Be led by the Holy Spirit! How?

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13)

The Spirit of Truth is the Spirit of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Truth. His Spirit was joined to your spirit when you were born again. Now, He guides your mind into all the Truth. He builds Christ in you until Christ is complete in you. And your flesh, which is already dead, no longer has any influence over you.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” (Romans 8:14) This is written to Christians.

Scripture tells us God would have all people to be saved. At present, we don’t see all people saved. Many are children of the devil. They are slaves of the devil. They remain in captivity. If you are led by the Holy Spirit, you are a child of God.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) This is written to Christians.

How foolish to reverse this process by thinking that by self-effort we can stop gratifying the desires of the flesh! The fleshly nature tries to convince us we must obey a set of rules that will cause us to walk by the Spirit. That’s backwards. Many have tried to do it this way. They work hard to avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh, but that never causes them to walk in the Spirit. It’s actually a form of rebellion since God said to walk by the Spirit (what this entire devotional series is about), and then, you won’t gratify the desires of the flesh.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) This is written to Christians.

We’re all familiar with this proverb. And yet, the tendency is to trust our own understanding. From the pulpits of churches, many preachers encourage dependence on reasoning. It’s hard to walk in the Spirit if you find yourself in a church that’s fueled by intellectualism and devoid of the Holy Spirit.

You walk in the Spirit by turning your attention to the Spirit’s leading rather than worldly voices, media, counsel, and teachers or your own rationalizing mind. You listen to the Spirit’s leading and yield yourself to the Spirit’s righteousness to the point that God’s grace does God’s works through you.

Ask God to answer these questions.
What does the Spirit of Truth do?
How does the Spirit of Truth guide you?
What does it mean to be born again?
How does the Holy Spirit give you understanding of the Truth?
What does it mean when the Bible says your flesh is dead?

Bonus questions:

What does it mean to be a child of God?
How can you be led by the Holy Spirit?
What does it mean to walk by the Spirit?
What does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart?

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DON’T GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. DON’T REFUSE TO LISTEN AND YIELD TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

You grieve the Holy Spirit if you refuse to listen and yield to God’s Spirit. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

“As for you, the Anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His Anointing teaches you about all things and as that Anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in Him.” (1 John 2:27)

The Anointing refers to the Holy Spirit. The word “Messiah” means “the Anointed One.” Christ in you is the Anointed One. Satan has manipulated the culture to make it seem weird to depend on the Anointing, but what’s really weird is to depend on human reasoning. Human reasoning is devoid of truth. Human reasoning makes up stuff and calls the made-up stuff “true.” Then it calls making up stuff and calling the made-up stuff reasonable when it’s actually insanity. What God tells us is the truth. It’s absolute. We may be dull of hearing, but God’s Words to us are absolute.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

Those who desire to follow Christ know His voice. God knows how to communicate. In order to know anything, you have to know Someone (God) Who knows all things, can’t lie, wants to communicate truth, and is all-powerful to overcome the weakness of the human mind.

The Bible says a lot about those who are dull of hearing, and it shows what causes that dullness of hearing. Near the top of the list is listening to ungodly counselors. Rebellion! Rebellion is wanting to do what we want to do instead of God’s will. Pride! Pride destroyed Satan. Distractions! The cares and riches and pleasures of this life are intense distractions. Rebellion, pride, and distractions cause dullness of hearing.

Ask God to answer these questions.
What does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit?
What are the ways you can listen to God’s Spirit?
What is the Anointing?
Who is the Anointed One?
Why do ungodly people think it’s weird to depend on the Anointing?

Bonus questions:

What are some of the differences between truth and human reasoning?
What problems can keep you from hearing God’s voice clearly?
How do you know if you are following Jesus?
Why is it important to listen to God instead of doing what you want?
What distractions stop you from hearing God now?

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THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO EVERYONE INCLUDING ATHEISTS.

Some people think the Holy Spirit doesn’t talk to people, but He speaks to every person. He even speaks to atheists.

The Bible says a lot about listening to God. The Holy Spirit comes from the Father and Jesus. He’s very real, and He talks to you. He wants to lead you every moment of your life. You need to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His guidance. Galatians 5:16 says, if you follow the Holy Spirit, you won’t give in to wrong desires. The Holy Spirit helps you make good choices and guides you to do the right things (Romans 8:14). Even after God has set you free, the devil still wants to control you. If you walk in the Spirit, you don’t listen to the devil; you listen to the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Christ will not only guide you into all truth, but He will tell you about things to come in the future. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13)

If you want power over your carnal nature, listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and yield to the power of grace so you can walk in what the Spirit told you to say and do. Galatians 5:16 says, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Don’t fight against the Holy Spirit. Don’t discourage those who are learning to walk in the Spirit. As 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not quench the Spirit.” If you don’t listen or don’t yield to the Spirit so you follow the direction of the Spirit, you quench the Spirit.

Ask God to answer these questions.
How many ways do you know about that the Holy Spirit talks to people?
How do you know God speaks even to people who don’t believe in God?
What’s the best way to listen to the Holy Spirit?
Why is it so important to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance?
How does the Holy Spirit help you make good choices?

