Learn to think on the things of God—what His Word says about you and your situation. Refuse to allow thoughts of sin or defeat of any kind in your life. Live alive unto God listening to and responding to the Word of God and the Spirit of God. When you replace the devil’s words with God’s Word, you can continually live in the blessing and favor of God.

Look at what Proverbs says wisdom (His Word) will do in our lives:

1. Life, healing and health. “For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:22, The Amplified Bible).

2. Length of days and years of life worth living. “For length of days, and years of a life [worth living], and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you” (Proverbs 3:2, The Amplified Bible).

3. Favor and understanding. “So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:4).

4. Guidance. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6).

5. Abundance. “Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10).

6. Riches and honor. “Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour” (Proverbs 3:16).

7. Happiness. “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding” (Proverbs 3:13).

8. Peace. “For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee” (Proverbs 3:2).

9. Security—you shall not be afraid. “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken” (Proverbs 3:25-26).

10. Gracefulness, beauty and glory. “She shall give to your head a wreath of gracefulness; a crown of beauty and glory will she deliver to you” (Proverbs 4:9, The Amplified Bible).

Then these benefits will belong to us according to God’s Word. God doesn’t intend for us to live like the world and then pray to receive a miracle when we get into trouble. Thank God, He will deliver us when we get into trouble, but we are called to live so much higher than that—as high as the heavens are above the earth. If we’ll place our lives in God’s hands, obey Him and begin to live that holy life, most problems will be avoided. For example, it’s wonderful to receive a miracle when you’re sick, but it’s better to walk with God and live in divine health and stay well (Proverbs 4:20-22).

By choosing to live as a born-again believer, and by spending time fellowshiping with God in His Word and in prayer, you are choosing to open up your spirit to Him so that you can walk responsive to His Spirit—that you stay ALIVE unto God.

As you walk alive unto God, the Holy Spirit will tell you what adjustments are necessary to make you pure and holy like your heavenly Father.

So, choose life. Choose the Word—and watch the blessings overtake you.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

When temptation (solicitation to evil) comes, you have the power, authority and privilege to say, “No! I’m crucified to that. I rebuke that thought in Jesus’ Name.” You are resisting the devil (James 4:7). This scripture says to submit yourselves to God and resist the devil. When you’re being obedient, you are submitting to God. Satan will flee. Peter says to resist the devil steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:9). He describes the devil as our adversary going around (masquerading) as a roaring lion looking for someone who will let him have place in their lives. Well, keep moving devil, I’m not the one! The Bible says give the devil no place (Ephesians 4:27). Take action immediately against temptation.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).

Don’t allow disobedient, immoral or wrong thoughts to linger in your mind. Immediately replace thoughts of disobedience, immorality, doubt, defeat, discouragement or fear with the Word of God.

Control your thought life with the Word of God and let Philippians 4:4-8 be fulfilled continually in your life.

Rejoice in the Lord always—delight, gladden yourselves in Him; again I say, Rejoice! Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness—your considerateness, your forbearing spirit. The Lord is near—He is coming soon. Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition [definite requests] with thanksgiving continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding, shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things—fix your minds on them (Philippians 4:4-8, The Amplified Bible).

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Ephesians 5:25-27 tells us that Jesus the Anointed gave Himself to sanctify (set apart) and cleanse the Church with the washing of water by the Word. (The Holy Spirit washes us with His Word.) He does this to present to Himself a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish. Ephesians 1:4 adds that He chose us before the foundation of the world to stand before Him holy and without blame in love. First Thessalonians 3:13 says our hearts are to be established in this holiness. First Thessalonians 4:7 says we are called unto holiness.

First Peter 1:15-16 says, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (New International Version). Ephesians 5:1 says, “Therefore be imitators of God—copy Him and follow His example—as well-beloved children [imitate their father]” (The Amplified Bible).

The Bible ties the manifestation of God with our walking in holiness. Hebrews 12:14 says we are to follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Romans 3:23 lets us know that sin brings us short of the glory—which is His manifested presence.

