The Spirit’s Influence
June 16, 2009 by Cath
Filed under Cath's Blog
This morning I read in Daily Light, Acts 7:23-43, 1 Thessalonians 5, and Oswald Chambers (OC). All carried a similar theme - being careful in our conduct and paying attention to what we do. One verse in particular was the key, I thought. In the NIV 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” Don’t you love that translation! The NASB says “Do not quench the Spirit.” What Paul is saying is, “Don’t stifle the Spirit. Let the Spirit have complete control.” Here is where we see that we can say yes to God and no to sin because of the Spirit’s work in us - He influences, controls, and empowers us to say yes. However, we do still sin, and if we continue to sin rather than confess our sin, then we are quenching the Spirit or putting out the Spirit’s fire. That’s why Paul continues on in 1 Thessalonians 5 to say “avoid every kind of evil.” And why would we live in the filth and dirt of the world when we can live in the palace of God’s beautiful holiness and glory? We sometimes choose the supposed security of the familiar sin instead of the seeming risk of the unknown yes of doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Here is where we must cling to the Lord, abide in Christ, and draw on the strength of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit is faithful to convict us of sin and will prompt us to confess our sin. Then, He is also faithful to lead us in the ways of the Lord, that we might follow Christ. And oh, don’t forget the excitement and adventure of following Christ, for He will make us fishers of men. Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:10 that Christ died for us so that we may “live together with Him.” And then he encourages us to be kind, be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit will set your heart on fire to do just these very things. So, as you are filled with the Spirit, and you say yes to the Lord, don’t be surprised if you see more joy, more desire to pray, more thankfulness, for God is at work in you, sanctifying you, doing in you what you could never do for yourself.
Lord, today I pray that you will fill me with your Spirit, and do in me what I could never do in myself. Change me, sanctify me, and give me strength for this day, enabling me to say yes to You and no to sin. And when I do sin, Lord give me the grace to confess it, and continue to walk in Your mighty power, the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yes Cathy Beautifully spoken. Today what I received was that God gives discernment. Spending time with Him and listening and doing, Trusting in His Ways is how I will receive this discernment. The benefit is knowing Him and reflecting His light. This is my Prayer
Our Home Group is doing the Set My Heart On Fire 30-day study. I attended the study last Spring, but wanted to do it again. I’m learning so much more because I have another year of reading God’s Word in my ‘Quiet Time’. We are finishing Week 3 and there are two powerful statements that really impacted me. “The Holy Spirit empowers you to understand the Bible. He makes the words meaningful to you, brings them to life and applies them to your heart. I can say for a certainty that He has helped me understand the Bible more this past year then the previous year!!
The next statement was a quote from Bill Bright’s work, The Holy Spirit, “spirit breathing”–exhaling by confession of sin and inhaling by asking for the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you again, Catherine for this study and for all you do!!