Bonus questions:

Describe what it means to be set free by God?
How does the devil try to control people?
What does it mean to you when Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice”?
What is the Spirit of truth, and what does He do?
What happens if you don’t listen to the Holy Spirit?

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God Works His Works In and Through You

“For this I toil, struggling with all HIS energy that HE powerfully works within me (Colossians 1:29).”

Isn’t it interesting that you struggle with all God’s energy that He powerfully works within you!

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14).”

When you renounce all ungodliness and worldly passions, you turn your back on thinking and acting without God. You now know how God works in you to say His words and do His works by His power. The alternative is worldly passions, which are all the driving forces other than God. If it isn’t God working in you, even your religious efforts are just worldly passions. Worldly passions work against God in subtle ways. They present themselves as good and right, but they aren’t good. God intends to transform us into a purity of His nature that we can’t imagine.

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17).”

If we short-circuit faith, we know what God has told us to do, but we stop the process.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:10-11).”

There are natural gifts. Spiritual gifts are received through prophecy and the laying on of hands of a gathering of elders who have been called by God for the purpose of imparting gifts. God can use both kinds of gifts.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does it mean that God’s energy works in you?
Why does God’s grace bring salvation for everyone?
What does it mean to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions?
How does God train you to live self-controlled and godly lives?
What is your blessed hope that you’re waiting for?

Bonus questions:

Why did Jesus give Himself to redeem you from lawlessness?
What does it mean to be zealous for good works?
Why is faith without works dead?
What is a gift, and how would you use it to serve others?
What is the difference between natural gifts and spiritual gifts?

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How does God work His good works through you?

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9).”

God’s grace is sufficient. Even in infirmity, God’s grace is His power for righteousness.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10).”

Once again, we look at the way grace is through faith. Grace saves us from sin to righteousness, but we need faith to access grace. We are God’s workmanship. He works His good works through us by grace through faith.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).”

You know that grace is through faith and faith comes by hearing God. This is how God is able to make all grace abound to you. And God’s grace is why you abound in every good work. All other work independent of God is sin.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).”

Work out your own salvation for it is God Who works in you to do His will. You work by listening and yielding to the Holy Spirit.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does “grace is sufficient” mean?
Why is God’s strength made perfect (complete) in your weakness?
How does grace save you?
How does faith work?
What does it mean to be God’s workmanship?

Bonus questions:

What does it mean that God works His good works through you?
All work that’s independent of God is sin. Why?
What does it mean to “work out your own salvation”?
What’s your experience listening and yielding to the Holy Spirit?

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What is grace according to the Bible?

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14) What is your salvation? Your salvation is being set free from sin.

You are saved from sin’s slavery. Some people say they have faith and don’t need works, but James 2:17 says, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Real living faith unlocks grace, so grace says God’s words and does God’s acts through you by God’s authority and power. For this reason, you should never leave God’s presence. God created you to be connected to Him and His authority and power. The words you speak should all be anointed with the Holy Spirit. For example, 1 Peter 4:10-11 tells you, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” If you speak as the oracle of God, God is speaking through you. If you act, allow God to move through you by His love.

“through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)

Through Jesus we have gained access into God’s grace by faith. By faith we have access to grace. Jesus Christ, the Word of the Father, authored that faith.

Ask God to answer these questions.
Salvation includes being born again and growing to completeness. What does salvation really mean?
We’re saved from sin, death, sickness, and the power of the devil. How will you see that salvation?
What is grace according to the Bible?
Why do you need works if you have faith?
What does it mean if your faith can be dead?
Bonus questions:

How does grace operate in you?
What will it be like for you when you never leave God’s presence?
What does it mean for you to speak as the oracle of God?
How does God work through you when you serve others?
What is the glory of God?

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What is grace?

Salvation is by grace. Good works are part of each believer’s new identity in Christ, as God prepares those works in advance.  Most Christians here part of this statement quoted repeatedly, leaving off the rest of the story. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Here’s the rest of the story that makes it all make sense. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10) Grace is the power for good works. “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

That’s really different from the theology that says “You are saved from hell, and now you should try to live a good life” or “Now that you’re born again, you need to get other people born again.” There’s nothing wrong with living a good life or bringing people to Christ. Understand the difference between self-effort and yielding to the Holy Spirit working in you to do the work. The reality is that grace is God working in you to do His good works. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

While believers are called to work out their salvation, God’s grace is the power to do so. In Colossians 1:29 Paul said, “For this I toil, struggling with all His (God’s) energy that He (God) powerfully works within me.” Paul acknowledges that any effort he makes in serving and good works comes from God’s grace and strength working in him. And yet, Christians try in vain to bring their own works to God. Some say they aren’t earning their salvation, but they’re just trying to show their thankfulness to God. Good works have to come from God or they aren’t good works.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does salvation mean?
How are you saved?
What is grace?
What are good works?
Why are good works part of your new identity in Christ?