God wants His people to live a holy life because holiness is the only thing that will enjoy victory in the earth. God wants His people to live like He lives, being a total success. Holiness will bring life and peace to us.

We do as God says because His ways are our only deliverance while we live in the earth. The earth is not dominated by God’s will unless the Church walks in its authority to proclaim what God says. (Do you wonder about that? Let me ask you this. Were the Dark Ages God’s will? No, the earth experienced that time of darkness because the Church became, for the most part, inactive and ruled by religious tradition instead of the Word of God.)

We resist sin by the power of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. If we do not resist, we will be swept into misery right along with the world. We will be victims of Satan’s attempts to kill, steal and destroy.

Learn to speak Galatians 2:20-21 to keep your body obedient: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God….” I do not frustrate the grace (divine favor and blessings) of God. Sin frustrates God’s grace because it hinders His favor from working in your life.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

…even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:19-23).

We have been made free from sin so that we can yield our bodies to God as servants of God in holiness.

We are to yield our bodies to righteousness unto holiness. Ephesians 4:24 says we are to put on this new man who after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Holy means pure; separated unto God for divine purpose and use. Hebrews 12:10 tells us that we are to be partakers of His holiness. First Corinthians 3:16-17 tells us we are the temple of the Spirit of God, that to defile it causes destruction, and that the temple which we are is holy.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 7:1).

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

A few years ago during my prayer time, the Lord dealt with me about resurrection. It means “rising from the dead or coming back to life; coming back into notice, practice, use, a restoration or revival; the state of having risen from the dead.”

There is coming a resurrection of our physical bodies—at the time of the catching away of the Church. But the greatest resurrection we’ll ever know, we’ve already experienced. It occurred the moment we passed from spiritual death into spiritual life—when we were born again. That was the only death you—the real you, the spirit—will ever experience. Glory to God!

Our spirit man was raised up in eternal life. The primary part of us is not the physical body. We are a spirit being. It is the spirit that gives life to the body (James 2:26). The body is just the earthly house in which we live. When we (our spirits) leave our bodies, these bodies will die and decay, but we will be present with the Lord. One moment we are in our bodies, the next moment we are in the glory! “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24).

Now we are to put on this new man. Read carefully how we are to live this new life.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:1-17, New International Version).

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

We cannot walk in newness of life by giving ourselves a set of rules and regulations. We do not walk in newness of life just by telling the Church, “Don’t do this. Don’t do that.” We walk in newness of life by the Holy Spirit as He teaches us how to walk in God’s way. The Holy Spirit teaches us a better way to live—a way that works.

We who are born of God are a strange species of being! We are supernatural spirits living in natural bodies. We are alive in the spirit, yet live in a body of flesh that’s subject to death. We can operate in the spiritual realm and in the natural realm. We have to learn to function in both realms in God’s higher ways with this new creation in control of our flesh.

We are to know according to Romans 6:6 that the old man of sin is crucified with Him that we should no longer serve sin. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24-25). (I capitalized Spirit because the King James Version does, but in the original Greek there are no capitals. The capital letters are there at the privilege of the translators. I believe this whole context of scripture is speaking about our flesh and our spirit—walking after the new reborn spirit instead of the flesh.)

We have to keep that body crucified. Paul said, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27). In this portion of scripture he is speaking of running the race and obtaining the prize. You won’t finish the race God has set before you without keeping your body in obedience to your spirit.

When we became Christians, our old man died and we were born again. We became a new man in Christ Jesus. Just as He died and was raised from death, when we were dead in trespasses and sin He raised us up from spiritual death into eternal life. Our spirit man was raised from death into life when we made Jesus the Lord over our lives.

God did not merely allow that new nature to creep into us little by little. In one powerful moment, He removed the old nature—the heart that was full of sin and dead to Him. In one instant He replaced that old nature with the likeness of Himself.

We are born of Him. We have His nature. God lives inside us. We have received His life. We call it eternal life. It is the life of God, the substance of God Himself. We are literally His children.

