PART 2
8. They Surrender to God Daily and Live a Repentant Lifestyle as They Walk Daily in Humility.
“Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15 NIV)
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:19-20 NKJV)
The word “repent” in the New Testament means to change one's mind or purpose for the better, to think differently about or reconsider what they are doing or what they have done. It does involve turning from sin, but most importantly, it means turning to God. It’s not about working one’s way into Heaven.
God desires to be the center of a person’s life. The Father longs for them to depend on Him to be their refuge, glory, and strength rather than some ‘Idol.’ Anything that keeps them from trusting Him exclusively He considers to be "other gods.” He is waiting for them to turn their heart away from these "other gods" and towards Him.
The reason a person should repent is that God wants to prove that He is a better refuge and strength than anyone or anything else. He is looking for people who will stop trusting earthly sources for filling their longings and desires. He is looking for people who will lean on and cling to no other but Him. He desires that they turn their affections towards Him and place their trust, confidence, security, and total dependence on Him and be satisfied with nothing else.
Repentance is a process of turning to God so people can receive His presence in trade for what they usually try to gain by dependence on earthly sources. Repentance makes it easier to turn and draw near to the Lord and deal with the many reasons that tend to hold them back from Him. It will take them from loving their earthly ways to loving God. It will also lead them to the place where earthly things become less and less attractive because the benefits of His presence far surpass anything this life has to offer.
To repent is to fully surrender and let Jesus live His life through you by accepting that there is nothing within you apart from Him that can make you acceptable. What truly matters is “whether we really have been changed into new and different people” (Galatians 6:15-16 NLT).
God has already forgiven all of their sins - past, present, and future - once and for all on the Cross. They appropriate it through repentance and putting their trust in God instead of in themselves. It is about trusting Him and believing that He has already forgiven them.
Repentance is not about following the ‘rules,’ doing good things, and not doing bad things.
“These are all destined to perish with use because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence” (Colossians 2:20-3:1 NIV).
Repentance is not how hard a person works at changing their behavior or feeling sorrow or regret because of sin. Repentance by regret over personal sins committed can lead to self-condemnation. Sorrow, “that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV).
Repentance by regret is "...the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement” and is “of no value against fleshly indulgence" (Colossians 2:23 NIV). Making oneself feel bad for what one did wrong is "self-made religion" because the pain that is felt seems to justify the wrongdoing.
The Cross is more powerful than one’s sin. No amount of feeling bad will ever make the payment or justify what a person has done wrong. Self-condemnation gives a false sense of goodness before God, "for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God" (James 1:20 NIV). The self-inflicted pain won’t absolve a person before God because "God is the one who justifies" (Romans 8:33b NIV).
Repentance towards God will result in good morals and ethical behavior. Still, a person can’t measure true repentance by the absence or presence of good morals and behavior because anything short of perfection is unacceptable to God. In other words, no matter how hard a person works at trying to live a truly “repentant” life by behaving well and living ‘morally,’ they can never live up to being perfect and acceptable to God. It is not about trying to prove one’s love to Him “but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:10 NLT).
9. They Walk Daily In Humility
Becoming a Born-Again Christian requires that a person humble themselves through repentance and accept the fact that they are a sinner and cannot save themselves. Humility is directly opposed to pride. The sin of pride is at the root of all evil (see Genesis 3:5; 1 Timothy 3:6; 1 John 2:15-17). Where pride seeks selfish gain, humility seeks selfless gain.
The greatest example of humility can be found in Jesus:
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:6-8 NIV)
Jesus set aside His divine glory to take the form of a servant. He voluntarily accepted temptation, suffering, and death to understand and identify with everyone.
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV)
It is the difference between independence and interdependence. Being independent means people do things their way. Interdependence means that people willingly choose to rely upon one another to survive.
Genuine Humility requires daily surrender to God by repenting of sin and laying down their will, desires, and plans so they can align themselves with God's purposes. When a Christian fully surrenders their life, they become a reflection of God's will, and the Holy Spirit Works powerfully through them.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NIV)
The clearest sign of the daily favor and Anointing is humility, which is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the most significant element of the daily Anointing. It is directly opposed to pride. Where pride seeks selfish gain, humility seeks selfless gain. True humility is rooted in reverence for God and esteem for others more greatly than yourself. It flows from recognizing who God is and who they are in relation to Him. It is not about thinking less of oneself; it is about thinking of oneself less and exalting God above all. It is a posture of the heart that acknowledges dependence on Him for every aspect of your life.
