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In Ezekiel 47:3-6 the Lord was teaching Ezekiel five spiritual levels of walking in the Spirit. He typified the Spirit with water, and these levels with, ankle deep, knee deep, waist deep, shoulder deep, and swimming deep. It says, "As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits[a] and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. 4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. 5 He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. 6 He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”
1.The Ankle Deep Christian.
In this level Ezekiel was standing on small waters which reached up to his Ankles. This is symbolic of the Christian who is more into the things of the world than the things of the Spirit. In this level the flesh and carnality reigns supreme. Fruits in this level are, gossip, argument, nightclubbing, drinking, smoking, swearing, sexual partners, porn, drugs, and so on.
2. The Knee Deep Christian.
Here Ezekiel moved a little deeper to waters which were up to his knees. However, the knee deep saint takes pride in being able to look back at the ankle deep Christian and say: “I’m deeper than you!”. Full of spiritual pride but devoid of spirituality. Holier than Thou attitude is found in this level.
3. The Waist Deep Christian.
The Christian who is waist deep is more faithful, but lacks commitment. He loves God but he still has the world in him. So he gives himself partially to God and partially to the world. Lukewarm Christianity is found in this level.
4. The Shoulder Deep Christian.
Shoulder Deep Believers have almost mastered submitting to the will of God. Their flesh is mostly under the blood of Jesus; they live their lives as a Christian ought. They are people in the Word, they know the Word, they worship, they do good. The shoulder deep still does not have their head under the total influence of the Spirit’s control. This level is one on walking by faith, but there is something higher than faith that one can walk on in the next level.
5. The Swimming Christian.
When you get to this level, you are completely out of the world, you have completely mastered the flesh, and Jesus has become the Lord of your mind, emotions, will and body. You become a man of God who lives only for him, his Word takes over your thoughts and emotions, you think what he thinks, feel what he feels, desire and want what he wants. You become united and identified with the light, until you become the light yourself. Completely dead to the flesh and alive to God. You are now led by the Spirit and you become a man of the Spirit, where the wind blows you go.