The work of the Holy Spirit on a human heart is not an unconscious or automatic thing. The human will and intellect must yield to cooperate with the will of God.
The human nature tends to go to extremes, when find fault in one thing then turn to another but tend to go to the extreme.
Proverbs 11:1
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.”
Here are some errors some well meaning Christians get into:
A- They work hard trying to make themselves more holy and mature in the faith, something that is impossible to do or,
B- They are passive, not doing any work at all thinking they are waiting on the Lord.
John 14:26
“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.”
The person of the Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to be our helper and teacher, and the relationship we have with Him is a two way response. He works in us and with us and at the same time we need to cooperate and work with Him.
His work on our lives depends on our moral responses.
Galatians 5:16-21
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
“The true Christian is a saint in embryo” A. W. Tozer
We have the heavenly genes and the Holy Spirit works in us and with us to bring us to maturity, yet we still have a mortal body who is subject to weakness and temptations and the spiritual warfare against that flesh may lead us to extremes. Many times in our efforts to be right we go wrong. Here are a few examples of this:
A- In our effort to be bold we could become brazen.
Remember that courage must always be entwined with love and meekness.
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
B- In our efforts to be frank and honest we could become rude.
Ephesians 4:15
“but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—”
I Peter 4:8
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.””
C- in our effort to be Watchful we could become suspicious.
A suspicious Christian will develop a spirit of hostility to everyone who disagrees.
I Peter 4:7-8
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.””
Ephesians 6:18
“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”
D- In our effort to be serious we could become somber.
Gloominess is a defect of character not godliness.
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
E- In our effort to be conscientious we could become over scrupulous, doubtful, we hesitate and become fearful.
We don’t have to decide what to do, Find out what the Lord has purposed for you to do.
We have been called to a relationship with God Almighty, not to walk in a perfect way but to draw closer to Him and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and be conformed to the likeness of Christ.
The motivation of our holiness and righteousness is the anticipation of the coming of our Lord Jesus and to become like Him.
Titus 2:11-14
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
It is very important to develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit and receive God’s written Word. It will be impossible to try to be a good Christian without the help of the Holy Spirit, He doesn’t only come alongside us to help us, He also lives inside of us. Be filled with the Holy Spirit is not a suggestion for you to take it or leave it but an essential necessity. You must consent to the will of the Father and receive the Holy Spirit. Don’t listen to the false teachers that say you don’t have to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit or that you need to wait for it, receive Him now. The first disciples had to wait as told by Jesus but after the Holy Spirit came to them, the waiting is over, you can receive Him right now. Repent of your sins, confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and receive the Holy Spirit. Then walk with Him.
Ephesians 5:17-18
“Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit”
Galatians 5:16
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Pastor Steve Maile & Karina Maile