The Truth about the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13-14, teaches us that at the moment you accept Christ, He identifies you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, which is God’s guarantee of your Salvation.
Therefore, by accepting the truth of the Word of God, we don’t have to wait for an emotional experience to confirm you have the Holy Spirit, you can relax in the truth that you have Him living in you.
STOP WAITING FOR EMOTIONS TO VALIDATE WHAT IS TRUE!!
Galatians 5:16-17 (NLTse)
[16] So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. [17] The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
The Holy Spirit is given to believers to empower them to live a life according to God’s principles.
Being controlled by the Spirit refers to being guided by the Holy Spirit in one’s thoughts, actions, and decisions. This concept emphasizes living in accordance with spiritual values rather than merely following personal desires or societal norms.
When someone is controlled by the Spirit, they often exhibit traits such as love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, which are referred to as the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This state is about surrendering to the divine influence and engaging in practices like keeping your mouth closed when everything in you wants to strike out. Or not participating in things that will bring shame to the godly life you claim to live.
Prayer and studying scripture to align oneself more closely with God's will. It encourages individuals to act with compassion, integrity, and purpose in their everyday lives.
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S ROLE IN OUR LIVES.
1. **Inner Promptings**: The Holy Spirit often communicates through a gentle prompting or conviction in a person's heart or mind. This may manifest as a sense of peace, encouragement, or guidance in making decisions.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV): “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
As believers, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, empowering our daily lives. This means we are never alone. When temptation arises or when we face difficult choices, we have the Holy Spirit’s strength to help us stand firm in our faith.
2. **Scripture**: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in illuminating the Bible, helping believers understand and apply its teachings to their lives. The Holy Spirit brings certain verses or passages to your attention in times of need.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)
[14] 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.
John 14:26 (NKJV)
[26] “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
3. **Prayer**: Through prayer, believers seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The Holy Spirit intercedes in prayer, providing wisdom and direction, and helping individuals discern God’s will.
John 16:13 (NLTse): When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. [14] He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. [15] All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, 'The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.'
4. **Community**: The Holy Spirit can work through other believers in a community or church setting. This might include receiving counsel, encouragement, or correction from fellow Christians who are also tuned into the Spirit’s leading.
Hebrews 10:24 (NLTse)
[24] Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. [25] And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
5. **Circumstances and Events**: Sometimes, the Holy Spirit guides through circumstances, opening or closing doors in ways that lead a person toward or away from certain paths.
6. **Spiritual Gifts** The Holy Spirit equips believers with spiritual gifts for ministry and service within the church and the wider community, enabling them to use their talents for God's glory.
1 Corinthians 12:4 (NLTse): There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. [5] There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. [6] God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
[7] A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. [8] To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. [9] The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. [10] He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. [11] It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
7. **Conviction of Sin**: The Holy Spirit helps believers recognize sin in their lives and leads them toward repentance and spiritual growth.
The Holy Spirit works within Christians to produce the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, shaping their character to be more like Christ.
Galatians 5:22-26 (NLTse): But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
[24] Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. [25] Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. [26] Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
8. **Intercessor**: The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers in prayer, helping them to communicate with God even when they do not know what to pray for.
Romans 8:26 (NLTse): And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. [27] And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.
Conclusion:
The Holy Spirit is a tremendous gift from God, given to empower us for living a life that reflects His glory. He is the Comforter, guide, and transformative force in our lives. Embrace the fullness of the Holy Spirit today and let Him lead you into a deeper relationship with Christ.
As you go through our week, let us remember that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, guiding us, equipping us, and assuring us of our place in God’s family. Let us walk in the confidence and power that comes from the Spirit, extending His love and grace to a world in desperate need.