“The Spirit Controlled Life” Pt 8:
This Sunday is one of the most important days in the history of the Christian church. It’ Pentecost Sunday and the day the Christian Church was born. The Holy Spirit filled the lives of the early disciples after ten days of praying and the spiritual power given them that day allowed them to share the Gospel with 3,000 people coming to Christ. As disciples of Jesus, we too are to continue spreading the Gospel to everyone we possibly can.
The Holy Spirit not only empowers one to share their faith, but when totally surrendered to the Lordship of Christ it’s also the Holy Spirit’s power that helps us walk, talk, and act like Jesus. This isn’t a one-time prayer or single surrender; it honestly should an everyday prayer of seeking the fullness of God’s Spirit.
Christ died to set us free from sin and from a long list of laws and regulations. Christ came to set us free – not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery of our selfish desires. But because of His death and resurrection, we are now free and able to do what was impossible before – to love God and others.
There are four voices we hear every single day – our own, others, the devil’s, and the Holy Spirit. We must discern who’s talking and the Holy Spirit helps us do that. Living a godly life is rooted in surrendering to God’s will, renewing your mind, and actively practicing virtues like love, forgiving, and self-control (see Romans 12:1-2).
Galatians 5 gives a wonderful comparison of the virtues of a person living away from God and following their own sinful desires. A description of one that’s controlled by the Holy Spirit follows. I call this the GREAT EXCHANGE. It’s getting rid of bad things in our life and replacing them with God’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit). See the contrast below.
When following the desires of your sinful nature, the results are clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasure, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21(NLT).
When accepting Christ as Savior followed by a total surrender of heart, mind, and will, the things above eventually fade away and are replaced by the Holy Spirit who takes control of our life. “The Holy Spirit produces the characteristics of God known as the “Fruit of the Spirit.” They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (vs 22-23 NIV). Quite the exchange, don’t you think? Which type life do you wish to have – one where Christ is the center of everything or led by your selfish desires? It’s your choice!
Pastor Carnes
