The Inner Man Must Be Strengthened

The Inner Man

(Ephesians 3:16)

Paul offered a grand prayer with fervent entreaty before the Creator, God. This prayer marked a new milestone in human history, unlike anything that had occurred before. What was the content of this prayer?

1. The True “Me”
It was a request for God to strengthen the inner men of the saints through the power of the Holy Spirit, according to the riches of His glory. Why did he pray for the inner man rather than others? This is because the inner man is the true “Me” that God has saved and desires to guide according to His will. The inward man rejoices in God’s law. Conversely, the outward man opposes the inward man’s approach to God. The problem lies in the fact that the strength of the outward man is greatly forceful, and its nature is so violent compared to the inward man.

2. The Inner Man Who Suffers
For the inward man to control such outward man, it should gradually become strengthened through the power of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, for many people, this change never begins. Even after the inward man is saved, individuals continue to suffer under the tyranny of the outward man, the influence of evil spirits, and the schemes of the devil. These hardships ultimately affect the church, which is the body of Christ.

3. Strengthening the Inner Man
While evil thoughts, plans, and attitudes continually emerge from our flesh, if we restrain them by obeying the Holy Spirit, our inward men will gradually be filled with God’s personality. As a result, the influence of our outward men will weaken. However, this change does not happen overnight. When we listen to God’s word in the church and actively apply it in our lives, our inner men will gradually grow stronger. As more and more saints strengthen their inner men, the church will fulfill its mission well and bear abundant fruits.

Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim