the Inner Man
- The inner man refers to your spiritual side that needs to be strengthened.
- Feed on God’s Word to renew and transform the inner man.
- A life of prayer pursues intimate communion with God that revives your inner man.
- By walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, you will be energized inwardly.
- Christian fellowship promotes growth as we share and live out our faith together.
- Resisting worldly influences helps to strengthen your inner man to obey Christ.
- Consistent spiritual disciplines are required for building up your inward man.
- The result is a vibrant walk with Jesus that overflows into every area of your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the inner man/inward man?
A: The inner man (or inward man) refers to the spiritual part of us—our soul and spirit—as contrasted with the outer physical body. It is the part of our being that can commune with God and that needs to be strengthened.
Q: How do I know if my inner man is weak?
A: Signs of a weak inner man include: the struggle to resist temptation, lack of spiritual power in ministry, difficulty persisting in prayer, the Word of God seems dry or ineffective, and being strongly influenced by worldly values.
Q: I’m too busy to read the Bible and pray every day. How can I still strengthen my inner man?
A: Spiritual disciplines like scripture reading and prayer are crucial for building up the inner man. Without them, your inner man will be malnourished and weak.
Purpose to make time with God a priority right where you are. Start small with 10-15 minutes a day and this will help strengthen your spirit.
Q: How long does it take to strengthen the inner man?
A: There is no quick fix to strengthening the inner man. It requires consistency in applying spiritual disciplines to see lasting growth.
Different believers will progress at different paces. The key is to stay faithful over time to God’s Word, prayer, the Spirit’s leading, and Christian fellowship.
Q: Can my inner man be harmed or damaged?
A: Yes, sinful choices and persistent worldly influence can defile your inner man. Wrong associations and ungodly media weaken your spirit man.
Addictions and secret vices also weaken your inward man. But the good news is God can restore and renew your inner self when you repent and walk with Him consistently.
