Initiative

There are Christians who remain inactive because they are waiting for God to "take control". The devil would take control of a person if allowed, but God had the opportunity to do so when he created us. He will not "take the steering wheel" of your life. Rather, he wants you to listen when he advises you on where to "drive". The most exciting journeys are the ones where he does not tell you long in advance.

We need to take initiative in our relationship with God. He prepared good works for us to do but we must do them (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus commanded lame people to take up their beds and walk (Mark 2:11-12; John 5:8-9) and a man with a withered hand to stretch it out (Mark 3:3,5). Paul told a lame man to stand up and when he did, he was healed (Acts 14:8-10).

God created us with a free will. However, it will not remain free if we get addicted to any sin. Jesus said we can become slaves to sin (John 8:34). For instance, those who involve themselves with witchcraft can come under the control of demons so that they cannot help themselves anymore. Demons will even speak through them.

Jesus said the truth is liberating and he came to set us free (John 8:32,36). When we get baptised in the Holy Spirit he enables us to speak in tongues, but we do the speaking (Acts 2:4). Whether we speak or not is under our control (1 Corinthians 14:32). What we speak is normally not understood by us (1 Corinthians 14:2). It is likely to be praises to God (Acts 2:7-11). We need not fear that what we say would offend God, since the language comes from him and he would not give us anything bad (Luke 11:11-13).