"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble….” (1 Peter 5:5b NIV)
This is inviting God to dwell within the person in a profound and intimate way. However, surrender is not always easy. It means letting go of control, even in areas where the person feels vulnerable. It might mean giving up a toxic relationship, releasing a dream that doesn't align with God's will, or walking away from sin that once held them captive. It is about saying, “Not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42 NIV).
The proof test that a person is naturally walking in God's Anointing and favor is letting go of the attachments of expectations, grudges, dreams, and even their closest relationships and instead trusting that God's way is higher than their own.
Asking for help is proof that a person is walking in humility because they have learned to love without conditions by accepting others fully, caring for them deeply, and wanting the best for them, irrespective of their flaws or shortcomings, expecting nothing in return. It is selfless, pure, and boundless and is not a sign of weakness but of strength, which shows they understand personal limitations and aren’t afraid to seek support when they need it.
Those who walk in humility are open to correction and willing to learn from others who they don’t blame for their mistakes and take responsibility for their actions. They have let go of grudges by forgiving others, which requires emotional humility, maturity, and a great deal of strength.
They develop important skills like empathy, understanding, and conflict resolution that build strong relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and even neighbors by being positive, supportive, and enriching.
They have embraced failure, learned to be resilient, and are able to bounce back from failures and challenges by adapting so they can keep moving forward as they learn, grow, and improve from their mistakes. They face their fears through humility, courage, determination, and strength.
God wants Christians to be driven by humility and brokenness. The church needs to understand that the work in ministry is not in what a person does but what God does through humble vessels. Those who humble themselves before God are exalted at the proper time because humility moves God.
People in ministry must come to a place where they know that their life was purchased at the Cross and doesn't belong to them; rather, they are slaves to God. The person who walks in humility before the Lord is willing to do what He requires no matter what. They are not driven by circumstance but by every Word that “comes out from the mouth of God” (See Matthew 4:4). Humility opens it up so everything from Heaven can flow through, but it is directed as the Holy Spirit leads. These people will walk in power because God gives grace to the humble.
- The Clothing of Humility
“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5a NIV)
The word “clothe” means to put on and gird one’s self with the apron of a servant. God wants every Christian to put on humility each day just as they put on their clothes. They don’t become humble; they put humility on. It is an active choice of the will. They must willingly choose to look out for the interests of others before their own.
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” (Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV)
When a person gets dressed each day, they make a deliberate and conscious effort. In the same way, they must clothe themselves "with humility toward one another." By doing so, they will learn obedience and submission.
A Christian who ministers by gifting apart from the daily Anointing of God is operating in pride. When they don’t clothe themselves with humility, God will resist and “oppose” them. The word “oppose” means to resist as a soldier dressed in full battle armor would set himself against an enemy.
God resists by not releasing “grace,” which allows favor in virtually everything they do. Prayers will go unanswered. Job promotions won’t come. They can even go through suffering. The Anointing on their spiritual life will seem empty and void. Their ministry will flounder. Relationships will be strained. They will be vulnerable to spiritual attack. They won’t be able to make ends meet. It will seem as if everything is going wrong because the enemy won’t flee from them no matter how hard they try to ‘bind’ and ‘rebuke’ him.
It is only through humility that a person can “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8 NIV). They must “set” their “mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God” for their words to be "heard” and God to respond to their prayers (Daniel 10:12 NIV).
When they acknowledge the pride of their heart through repentance and in their behavior, they humble themselves "like little children" and the Lord “will lift” them up (James 4:6-10 NIV).
"therefore humble yourselves, not only one to another, but to the great God, whose judgments are coming upon the world, and must begin at the house of God; his hand is almighty, and can easily pull you down if you be proud, or exalt you if you be humble; and he will certainly do it, either in this life, if he sees it best for you, or at the day of general retribution." (1 Peter 4:17 NIV)
The unholy trinity of me, myself, and I is their worst enemy. Pride is usually the cause of most dissension and disputes in the church. People get their feelings hurt because humans are a proud and arrogant people.
Humility is an acquired behavior resulting from the old nature being put to death and becoming a new creation in Christ Jesus.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
After teaching the disciples one day, Jesus was asked who would be the greatest in heaven. He called a child to His side and said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3-4 NIV).
