LIVING IN THE SPIRIT
Part 2

"And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost"
(Acts 13:52).

We continue looking at how we should respond to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Live in the Spirit

Galatians 5:25 reminds us to live in the Spirit. Romans 8:5 tells us that if we set our minds on the things of the flesh, we will live in the flesh, but if we set out minds on the things of the Spirit, we will live in the Spirit. Don't you want to LIVE in the Spirit? In whatever you are doing at any moment in your home? I certainly do. Let's continually set our minds on the Holy Spirit and allow Him to live His life in us. And what is the fruit? Romans 8:6 says, "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Follow the Spirit

Romans 8:4 NLT reminds us to no longer follow our sinful nature but instead FOLLOW the Spirit. We need to be in a place of rest so we can hear that "still small voice" saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it" (Isaiah 30:21).

Led by the Spirit

Romans 8:14 says, "For as many as a led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Read also Galatians 5:18. We can so easily be led by society and the mindset of people around us. We can more easily be led by our own fleshly desires. But, now that we are born again by the Holy Spirit and He indwells us, He wants to lead us. Look to Him to lead you in every decision you make, big or little. Trust Him to lead you with wisdom as you teach and nurture your children. Feed on His Word which will lead you into all truth (John 14:17, 26 and 1 John 2:27).

The Holy Spirit doesn't always lead us into easy and happy-go-lucky situations. Sometimes He leads us into difficult situations, but He will be with us in them. Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, even though He was filled with the Holy Ghost! Luke 4:1 says, "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness."

Pray in the Spirit

One powerful way to keep filled with the Holy Ghost is to pray in the Spirit. Jude v. 20 says, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost." This is how we build up in our faith. Many times we are so burdened about something that we don't have words to adequately pray. We can pray in the Spirit and with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).

1 Corinthians 14:14-15 says, "If I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."

Sow to the Spirit

Galatians 5:7-8 says, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

The more we give into our fleshly feelings and reactions, the more we sow to the flesh. The more we yield to the Holy Spirit who dwells within us and obey His promptings, the more we sow to the Spirit.

When things aren't going your way, it's easy to feel sorry for yourself and get into a state of self-pity. That's sowing to the flesh. Instead, against everything you feel, acknowledge that God is in control of your situation and confess the joy of the Lord that dwells in you. That's sowing to the Spirit.

When you feel irritated and lash out with angry words, that's sowing to the flesh. Instead, against all your feelings, acknowledge and confess the patience and longsuffering of Christ who dwells in you. That's sowing to the Spirit. When you give into selfishness, that's sowing to the flesh. When you yield to servanthood, which is the attitude of the Spirit of Christ, that's sowing to the Spirit (Philippians 2:5-8).

We must watch out that we are not deceived. This way of life is not to be scoffed at. The word, "God is not mocked" is mukterizo and means, "to turn up the nose, to ridicule, to ignore, to sneer." We cannot get away with giving into our own desires and selfishness. It always reaps devastation. I have watched the destruction of marriages where the wife is more interested in her own selfish ways than forgetting herself and sowing to the Spirit.

We must also watch out that we ...

Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:30 exhorts us, "And grieve not the holy "Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day or redemption." The word "grieve" means to cause sorrow and grief. When we ignore and refuse to yield to the Spirit, we grieve Him.

Do Not Quench the Holy Spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, "Quench not the Spirit." Here are some other translations of this Scripture to give us further understanding on what it means to quench the Spirit in our lives.

"Do not stifle the Holy Spirit" (NLT, HCSB).
"Do not extinguish the Spirit" (NET).
"Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the holy Spirit" (AMP)
"Do not restrain the Holy Spirit" (GNB, GNT).
"Never damp the fire of the Spirit" (JBP, Moffat ).

Love from Nancy Campbell
www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:
"I want so much to follow after the Holy Spirit. I want to walk in the Spirit moment by moment. Please fill me, teach me, and lead me by your Spirit. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:
Instead of dampening the fire of the Spirit in my life, I will kindle the fire of the Spirit.

FURTHER SCRIPTURES ABOUT SOWING AND REAPING:
Job 4:8; Proverbs 11:18: 22:8-9; Hosea 8:7; 10:12-13; Romans 8:12-13 and James 3:18.