As we read the Bible, we can be tempted just to focus on the parts we understand well and skip over those subjects that are mysterious and confusing. The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is surely one of those subjects! But how is the Church affected if the person and work of the Holy Spirit are not studied? More important, how is our own spiritual growth stunted if we don't understand the Spirit's transforming power within us?
Did you know that the Holy Spirit helps you understand the Bible better and assures you of your eternal salvation? After you learn more about the Holy Spirit, you'll understand why Jesus told His disciples that they would be better served by Jesus leaving them and sending them the Holy Spirit than by staying with them (John 16:7).
In many ways, we evangelicals—especially non-charismatic evangelicals—frown on emotion. Somehow, this doesn’t square with common sense. More important, it lacks an understanding of the Spirit’s work within and through the realm of our emotions. Let’s think that through together.
Let’s see if God’s Word can give us greater insight into those unidentified inner promptings.
In our searching through the Scriptures, let’s reexamine the “anointing of the Holy One,” which seems inseparably linked to having “the mind of Christ.” Quite probably, some of these things could explain what we often pass off as mere intuition or coincidence. Let’s find out.
Most of us seldom give much thought to the Holy Spirit’s behind-the-scenes ministries. We open our Bibles to read and study God’s truth and rarely think of how He illumines our minds with an understanding of spiritual things. We pray, yet hardly ever consider the vital role He plays in that discipline.
The sudden presence of the Holy Spirit. Think of it! At salvation, God took up His residence in our lives. Not only that, He has come to this intimate place within for one major purpose: to “fill” us. He permanently indwells us that He might ignite us with a supernatural “dynamic” that cannot be duplicated.
Paul, in his magnificent treatment of the believer’s struggle with sin in Romans 7, opens a window of light in Romans 8 as he introduces the importance of setting our minds on “the things of the Spirit.” Could this be one of the secrets to the missing dynamic in our lives?
If the dynamic power of God brought about such a transformation in the first century, who can justify its absence today? With an open mind, let’s allow Scripture to answer these questions…then face the truth of those answers today.
God wants His people to do more than theologically interact with the One sent to indwell and empower and guide and comfort us.
All believers have spiritual gifts, whether you are gifted in serving, encouraging, or teaching others. God has given you talents and abilities to use your spiritual gift, which is different from another’s, making up the Body of Christ.
Many think the Spirit’s sole responsibility is to perform miracles, like when Peter commanded the paralyzed man to walk. But these miracles do not occur in the everyday lives of most Christians.
Insight for Living is committed to excellence in communicating the truths of Scripture and the Person of Jesus Christ in an accurate, clear, and practical manner so that people will come to an understanding of God’s plan for their lives, as well as their significant role as authentic Christians in a needy, hostile, and desperate world.
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