Dr. Michael James explores Spiritual Battles within the Eternal Mode of Living in the Divine Will

Dr. Michael James of Divine Will Era begins his podcast by offering a heartfelt prayer, invoking the presence of God and asking for the grace to live in God’s divine will and the strength to engage in spiritual battles. He reflects on the previous day, noting that a podcast he had prepared with excitement was not meant to air. Instead, he is guided by God to focus on today’s theme: spiritual warfare and living in the divine will, titled “Getting Honest with Dr. James.”

Dr. James explains that the core mission of his ministry is to guide individuals toward not just intellectually understanding the teachings of God’s divine will but to actually live in it. He underscores that the divine will cannot merely be an academic pursuit or a topic of casual curiosity. It’s about actively engaging with it, diving deeply into it, and allowing God’s presence to transform one’s life. He stresses that too often, people intellectualize spiritual teachings without allowing them to penetrate their hearts and daily actions. This, he notes, can be an easy trap, especially for those who are drawn to religious practices for their intellectual value, rather than for personal transformation.

Throughout his message, Dr. James emphasizes that the divine will is not just a theological concept or an intellectual exercise; it is a call to deeply surrender one’s life and trust to God. He warns against the temptation to remain on the sidelines, merely observing or engaging in superficial religious practices without actually living in the divine will. He critiques those who may embrace spiritual concepts for a season, only to abandon them when faced with the difficulties of spiritual warfare and the purification that comes with living in the divine will.

Dr. James speaks candidly about the spiritual battles that come with living in the divine will. These battles are not about intellectual understanding or theory—they are real, internal struggles that involve facing one’s imperfections, attachments, and sins. Spiritual warfare, he says, is about enduring the trials and challenges that arise when God begins to purify the soul, breaking down walls of pride, attachment, and ego. Dr. James emphasizes that spiritual battles are a necessary part of the process, and those who are serious about living in the divine will must be willing to engage in them.

The message he shares is not one of avoidance or retreat from suffering, but one of embracing it with trust in God’s plan. Dr. James emphasizes that living in God’s divine will requires a firm, resolute commitment—a “firm act of the will” as he puts it. This commitment cannot be half-hearted or merely a passing fancy. To live in the divine will, one must be ready to endure purification and suffering as part of the process of growing closer to God and becoming more aligned with His will. He reminds listeners that God will not give them more than they can handle, and He will always provide the grace and strength needed to face and overcome these battles.

Dr. James also stresses the importance of humility in receiving the divine will. He clarifies that humility in this context is not about external acts of meekness, but rather about accepting the gift of God’s will even when one feels unworthy. True humility, he explains, is acknowledging that we do not deserve the divine will, yet trusting that God is generous enough to offer it to us anyway. This humility allows a person to receive God’s grace and power, not because they have earned it, but because God freely offers it to those who surrender to Him.

The divine will, Dr. James points out, is not something one earns through personal merit or effort. It is a gift of grace that cannot be obtained by sheer human willpower. He explains that the divine will fuses the human soul with God’s eternal, divine mode of operation, allowing humans to participate in God’s divine actions. This gift elevates human actions to a divine level, transforming them into acts of eternal merit. However, receiving this gift does not instantly result in sanctity—it requires undergoing the stages of purification, illumination, and unification. These stages are not easy, but they are necessary for deepening one’s union with God and achieving holiness.

Dr. James elaborates on the stages of spiritual growth that come with living in the divine will. As one’s soul is purified and united with God’s will, it undergoes purification from sins, vices, and the inordinate attachments that hinder union with God. These challenges, while painful, are essential for spiritual growth and deeper intimacy with God. Dr. James encourages listeners to embrace this suffering, to see it as a necessary part of the process, and to trust that it has meaning in God’s plan.

The battle in living the divine will often involves the demonic forces that taunt and tempt the individual to give up. Dr. James acknowledges that the spiritual battle is real, with the enemy seeking to discourage and shame those who strive to live more deeply in God’s will. It is easy to fall into despair, especially when one feels overwhelmed by failures or tempted to abandon the battle altogether. He warns against retreating into intellectualism, which can be a defense mechanism to avoid the deep work of purification and trust. Intellectual pursuits, while valuable, are not enough on their own to transform the soul. It is the action of living in God’s will, in surrender, that leads to true transformation.

Dr. James encourages his listeners to persist through every trial, trust that God knows what He is doing, and realize that every moment of suffering is an opportunity to draw closer to God and extend His glory. He insists that retreating into despair, darkness, or a passive religious experience is not the answer. Instead, he calls for a proactive and persistent approach: “Roll up your sleeves, carry your crosses, and fight the battles, one at a time.”

Ultimately, Dr. James reiterates that the divine will is not just a concept to understand, but a reality to live. He urges his audience to fully engage in the spiritual warfare required to live in this gift, without retreating into complacency or self-doubt. Trust, humility, and perseverance are key to overcoming the challenges of spiritual warfare and growing deeper in God’s love. He concludes by assuring his listeners that they have everything they need to succeed in this battle and that their efforts will contribute to God’s glory. The divine will is here now, and those who choose to immerse themselves in it can experience the fullness of God’s presence and action in their lives.