When you run a race, such as a marathon, it is your race to win or lose … without any help or encouragement. Living for Christ is different.
When Jesus left the earth after His resurrection, He told his disciples to wait for the “promise” He would send them from his Father. “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised” (Luke 24:49).
The Holy Spirit is called many things in the Bible, but His main role in your life is to be your “Encourager and Comforter” as you embark on your new journey with Christ (see John 16:7-15).
Without the Holy Spirit, living for Christ is impossible. With Him, you can do anything and everything through Christ (Philippians 4:13)!
The Indwelling Holy Spirit
When you invited Jesus Christ to be your personal Savior and Lord, He actually entered your life–and He will be with you forever. You will never be alone! Ephesians 3:16-17 tells us, “He [will] strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
As Munger discovered, your invited guest and Lord, Jesus, desire to “settle down” in each “room” of your “house.” He brings warmth, light, and music. Christ lives in you through the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Even though the Holy Spirit is invisible, He is a real person—the Spirit of Jesus (John 14:16-21).
Use NOTES or keep a separate journal to answer the questions found in this lesson. Read the following verses to find out more about the Holy Spirit:
Q. Acts 5:3-4 _______________________________________
Q. John 14:16-17 _______________________________________
Q. 1 Corinthians 6:19____________________________________
Yes, the Bible states clearly that just like the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit is God; one God in three persons.
The Holy Spirit will take each area of your life which you commit to Him and make it meaningful and purposeful. It won’t happen immediately, and there will undoubtedly be setbacks, but, “He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
A New You
“Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
You are now a totally new creation just like a new butterfly, which was formerly a caterpillar.
You may not always feel…or act new. But in God’s eyes, you are totally new!
The Father sees you as one whom his dear Son has purchased with the price of his own blood. You are His royal child! (Hebrews 2:9-11).
Your Best Friend
The Bible tells you that Jesus is your best friend.
Ashley’s Story
“I always put my friends above God. In fact, my life revolved around my friends so much that I began to get involved in reckless behavior just to seem ‘cool’ to others.
Pretty soon I got involved in drugs, sex and alcohol. My life got out of control, and I felt worthless, with no purpose other than to get ‘high.’ Then I even lost my friends, who called me ‘trash.’
One day someone told me that Jesus Christ not only created me, but wanted to be my best friend. I couldn’t believe it at first. Later, I decided to ask Him into my life. Since then, God has given me a new purpose in life and helped me break my addictions. I now have many new friends, but the greatest of all is Jesus Christ. He accepts me for who I am, and tells me that ‘He will never leave or forsake me’” (Hebrews 13:5).
Ashley discovered what millions of others have discovered about Jesus: He is our best friend. No other friend loves you so much or will stick with you so closely (Proverbs 18:24). Jesus is totally loyal and faithful (Proverbs 20:6).
More Like Christ
God’s plan is to change you into Christ’s image (Romans 8:29). Jesus’ Spirit living in you has begun this change, and He will continue his work throughout your life (Philippians 1:6).
Q. Whose work is it according to Philippians 2:13?
Q. What qualities do you look for in a friend?
Battle of the Will
We all are assaulted daily by images and desires that are outside the will of God. This includes temptations such as sex outside of marriage, gossip, anger, addictions, and other destructive behavior (Galatians 5:17).
You will be tempted to put other things ahead of Christ. Although there is nothing wrong with money or material success, it is very easy to get so focused on possessions and success, that God becomes secondary to personal ambition. God wants to be your first and highest focus in life … and you will only be truly satisfied when you give Him his rightful place. (Matthew 6:33).
The apostle Paul writes about the struggle to live for Christ. In Romans 7, Paul writes about how he had the desire to live for Christ, but how he kept failing his Lord. He learned that this battle of his flesh versus the Spirit can only be won when we surrender our wills to the Holy Spirit. Paul explains in Romans 8 how he was able to achieve victory through the Holy Spirit.
As long as you live, you will also have your own flesh with you, and its desire for self-gratification. Life will be a continual battle between the desire to do things your way…or Christ’s way.
Q. What does Galatians 5:16-18 say about this warfare?
Choosing to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading will always be the right choice!
Q. According to Galatians 5:16-23, contrast the two different lives: The Self-Controlled Life
Q. According to Galatians 5:16-23, contrast the two different lives: The Spirit-Controlled Life
The “Filling” of the Holy Spirit
The Bible says: “So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16).
The word “filled” means to be directed and controlled. A basketball player voluntarily puts himself under the control of his coach. He does this so he can play his best … and win the game.
The player is not a robot. But he freely chooses to let his coach direct him, because he wants to play well … and win!
Q. What does Ephesians 5:18 tell us?
A New Way to Think
God’s plan for you is to mold you into the image of Christ. This life-long process is the work of the Holy Spirit…as you give Him control of your life (Romans 8:29). There is tremendous freedom in giving control over to Him. You will no longer be imprisoned to self-centered cravings and passions. If they reappear in your life, remember that the Holy Spirit is always there to help restore you to fellowship with Christ.
The Holy Spirit will gradually conform us into the image of Christ as we submit ourselves to Him. Of course, we will never be totally like Christ until we are with Him in Heaven.
Two Types of Christians
The circles below represent two types of Christians and the thrones represent who is in control.
The circle on the left depicts a Christian who has given his/her life to Christ but has chosen to rule his/her own life. All activities, interests, desires, and choices are self-directed, leading to a life of spiritual frustration and defeat (represented by the arrows). Galatians 5:19-21 describes the Christian who has self at the center of his life.
The circle on the right depicts a Christian who has put Christ as the focus of his life. All activities, interests, desires, and choices are directed by Christ resulting in harmony with God’s plan. This is the abiding life, which results from being obedient to the Word of God. Galatians 5:19-23 describes the vast difference between a Christ-directed life and a self-directed life. The key to yielding your life to the Holy Spirit is “think right.”
“I plead with you to give your bodies to God … When you think of what He has done for you, is that too much to ask?” (Romans 12:1).
It is God’s great love for you that should be your motivation to trust the Holy Spirit completely with your life. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
Todd’s Story
“For three years I had been consumed with the desire to join the elite club for ‘cool’ guys in my high school … the ‘Mavericks.’ Before coming to Christ, I would have ‘sold my soul’ to have been asked to join. Although I was a Christian, I thought it would still be okay … even though it was a drinking club.
I began to seriously think about going all out for Christ, and putting aside things that were self-destructive. Finally I decided to make a decision by the end of the week.
It was during that week that I got asked to join the Mavericks! I immediately knew that the stakes were high, and that Satan was trying to derail my decision. I didn’t give him the pleasure: and turned my life completely over to God. God gave me true freedom … and a purposeful life!”
A New Way to Live
As Romans 12:1 says, giving your life to the Holy Spirit is a decision … a free choice for you to make. It is done by simply putting your life into the hands of a trustworthy God.
Just as you came to Christ by faith for the forgiveness of your sins, you must by faith ask the Holy Spirit to control your life.
When you think of what He has done for you … and how much He loves you … is there any other choice?
In response to Christ’s love for you, simply pray the following:
“Dear Lord, I want You to change my life from being self-centered into one that is Christ-centered. I confess my sinful thoughts and actions, and give You, Holy Spirit, control of my life right now.”
Q. What does this commitment mean to you?
Jesus will take you just as you are … and begin re-weaving the strands in your life … when you come back to Him in confession and repentance. God’s Word says, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).