As we read in Romans 6:4, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. Just as He was raised up by the glory of the Father, so we were raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father. We passed from death to life. And we should walk in the power of that resurrection life.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin
might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Romans 6:1-6).

We can walk in newness of life by the glory of the Father. This newness of life is our capacity and ability for obedience. We are not to walk like the world walks. We do not have to walk in death and defeat. We can walk in life and victory.

What is this newness of life? It is the life we received when we were born again—the life of God Himself.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

The Amplified Bible says a new creation! A new species of being that never existed before. Like a tree that never existed or a new mountain! We are not the same as we were. Now we are born of God, we have His nature and we have His Spirit. The same life God has in Himself, He imparts to us in the new birth. We don’t have to live like dead men any longer. We are alive to God. We are victorious because of the life of God that’s been imparted to us. Eternal life has already begun. We are not supposed to live according to the world’s way or according to the dictates of our natural bodies. We are to walk after the new man on the inside created in righteousness and true holiness in the image of God (Ephesians 4:24).

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

That means we stretch forward to the things in front of us. We bear down on the goal.

Paul was so intensely focused on pursuing the prize of his call in Christ that he would not allow himself to look anywhere but toward the goal. He ran, “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…” (Philippians 3:13).

Paul never stopped stretching. When he was imprisoned, he wrote most of the New Testament. How was he able to do this? Look at Acts 20:22-24:

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the
grace of God.

Paul could stretch toward the goal without distraction because he didn’t count his life dear to himself. He had found something worth giving his life for. One day while I was reading this scripture the Lord impressed me, Gloria, this is the key to your success spiritually. If you count your life dear unto yourself, you won’t finish your race.

Counting your life dear to yourself means that you’ve let the distractions of the age get hold of you. You concentrate on what you want and what you want to do—your happiness.

Jesus said if we would lose our lives for His sake, we would find them. That’s life worth living. There’s no peace in living like the world and going after things. But seek Him first and His righteousness, and all the other things will come to you.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

If there was ever a generation that needed to press in to the things of God, it’s our generation. I believe we are living in the last days. I believe Jesus is coming soon and that helps me to keep my life focused on Him.

In recent times, the Church has not given enough attention to Jesus’ soon return. The fact that He could come at any moment ought to be foremost in our hearts. We ought to preach it to people and share it.

The Scripture says our hope of His return purifies us (1 John 3:3). People wouldn’t pour so much energy into material things if they thought Jesus would be coming back in less than a decade. They wouldn’t be as carnal. They’d be pressing into the things of the Spirit and storing up heavenly rewards.

Now is our opportunity to do that! Our rewards, our rank, even our responsibilities in heaven will be determined by what we do here on earth. For a few brief years here, we have the opportunity to influence people around us—to let the character of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God flow out through us and reveal God to the world.

Just a few years and that opportunity will be gone. In the meantime, it’s worth living for…and dying for. It’s worth whatever sacrifices we have to make.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries

What does it take to be a winner? Everyone wants to know the answer to that question. We all want to win. But when it comes right down to it, few of us are willing to pay the price.

One day I heard an Olympic athlete describe how hard she had worked for the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games. She was telling what it took for her to win the gold medal.

Olympic athletes don’t just wake up one morning and say, “Hey! I think I’ll be in the Olympics today.” They train for years to get there. Some of them train most of their lives.

They get out of bed every morning to run. They run in the cold. They run in the rain. They run no matter what—whether they want to or not. This woman said there were times when she pushed herself so hard she became physically ill. But even then, she refused to stop running.

That woman was determined to win. She had decided years earlier she was going to go for a gold medal—no matter what the cost. She was stretching and straining to win it, pushing forward with the kind of force that moves every obstacle out of the way.

That kind of force is what it takes to be a winner—not just physically but also spiritually. Jesus said this in Matthew 11:12, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

In this verse, Jesus wasn’t talking about going to heaven. He was talking about taking hold of the kingdom of God on this earth—actually possessing the promised blessings like healing, prosperity and peace.

You can have those kingdom blessings now. But it’s not easy—you have to take them by force.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries