The longer I live, the more I realize that the Christian life-a life that honors God- is impossible to live without the help of the Holy Spirit. Now, I’ve heard this most of my life but the reality is hitting me now, more than ever. In Galatians 5, Paul explains the intense conflict between our flesh and the Spirit of God. The Spirit desires the things of God while the flesh desires to satisfy our desires. Being Spirit controlled leads to life, being controlled by your flesh leads to death. What I love about God is he allows us to make the decision to serve him.
I am also becoming more aware that I need to trust God’s guidance in all areas of my life. For a long time, I thought I only needed God in my areas of weakness. However, I realize that while something may not trip you up today, it can certainly trip you up tomorrow. Furthermore, from my own life, my areas of strength have led me to be arrogant at times. For example, prior to my first job, I never understood how people could work for a certain amount of money and never have any savings. Haha! Lord, have I learned to keep my mouth shut about that because I’ve found myself in the same boat. I’ve since left my first job but I’m still battling with using money as a means to deal with problems. However, graduate school, medical bills, and living on my own are forcing me to get in order. Lawd!
Jesus never begged anyone to follow him. He simply stated and demonstrated who he was, the earthly representation of the Father and the fulfillment of God’s promise to send Israel a deliverer. He knew who he was, and people’s decision to follow him or not follow him never diminished who he was. Jesus referred to himself as “I Am” which brings to mind Moses’ conversation with God in the wilderness. When God commanded him to go to deliver the people of Israel from Pharaoh, Moses asked God, “Who shall I say sent me?” God’s response was “Tell them, I Am sent you.” “I am” speaks to God’s self-existence. He exists, has always existed, and will always exist. So, when we fall in line with the Holy Sprit, who Jesus said would guide us into all truth and is part of the triune God, we fall in line with the self-existent God who has always existed and knows all things.
In a recent conversation with a friend, she said “Your need to buy things is rooted in a fear of lack.” When I was a child, my parents could not afford to buy me and my brother many things so we learned not to ask. However, my classmates commented on my clothing. I didn’t realize how much those experiences impacted me until I started earning money and began to deal with my emotions through shopping. I was finally able to buy the things I wanted when I wanted to buy them. Shopping gave me a rush and helped to numb my emotions. I liked my leather handbags and shoes, my accessories, and amassed a ridiculous sterling silver jewelry collection. What does the Holy Spirit have to do with any of this?
For a long time, I allowed my past to control me. That past was rooted in lack, fear, insecurity, and a host of other things. However, my most recent battle with cancer and its aftermath, have left me realizing that spiritual and emotional healing is much more important to me than physical healing. It makes no sense for me to recover from cancer and yet operate from a place of spiritual and emotional pain. I choose to no longer allow my past to control me. God is able to heal me in all areas of my life as I respond to the Spirit’s call to come under his influence.
Galatians chapter 5 verse 22 says self-control is one fruit of the Holy Spirit. As Pastor Michael Todd said in a message, “Being self-controlled is not about controlling yourself. It’s about choosing who you allow to control you.” I think that’s a great explanation of what it means to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, his statement shows that we are responsible for what and who we allow to control us. Furthermore, God does not kidnap us and force us to follow him. Free will allows us to consider who God and make a decision as to whether we will stand in agreement with him or follow our own desires. I am learning that it is absolutely useless to attend church, sing beautiful songs, but live without the help of the Holy Spirit.
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