10. They Let Go of Their Dreams, Desires, and Ambitions
Letting go is not about abandoning what is loved or desired, it is about releasing the tight grip we have on our own plans and yielding to God's greater purpose. It is a continual surrender when there is another challenge or moment where they are asked to let go again. True trusting-faith isn't shown in what is held but in what a person is willing to release for God's sake. Jesus taught this principle when He said “whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24 NIV).
Letting go is not easy, nor is it a sign of weakness but of strength. It is the act of surrendering control over one’s life, giving one's desires and future into God's hands, and knowing that His will is good even if it doesn't resemble one’s vision. It often means laying down dreams that have taken years to build. However, in doing so, freedom is found that cannot be gained by clinging to what was never meant to be theirs. Leaving behind their own will strengthened by the Peace of knowing that God's purpose will always be greater than any plan they could make for themselves.
11. They Have Discovered Forgiveness and Self-Acceptance
Self-acceptance is having reached a point where they accept themselves, flaws and all. This means they have moved past societal pressure and found contentment, stopped comparing themselves to others, and started celebrating who they are in Jesus. It is not just about feeling good in one’s skin. It is a key indicator of reaching a point of success where they accept themselves, flaws and all. It means they have moved past societal pressure and found contentment in who they are, stopped comparing themselves to others, and started celebrating their individuality.
There is increased sensitivity to sin. The things in life they once ignored or excused now weigh heavy on their heart. It isn’t about guilt; it is the Holy Spirit guiding them to live a holy life and a repentant lifestyle.
“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:13-17 NIV)
The Born-Again Christian naturally and habitually abides in Jesus and does the things that accompany salvation. The Bible tells us that “no one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God” who protects them and the “evil one does not touch them” (1 John 3:9, 5:18). Those who naturally and habitually obey the Word of God and “walk as Jesus did” do so because God's love is truly made complete” in them (1 John 2:5-6 NIV).
12. They Have a Pierced and Contrite Heart
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart -- These, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17 NKJV)
“For thus says the High and Lofty one Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isaiah 57:15 NKJV)
"But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.” (Isaiah 66:2 NKJV)
“Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed." (Luke 20:18 NIV)
Etymologically, the word “contrite” implies a breaking of something that has become hardened. To be contrite is to be broken, crushed, and pulverized into little pieces, setting one free from rebellion and resistance to God’s will. The Bible says that “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18 NIV)
Contrition is that humble spirit that says, I am nothing and He is everything. It is that inner brokenness that weeps over sin and sinners. This breaking doesn’t come about as a result of apologetic sorrow for a wrong committed or remorse of conscience, or fear of hell; it is experiencing the pain and sorrow of brokenness caused when you stand naked and exposed before the one “whose name is holy” and recognize it is He who has been grievously offended.
The Bible says that not only does God “live in a high and holy place,” but also with “him who is contrite and lowly in spirit.” Having a contrite heart means there is the absence of personal pride and the absolute exaltation of God and His will. It recognizes that one’s righteousness is “as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV). God promises to esteem the one who is humble and contrite in spirit and to revive their spirit and heart (see Isaiah 57:15).
Having a contrite heart does not come by force of will. It comes to the one that “trembles” and has a reverence for God’s Word (Isa 66:2). When you obey His Word, you prove you love Him.
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." (John 14:21 NIV)
When a person genuinely repents with a contrite heart, God “will cleanse’ them “from all” their “impurities and from all” their “idols.” He will give them a “new heart and put a new spirit in” them and “He will remove from” them a “heart of stone and give” them, “a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:25-27 NIV).
God desires that all people would “be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4 NIV). Salvation is conditional and comes about only “if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NIV).
God passionately wants people to convert and return to Him “with all” their “heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” (Joel 2:12-13 NIV).
13. They Encounter Spiritual Battles and have Divine Protection
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12 NIV)
Spiritual battles are a sign that the enemy sees God’s work in them as a threat.
“the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NIV)
People who are enslaved by sin or influenced by unclean spirits will often feel uneasy around them, even if they can't explain why. Those living in the shadows will either run toward the light or resist it with everything they have.
God’s presence disturbs other people's demons because their very existence disturbs the spiritual realm. This isn't about being disliked or misunderstood but about the Spirit of God within clashing with the darkness around them. It is a spiritual war and not a personal fight. The light of the Holy Spirit exposes the hidden things of darkness.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19 NIV)
God's protection actively works to preserve them physically and spiritually from dangers, both visible and invisible. Divine protection does not mean they won't encounter adversity, but it does mean it won't destroy them.