Bonus questions:

How do you allow grace to do good works through you?
Does grace mean you don’t have to do anything?
Why does God prepare good works for you in advance?
What does it mean to work out your salvation?
Why can’t your works earn salvation?

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God’s Grace

In the New Testament, grace is χάρις (cháris) favor, goodwill, kindness freely given. In the context of how the word is used in the New Testament, grace is the power of God for righteousness that comes through faith.

Here is where modern theology often drifts. Modern definitions often say: “Grace is God’s unmerited favor whereby He declares the sinner righteous.” That reduces grace to something less than it is. In Scripture, charis is dynamic, and it acts, trains, teaches, and empowers. Charis is not permission to remain unchanged. Modern shorthand sometimes implies: “Grace means God overlooks sin.” That is foreign to the word itself. Charis liberates. Charis transforms. Charis produces a new manner of life. Charis is not opposed to obedience. Modern theology often frames grace vs. obedience. Charis is opposed to earning. It is not opposed to action or faithfulness. Obedience is the effect, not the cause, of charis.

When you have faith, you can use God’s power to do what’s right and to love everyone. Romans 5:2 says that faith gives you God’s grace. Faith gives you access to grace. That means it unlocks grace in you. God’s grace is His power to live right, to do what’s good, and to stop doing what’s wrong. You could never be good in your own strength. If you listen to God, Jesus will create faith in you. That faith will unlock God’s grace in you. God’s grace in you will say the right words and do the right acts.

Faith unlocks God’s grace, giving you the power to live according to God’s will. Romans 5:2 states, “Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” God’s grace not only saves you but also equips you to live righteously. It enables you to speak His words and perform His acts as you rely on His strength rather than your own. (2 Corinthians 12:9) You cannot achieve righteousness on your own; God is your strength.

Many Christians don’t understand what grace is. Grace isn’t mercy. It’s not soft and fluffy. It’s power to do the work of God. It’s power to say the words of God. It’s how God does His righteousness through you. You listen to His leading and yield to His Spirit. Faith comes when you listen. Grace does God’s works through you and says God’s words through you when you yield to God’s Spirit. You need to yield. You need to allow God to work through you.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What do you now know about grace?
Why do some people think grace is the same as forgiveness or kindness?
How does faith give you access to grace?
How does faith unlock grace for you?
What prevents you from being good in your own strength?

Bonus questions:

What part does faith have in you doing what’s right?
What does it mean for God’s grace to help you live according to God’s will?
How does God’s grace give you power?
Why is grace not the same as mercy?
What does it mean to yield to God’s Spirit?

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The church is unified. Human systems work to divide us.

Those who are Christians are all one in Christ. Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” See everyone as equal and united in Christ, regardless of background or status. The church is not divided, but human systems often try to divide us.

Serve others in love. “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13) You should see others as those whom you are called to serve and help in love.

Encourage and build other Christians up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Even when you are with ungodly people, let God speak His words of wisdom and comfort through you. See others as people you support and encourage in their walk with God.

Forgive others as God forgave us: One other thing: you are called to view others with mercy and forgiveness, following God’s example of grace. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) That doesn’t mean you should tell people it’s OK for them to sin. You will often be with people who have their lives inside-out and backward. They get mixed up, and that hurts them. Often, these people think they are right, and they are self-righteous. You need to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit when you talk to them, and the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say. Most people won’t listen to you until they come to a point where they open up their minds.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does it mean to be one in Christ?
Why does the Bible say there is no Jew or Gentile in Christ?
What does it mean for you to serve others in love since God is love?
What does it mean for you to encourage someone?
How can you build someone up in their faith?

Bonus questions:

Why should you forgive others?
How did God forgive you and still be faithful and just?
What does it mean that you should forgive others like God forgave you?
Since God is love, how can you serve people in love?
What should you do when someone doesn’t listen to you?

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CONFORMED TO CHRIST, SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY

Once you have been born again, your spirit must rule over your mind, and your mind must rule over your body. That way, the Holy Spirit will lead you, and your body will submit to the Holy Spirit and let the Holy Spirit speak through your mouth. Then your words will be righteous words. They will be the words of God. Your acts will be the righteous acts God does through you. Eventually, you will be totally conformed to Christ, spirit, soul, and body.

God commands you to love others as yourself.  “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) The Holy Spirit will even lead you to love your enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45) If you see by the eyes of the Spirit of God, you will see others with love and compassion, and you will treat them with the same care as you would yourself. Treat others as you want to be treated. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

That doesn’t mean you hang around with those who want to do evil. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” Bad friends will deceive you. They will try to get you to say bad things and do bad things. You can love them and try to bring them to Jesus, but don’t let them pull you away from Jesus.

Ask God to answer these questions:

What does it mean for your spirit to rule over your mind?
How does your mind rule over your body?
How does the Holy Spirit lead you?
What are righteous words?
What are righteous acts?

Bonus questions:

What does it mean to be totally committed to Christ?
What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?
How can the Holy Spirit help you love your enemies?
What does it mean to treat others as you want to be treated?
Why shouldn’t you hang around with people who do bad things?

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