In the midst of our global pandemic, raging political climate and escalating racial injustice, it is hard to be sure of anything. But as believers, there is one thing we can be sure of; the Holy Spirit lives within us. Last week, we learned about the power from heaven and where to find it. Today, I want to show you how you can be sure you have it and why this is so important.
In Acts Chapter 2, the crowd is amazed as the power from heaven manifests in all those who were gathered. In our story, things are getting a little crazy, with rushing wind and flaming tongues. Peter has to address the crowd by saying, “let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.”
Often I need things explained to me because sometimes, I just don’t get it. But Jesus is really good at not only teaching but explaining. Now, we see Peter doing the very same thing.
Who is explaining things to you right now and are you listening?
But just as the Holy Spirit manifested in that gathering, that same power lives in us. Ephesians 1:13-14 TLB tells us how we can be sure of it.
“And because of what Christ did, all you others too, who heard the Good News about how to be saved, and trusted Christ, were marked as belonging to Christ by the Holy Spirit, who long ago had been promised to all of us Christians. His presence within us is God’s guarantee that he really will give us all that he promised; and the Spirit’s seal upon us means that God has already purchased us and that he guarantees to bring us to himself. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God.”
If you trust Christ as your Lord and Savior, then the Holy Spirit lives within you. That Spirit is God’s guarantee. Just like Jesus had God’s image within him, we do too. When we experience God’s presence, we know God is faithful and we can trust Him. As hard as it is to be sure of anything right now, we can be sure of this; the Spirit of God lives within us.
But, how do we know and how can we be sure?
Scripture tells us in John 20:22 NIV that “Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
- Have you received the Holy Spirit? It seems so simple. Trust Jesus and accept it.
John 14:26 AMP reads, “But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.”
- Do you feel like you are growing spiritually? Do you remember and practice the things Jesus taught you?
Luke 12:12 says, “…the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”
- Have you ever been at a loss for words or didn’t know how to respond in a situation? Then suddenly, as if by God, you were able to say the very thing you needed to say. That is the Holy Spirit working within you.
John 3:6 NLT says, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.”
- How is your spiritual life? Is it alive and active? Or dull and boring? What could you do to make your faith more spirit-filled?
Romans 8:26 says the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and even teaches us how to pray.
- Do you feel like God helps you in your weaknesses? What could God/Jesus/Spirit be trying to teach you about prayer?
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV says, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
- As the Holy Spirit works in your life, you will begin producing good fruit. Where you were angry, now you are calm. Where there was hatred, now there is love.
The fruit of the Spirit testifies to what is happening in our lives on a spiritual level. We minister to those around us, praying, teaching, healing and loving just like Jesus did. Because of the Spirit working within our own lives, we can be confident we are children of the Most High and others will know it too.
Come back next week, as we discover what we are supposed to do with this power from heaven. Leave me a comment and let me know how the Holy Spirit is working in your life. I love to hear your stories.
Let us pray, Glorious God, thank you that your Holy Spirit lives within us. Help us to yield to that Spirit so we may bear good fruit and do the work you have called us to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen. -M