“no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17 NIV)
Carrying God's presence means walking in confidence, knowing that no harm can reach them unless it will be used for a greater purpose with Divine protection. They have learned to rely on Him fully, knowing that He is their defender during spiritual battles. Even when circumstances seem uncertain or overwhelming, they can stand on God’s promises.
Divine protection doesn't mean facing challenges. However, it guarantees that God's hand is shielding their life and guiding them through trials. His presence becomes their fortress, shield, and refuge.
“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7 NIV)
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2 NIV)
14. They Will Experience the Dark Night of the Soul
Before Jesus began His ministry, He spent days in the wilderness alone and isolated from all that was familiar for preparation. The ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ has a way of stripping away all distractions while isolated in solitude, which allows them to hear the truth and see the direction God wants them to go. It is in those times, one’s deepest fears, insecurities, and unresolved emotions, are exposed. The silence forces them to confront things they would rather avoid as they are tested, facing aspects of themselves that they may have long ignored. It is there that God often meets them in a way they have never experienced before (See 1 Kings 19:7-9 NIV).
In these silent moments, God's voice becomes unmistakable as it guides, comforts, and refines. Sadly, many shy away from isolation because they are fearful of what they might uncover within themselves.
God calls every Christian to live by trusting faith and not by sight. The purpose set before them is most often not fully understood, even when life seems overshadowed by struggles. The seasons of darkness don't make sense to the world, but to the Christian, they are an opportunity to strengthen their bond with God by releasing control.
Trusting-Faith is not rooted in comfort or clarity but in a steadfast assurance and hope that God is at work even when His plan is hidden from view. The person who walks in the daily favor of God holds on because they trust His goodness and promises because they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is guiding them. Their strength rises from complete surrender in the midst of this test. God's faithfulness and goodness are their foundation even when the way is unclear because they see His purpose unfolding in their life as He aligns circumstances with His greater plan.
The ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ has pushed even the strongest Christians to their limit. For those who endure ‘the Dark Night,’ it becomes a passageway to a clearer vision of God and a purer sense of purpose. It is a season marked by deep inner struggle and overwhelming hardship where everything seems to crumble, relationships fail, careers end, and life itself feels as if it's shrouded in darkness. However, God isn't withdrawing His love. Instead, He is removing the superficial layers they have built around themselves, which allows what is real and unshakable to emerge. This isn't a punishment or chastisement from God; rather, it's a refining fire that cleanses and strips away everything that doesn't belong and is keeping them from growing deeper in intimacy with Jesus.
The seasons of darkness won't last forever, and even when God’s presence cannot be sensed, they cling to the truth that He is still there, working within the silence. They emerge not just with answers but with a heart that trusts beyond what is seen or felt; this is where the chosen are shaped not by comfort but by faith that holds steady in the midst of trials. They understand that this process is making room for God's light to fill them in a way they couldn't have imagined before they came out of this test, knowing that the darkness served a purpose that, in the quiet, God was refining and making them His vessels of mercy. As the Psalm declares
“even though I walk through the darkest Valley I will fear no evil for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV)
CONCLUSION
The way to become a Vessel of God’s Glory and carry His presence is to walk in trusting faith by giving up on working to be a better person, esteeming others more highly than yourself, not worrying about tomorrow, casting all your cares upon Jesus and walking away from them, and giving in to letting Jesus love people just as they are.
As a result, the Anointing will flow freely, the Fruit of the Spirit will grow and ripen naturally, and the multiple supernatural manifestations and facets of God’s Favor and Anointing will move effortlessly through the leading of the Holy Spirit so that others may come to know the beautiful God for what He is – LOVE incarnate!
Being Anointed daily with the power of the Holy Spirit begins when the choice is made to surrender to God every fear, worry, frustration, anger, bitterness, resentment, dream, desire, ambition, aspiration, intellect, talent, experience, and knowledge.
A person can only encounter - and flow in – the miraculous resurrection power AFTER they willingly go to the Cross, they are to carry daily and allow the pride of their old nature to be crucified as needed so that God can raise them from the dead and into the brilliant glory of His presence so that they can experience Heaven - starting right NOW – with the supernatural Anointing of power to serve!
