ADVANTAGES OF LIVING UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE SPIRIT

By Dan Delzell, Christian Post contributor Tuesday, January 09, 2024/ iStock/artplus

Maybe you've realized that we can be our own worst enemies sometimes. For example, whenever we are obsessed with things that bother us, our feelings begin to lose control.

Every time we give in to ungodly desires, we put ourselves under the oppressive power of our sinful natures. Without anxieties and desires, life would not be so complicated. In fact, in heaven, we will never feel worried or tempted. However, since we are not there yet, we must remain vigilant.

When a person is tempted, no one may say, "The Lord is tempting me," because the Lord cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but all people are tempted when, because of their evil desires, they are dragged and enticed. Then desire begets sin, and sin begets death in adulthood (James 1:13–15).

Do you know how your life would be if the Holy Spirit controlled it? You have experienced this spiritual dynamic firsthand if you are a believer in Jesus. In Romans 8:8–9, the Apostle Paul says, Those who are controlled by a sinful nature cannot please God. You are, however, controlled not by the sinful nature but by the spirit, if the spirit of God dwells in you."

Once you accept Jesus as your Savior, your body becomes a "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19), and the Holy Spirit begins to take control the moment you repent. The "old you "were put to death (Romans 6:6–14), and the" new you" rose to a new life (Ephesians 4:22–24). The" new you "is actually" Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, "I was crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."

You now have freedom in Christ, which means you have been "set free from sin" (Romans 6:18). In other words, you now have complete freedom to say "no" to temptation because "where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17).

In addition, every believer who lives under the control of the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the spirit, which has the best qualities: "the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22–23). Self-control, the last item on that list, is essential to living a spirit-controlled life.

If the "self" gets out of control, many problems arise. A spirit-led life has many benefits. When the Holy Spirit refreshes your soul, the world cannot begin to give you the peace that God has given you. Those who believe in Christ Jesus have crucified their passions and desires in the realm of sin. Since we live by the spirit, let us remain in accord with the spirit. How did it happen? By saying "no" to any thought, word, or action that grieves the Holy Ghost

"The mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6). This is the greatest advantage of living a spirit-controlled life. Each of us has the right to choose. We can grow to spiritual maturity by surrendering our souls to God or becoming stubborn, strong-willed children. When we confess our sins to God and believe only in Christ, Jesus washes away our sins and fills us with the Holy Spirit.

What do you think? Do you want to be under the control of the Holy Spirit? If so, you must first trust Christ as your Savior and save your faith in Jesus. If you don't, you won't be able to live a spirit-controlled life.

Andrew Murray (1828–1917) was a South African who wrote, taught, and became a pastor. "It's not that we should strive to have more spirit. We have him in the fullness of the gift of what he is," he wrote. The Holy Spirit must have more than us. He will fulfill us completely if we completely give ourselves to him. The blessing must come from within. The fountain of life is already there; all that needs to be done is to open it and get rid of every obstacle, and the water will flow out. It has to come from within.”

When he said, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink, Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures say, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37–38), Jesus was referring to a spring.

Those who believe in him will later receive the spirit, which he refers to as the stream of living water. Believe and accept, and then work to make God happy with everything you say, do, and think. A very heavy order? That is true; however, it is very refreshing when the "self" moves away from the throne of your heart. Moreover, if you are a follower of Christ, the place already belongs to King Jesus.

Always remember: a spirit-controlled life after conversion involves the Holy Spirit, who has more of us because Christ allows us to maintain self-control every day. "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Dan Delzell served as pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Papillion, Nebraska.

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