Life in the Spirit

This year, RGM has decided to tackle a topic that leaves many Christians perplexed: Who is the Holy Spirit and What does it mean to live life by the power of the Spirit?  Each month we will focus on a different aspect of the Holy Spirit and discover the true power for transformation in a Christian's life. We believe that authentic life change only happens only by the power of God working within us. Therefore, we need to get to know our Power Source.

For starters, check out this amazing video, POWER, and then review the scriptures below that discuss the Holy Spirit's activity in the life of a believer. Feel free to let us know your specific questions in the comment section.

Untitled from Marian Jordan on Vimeo.

The Holy Spirit’s Activity in the Life of a Believer

 The Holy Spirit Convicts us of Sin—

John 16:8

Jesus said, “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.”
As I write this section, I am praising God for this verse. Unless the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see our sin, we never recognize our need for a Savior. It is God’s mercy on us that His Spirit helps us to recognize our need for the cross. 

I tell women all the time that conviction of sin is a gift. Without it, we would remain stuck and in bondage. But God, through His Spirit, makes us aware and causes us to come to repentance where we find grace and freedom!

The Holy Spirit Indwells the Believer—

Romans 8:9

“You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, If the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”

When we come to Jesus Christ by faith, we are born again (John 3). This new birth is by the Spirit, which produces in us a new nature—the life of Christ. Christ now lives within the Believer by His Spirit.

The Holy Spirit Gives us a New Heart with New Desires—

Ezekiel 36:26-27

In foretelling the work of the Spirit, God prophesied: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

This is one of my favorite scriptures! I recall in my own life experiencing the transformation from a “heart of stone” that despised God and wanted to do my own will—to the miracle of a “new heart” that loved God and longed to glorify Him. This miraculous transformation occurs by the Spirit of God working in our hearts and taking up residence.  Now, with the Spirit living in us, we have both the desire and the power to live a life that glorifies God.  He gives us radiance!

The Holy Spirit Helps us in our Weakness—

Romans 8:26

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. “

Prayer is an expression of weakness, bringing us to God to acknowledge our dependence and need. In this place of weakness, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, taking our pleas before the very throne of God.

The Holy Spirit Gives us Understanding into God’s Word—

John 16:13

Jesus said, “When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.”

As believers, the Spirit of God helps us understand the Word of God. After all, He is the author of Scripture. He gives us understanding and teaches us concerning Christ. As we read the Bible, we ask God to open our eyes to truth and to reveal His Son to us; it is the Spirit of God who makes the truth plain to us.

The Holy Spirit Speaks to Us—

Acts 13:2

“While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said…”

God speaks to us! The Holy One imparts wisdom, knowledge, direction, encouragement, truth, and comfort to His children. This is one of the greatest truths in the Bible. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice.” (John 10:27).  

Yes, Girls, we can know the voice of God. He does speak to us through His Word and in our hearts. He will never lead or guide us to do anything that dishonors God’s name, contradicts His Holy character or His Word.

The Holy Spirit Produces a Love for God —

Romans 8:15

“You did not receive a spirit of fear, but your received a Spirit of Sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.”

When we receive God’s spirit, we are born again as children of God. This produces in us a love for God. Now, we see God as  “Abba”—Hebrew  for “Daddy.” Our whole mindset towards God is one of love and affection.  

The Holy Spirit Sanctifies  (Transforming Us into the Likeness of Christ) –

2 Thess. 2:13“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the spirit…”

From the moment of our new birth, the Holy Spirit is at work in us to produce Christ-like character. This transformation, called “sanctification” is the process in which we overcome the old sinful nature and become more like Christ, who is Holy.  It is important to remember that sanctification is a life-long process. We participate in the process by surrendering to God’s spirit, studying His word, praying, and daily remaining connected to Christ. Overtime, we will resemble the Radiant One, Jesus Christ, because of His Spirit’s transforming power in us.

The Holy Spirit Produces Christ’s Character (Fruit)—

Galatians 5:22-23

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

I believe this is one of the most misunderstood and misapplied scriptures in the whole Bible. So often you will hear teachers say, “A Christian should strive to be loving or joyful.” Yet, the truth is that we cannot change in our own power.

We need Jesus and His Spirit living in us to produce Godly character.  The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence that someone is controlled by God’s Spirit. For instance, an apple tree doesn’t strive or strain to produce apples. No, the natural result of its nature is apple production. Likewise, when we indwelled and filled with God’s Spirit, then the natural  “produce” of our lives is His character (or fruit).

The Holy Spirit Equips Us with Spiritual Gifts—

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

Every believer is equipped with gifts of the Spirit to use for the glory of God. The purpose of these gifts is to testify of Christ and to build up the church. Every one of us is empowered for service in God’s Kingdom. You have a special role to play in glorifying His name. Don’t hide your gifts—let them shine!