Live in the Holy Spirit’s Power Every Day!

The number one hindrance to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is sin! Sin short-circuits his working in and through us, which causes us to be ineffective in the use of our spiritual gifts in his body. When we walk in the flesh, our works are “wood, hay, and straw” (1 Cor 3:12), but when we walk in the Spirit (abide in Christ), we live a fruitful life (John 15:5, Rom 8:6) and our works are “gold, silver, and precious stones” (1 Cor 3:12).

In Ephesians 5:18, the Apostle Paul tells us that it is God’s will for us to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit:

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

I find it interesting that Paul contrasts being drunk with being filled with the Holy Spirit. When a person is drunk, they will do things they normally wouldn’t do, say things they normally wouldn’t say, and sometimes they are filled with regrets for those things when they sober up! When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, they will do things they normally wouldn’t do and say things that they normally wouldn’t say either… but with NO REGRETS! It’s an issue of who (or what) is controlling your life, and who (or what) is empowering and motivating your thoughts, words and actions?

How to be filled with the Holy Spirit

1. Examine yourself and confess your sin
He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Proverbs 28:13

2. Surrender yourself completely to God
I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

3. Ask to be filled
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! Luke 11:13

Since we’re commanded to be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18), and God promises to hear and answer any prayer according to his will (1 John 5:14-15), we can confidently ask God to do what he already wants to do in our lives!

Application:

Take 5 minutes of silent examination and prayer before the Lord, practicing the three steps above.
Begin every day with these three steps and walk throughout your day in submission and obedience to the Spirit’s leading.
God wants to do mighty things through every one of his children, no matter who you are! Choose to walk in your identity as God’s child, and bear fruit for his glory this week!
Dave Stewart, LIFE Group Pastor