The Indwelling Power of the Holy Spirit: We Are Changed from the Inside Out

The precious gift of the Holy Spirit is given to every believer in Christ Jesus. And if we do not have the Spirit, we do not have Jesus. Paul pens in Romans 8:9 (NIV): “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” The Spirit enters the heart and so dearly loves His own that He dwells within them forever. He strengthens us for all the events of life – inclining our hearts and wills in the ways of the Father, by degrees. Yet, He is ever the Gentleman and does not force His ways upon us against our wills. We are not robots and while the Spirit indwells within us, sadly, so too, our sinful natures. We often shrink the power of the Spirit within us when we choose to go our own ways and not the Lord’s. Ah, so easy not to die to self, Amen? Yet, to keep in step with the Spirit calls for us to crucify the sinful nature. Paul so eloquently writes of the believer’s crucifixion notice in Galatians 2:20 (NIV): “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”   

We are selfish by nature and so often we want what we want when we want it, Amen? Denial of self oftentimes is not in our top 10 things we enjoy doing – or even 1,000! Indeed, we often exhibit 2 year old behavior even at 70, 80 and 90 (ask me how I know!). When will we ever learn? It is only in walking in the ways of the Master that bring lasting peace, joy and comfort – strengthening and establishing our souls. Asaph describes God’s lament in Psalms 81:11-14 (NIV) when he writes: “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!”

Interestingly as well, even if our “cross” be ever so hard and heavy, we are brought effectual peace and comfort through the Holy Spirit, the Spirit can fill our hearts with unspeakable joy and glory – even in the hardest of circumstances - we need only ask and receive. God will amply meet the needs of His child. And it is a joy that no man or no devil can take from us. The world cannot bestow peace and joy apart from removing the “cross” in the affliction but Christ gives peace even in the midst of the chaos and troubles.