Ephesians 3:16. “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with His might by His Spirit in the inner man.” THE INNER MAN. Established long ago by words from others close and far, Modeled in the duties of life, home, and necessities to be provided; Thoughts, ideas brought together by words and mixed with a sense of duty – Values: once belonged to others; taught and learned, now become part of the inner man.
The privilege of work, and how and why and what, starts to form a framework; A way to live with meaning; honorable and visible to others by consistency; A trust is built: instead of distancing, people draw near and are glad to see you – Ethics: based on the evidence seen and obvious, it now becomes part of the inner man.
Responses seen and heard accompany the transfer of services, goods, and gifts; Facial expressions accompany the sound of voices mixed; some quiet with emotion, Others loud with exhilaration and enthusiasm, and transferred from one to another is – Attitude: both seen and heard by body language, words, and deeds are part of the inner man.
In the face and timber of the voice, observable by those who can discriminate; It is in the walk, the posture of the body; in the way the head is held and the eyes are used; When pressure comes that seems to challenge the order of things, and emotions rise – Dignity: the honor and self-respect that maintains a calmness, is part of the inner man.
Coming towards you, it becomes evident in the eyes and hands and the tilt of the head; The tone of voice, the pressure of one hand upon another, the unwavering look; Aware of what is around and right, understanding the right or wrong of a situation – Respect: whether one is sorrowing or rejoicing, rich or poor – it is part of the inner man.
Acts that are done, whether by those who are old or young, the evidence is there; Able to look beyond the obvious, to the reasons that may seem insignificant at first; A willingness to acknowledge attempts that are feeble or great; easily touched – Appreciation: the touch of the hand, a smile, a tear, a look that stays, is part of the inner man.
Thankfulness that is not trivial; a quiet hymn sung to oneself alone or to God; Gracious words and a graceful life; sympathy and empathy; tenderness and strength; Crossing over from self-interest to genuine consideration and concern for others – The Spirit: working constantly and effectively is strengthening the inner man.
“I am not able, O God of all grace, to define all that is involved in the inner man. But I know what it is like when things are right and strong and Spirit-led. I know what it is like when the Spirit has filled and strengthened the inner man – and I want that to be the norm in my life. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”