Kenneth Copeland Ministries: Pursuit Of His PresenceSample

Practice Righteousness

by Gloria Copeland

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14

Whatever your body is exposed to, that’s what it will practice. It can practice righteousness just as easily as it can practice unrighteousness. Read on and I’ll prove it.

If you’ve ever smoked a cigarette, the first time you smoked, you probably got sick. You probably coughed and spit and carried on, because it’s unnatural to put smoke inside your lungs. You had to learn how to do that. You had to practice until you could handle smoke in your lungs.

Does that make any sense? No. But, it seemed absolutely sensible to you when you were in darkness.

“I’ve got to learn how to get this smoke in my lungs so it will cut my life short and I can’t breathe well.”

Now, that’s nonsense. But it made sense when you walked over there in darkness, before you were born again.

When you took your first slug of whiskey—I imagine it just about got you good. It was hard to swallow, particularly if you drank it straight. You had to learn how by repeating the procedure.

Well, that’s exactly what happens to you in walking right before God. You learn by practice.

When you first start out, you might say to yourself, I’m not going to smoke anymore. And you’ll start on your road and maybe you’ll fail. Maybe you’ll smoke. Ken quit smoking a lot of times. And so did I. But, one day, we quit for good.

If you mess up, what do you do? You repent and say, “Lord, I’m hanging on to You. I’m putting this behind me. Help me to do this! I believe I’m delivered from it.” And you’ll come out of it.

God’s power will help you. It’s not just willpower. Your willpower is there to make the choice. But the power of God is what empowers you to stand for what you know God wants you to do.

Now, a person who isn’t born again doesn’t have the power of God because their spirit is dead and there is no life of God in them. Willpower is all they have, and most of the time not much of that.

But you have an anointing to crucify the flesh. Call upon it. Say, “Flesh, you are not going to rule here. You’re not going to have your way here. I’m serving God. I’m not going to do and practice the things that are displeasing to God. I’m going to practice righteousness!” Hallelujah!

Speak the Word

“I follow after righteousness and godliness, faith and love, and patience and meekness.” —1 Timothy 6:11

Need prayer? Call 817-852-6000. We’re here for you, 24/7!

Also, visit www.kcm.org/youversion to receive a free gift from Kenneth and Gloria Copeland.