SENSITIVITY TO THE SPIRIT BEARS FRUIT
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
Does it overwhelm you as a Christian to think that the spirit of God, the very person of God, lives inside you? When someone comes over to visit, we often scramble to clean up our home and make it inviting. In my case, I throw everything in a closet until my wife catches me! The point is that we want our house to look great and feel inviting to our guests. We care about welcoming them in well.
Have you ever thought about your life as a home for the Holy Spirit? How are you welcoming Him? Is there dirty laundry of bitterness, greed or lust that you’ve left out? Even if we want to, we aren’t the ones who put our lives together or make our lives Holy for the Holy Spirit. That’s why He’s called the Holy Spirit, and we aren’t. When He comes into our lives, and we give Him access to our whole life, then He starts changing and cleaning things up. He takes the hate and gives us love. He takes depression and fear and gives us joy. The point is, He’s the one who does this, not us. Your single job is to give Him access. Think about it: if you lock a door, a guest can’t enter. When you hide things from the Holy Spirit, He won’t change them. Your job is to be open and surrender; then, He will create fruit in our lives. How do you know if you’re sensitive to the Holy Spirit? Is He bearing fruit in your life? If He is, He’s at home and has access to your life. The fruit of the spirit is wholistic, meaning when you give Him access, He brings all of the things mentioned above and not just one. Keep the doors of your heart and life open to Him, and watch what He will do!
APPLICATION: Give the Holy Spirit complete access to your life today.
PRAYER: Tell the Holy Spirit today that you want to give Him your whole life and not a part of it.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?