Carnal tenacity is something we've all grown up with. We know within ourselves that when we want something, we can get it if we push ourselves hard enough. However, when it comes to spiritual tenacity, it's a different story. The Bible tells us not to become lukewarm Christians. Yet in my years of experience, I have found people sway from being hot to cold. One moment, they're on fire for God. and the next, they are angry with Him and have walked away.
We may not be disciplined in spiritual tenacity simply because the natural man does not understand; it is only the spiritual man that understands. Every one of us in the church has a spiritual man that needs to be activated. Because we put a lid on it, the natural man takes over the spiritual man. First Corinthians 2:14 says, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
We all have a certain inherent level of tenacity, such as when we want to buy something but can't afford to pay at the time. We lay it away and pay it off. We have tenacity to buy the things we want, but no tenacity to seek the heart of God. Spiritual tenacity is difficult; I agree. By the end of the day, I am exhausted. I know at times when reading the Bible or having quiet time with God, I feel like going to sleep; I have nothing left. Pushing through and spending time with God is what I call spiritual tenacity.
God is tenacious, and it is that tenacity we need to activate in ourselves. First Corinthians 3:16 says, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" God just keeps going, He's like an Energizer battery; He won't give up. When we stop, He doesn't. It is that tenaciousness that you and I should possess. Instead, Jesus is portrayed with a lamb and staff, wandering around in the green pastures. But the Bible says He is the "Lion of Judah." Too often the enemy comes against God's people unannounced and has a field day wreaking havoc in their lives. If the saints of God were tenacious, things would be different.
When it comes to the work of God, there is a tenacity. Matthew 11:12 (NIV) tells us, "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force."When we are going through something in our personal life, we tell ourselves things like, "God is love; God is good," which I totally understand, but there is a time God will ask you and me to rise up, not give up and enter into spiritual warfare.
You need to know how to fight for God's promises over your life; they are your inheritance. Yes, Jesus is gentle and loving, but He is also tenacious. When God wants to give you something and you face opposition, you've got to fight for it, right to the very end. That takes a lot of determination and tenacity. Nothing will come on a silver platter for you; everything is contested. To receive the blessing God has for us, we need to be tenacious.
Let's look at Jacob as an example: "And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.' But he said, 'I will not let you go unless You bless me!'" (Gen. 32:22-26, NKJV).
Now that's tenacity! Even though Jacob's hip was out of joint, he got the blessing. Will you?
Reg Morais
