Walking in the Spirit of Love

  When we accept Christ as our Savior we instantly receive the Holy Spirit. We are filled by the Holy Spirit through faith. How much influence you want the Holy Spirit to have in your life is up to you. Many people believe, are baptized, and that is it, but those of us who want God to have an influence in our life want more. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV) The only way the Holy Spirit can have a work inside of us is through Daily Bible Study and Prayer (DBS&P). Our faith grows as we read and study the word of God. As we grow in Christ the Holy Spirit grows with us. Since I have learned through faith to be filled with the Spirit, my Christian life has become an adventure for me. I have this desire that came slowly at first, but now consumes me with a passion for Christ. I want to learn everything about Him, and learn everything He wants for me in my life.

If you have been living a spiritually defeated life it is because you have not set aside time to spend with God on a daily basis. ^“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:13-14 (NKJV) There are certain spiritual truths that can help you in your walk with God. When you understand that your relationship grows with time spent studying the Bible, the Christian life can become very simple. Walking in the Spirit produces fruit or service to God. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) Walking in the Spirit is allowing the word of God to dwell inside of us. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)

The secret to spiritual growth is to let God’s word fill your mind with truth as you let mental inconsistencies leave. The good goes in and the bad goes out. It is a very simple procedure that takes only a few minutes a day in Bible study and prayer. You will grow spiritually and over time you will see the roller coaster of life level out. Those of us who are anxious, restless, and unhappy become calm, finding a life where we can dwell in happiness. Faith becomes a part of our life, and we become trustworthy in everything we say and do. We are no longer jealous of others, and love frees us from the constant desires of the flesh. We are born into a new lifestyle where we think and act completely different. It allows God’s blessings to flow; however, everything isn’t always a bed of roses. We still have conflicts to deal with, but we have a Spirit of love and self-control to handle the adversities of life. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

When we do something that is contrary to God we confess that sin to Him in prayer. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that Christ has already paid for our sins through His crucifixion, and we repent, or change direction from the thing that caused us to sin, and we turn toward God. We have the abc’s of change. Our attitude, our behavior, and our character changes toward the sin so we become closer to God and farther away from the sin—then we are continually empowered by the Holy Spirit. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-14 (NKJV)