Romans 8 v 5-10, 13-14 (NIV)

RECURRENT THOUGHT

A successful Christian life is a product of interaction with the Holy Spirit in the day to day activities of life.

INTRODUCTION

The majority of our talk about the Holy Spirit centers around the spectacular display of the power of God through activities such as preaching, teaching, healings, miracles, tongues etc

The context of these activities account for a tiny portion of our lives. We spend most of our time in the day to day activities of life away from religious activities and ceremonies … at work, school, home, the market place etc.  I refer to this ordinary space of life as ‘Monday’. 

What happens in the ordinary spaces of life shape our lives and define our manifestation and impact.  If the Holy Spirit is to be of any meaning to us he has to engage us in the ordinary spaces as well. The good news is he does, the bad news is we do not pay attention!

The Holy Spirit has the dynamism to interact with us in the ordinary spaces of life. Unlike the physical Jesus, the Holy Spirit is not limited by time and space, he can be with us 24/7! Jesus makes it clear that the believer benefits more with the Holy Spirit than him on earth. ‘it is for your good that I go’ John 16: 7. Cf John 14: 15-31.

The Holy Spirit is the unlimited essence of God that interacts with humanity to bring out godly virtues.

In Galatians 5: 22 Apostle Paul tells us that the product of humanity’s interaction with the Holy Spirit is the fruit of the Spirit which comprises love, peace, joy, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance etc.

This fruit of the Spirit (Peace, Joy, Gentleness, Meekness etc) does not manifest in the pews on sunday, it is needed at the office, home, community etc.

Key aspects of our interaction with the Holy Spirit in the ordinary spaces of life.

1. THE BORN AGAIN EXPERIENCE INTRODUCES US TO THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

   • A real born again experience is set in motion by the convicting communications the Holy Spirit who beckons sinners to turn from their way. John 16 v 8-10.
   • There was an internal voice that sounded greater that the voice of the preacher, which we yielded to. It was real and living. It was tangible and unmistakable. It nudged and prompted us. It laid a burden upon our heart. We yielded to it and changed! Roman 10v8-9.
   • This initial engagement with the Holy Spirit serves as a template for our future interaction with him. It creates a reference point for the language of the Holy Spirit in our mind.
   • Unfortunately, many of us abandon the voice along the way. We somehow think that spiritual growth entails a graduation from this voice. We end up with church doctrine and voices of men of God, without the active voice of the Holy Spirit.
   • There is no relationship with God outside the active voice of the Holy Spirit. The voice has always been the center-piece of the relation between man and God from the Garden of Eden. The epitome of the relationship between God and man is an interaction with his voice every day. Genesis 3 v 8. John 10:5.
   • The ultimate test for our status as children of God is the extent to which we are subjected to the leading of the Holy Spirit, the dynamic silent voice. Romans 8 v 14.
   • The most cherished moments in the Christian walk ought to be the moments when we yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit, not the time we are used of God to perform miracles.
   • It is in yielding to that voice that we bear the fruit of the spirit.
   • The voice of the Holy Spirit does not become dominant in our mind by raising its volume, it dominates by getting pre-imminence through increased attention and repeated interaction.  
   • Spiritual warfare is about silencing other voices in our mind and giving pre-imminence to the voice of the Holy Spirit. We win by starving contrary voices of attention in the mind, putting them into captivity. (2 Corinthians 10 v 4-5).
   • It is time to go back to that voice, to remember the joy and piece it brought to our hearts and to re-establish the connection.
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT OPERATES IN THE DIMENSION OF WISDOM
   • “Wisdom is a virtue that applies essential knowledge (information) in situations where one makes decisions, resolutions, judgements, discretion, choices, etc” -Dr. Lweysa
   • Wisdom is begotten of God (Proverbs 8: 22) It is not surprising that it exemplifies the modus operandi of the Holy Spirit. 
   • Wisdom does not seek to win arguments. Luke 7:35 “But wisdom is proved right by all her children”.
   • The direction of the Holy Spirit may not always align with the best arguments on the matter or popular opinion, but it carries our safety and success.
   • It is the Holy Spirit that makes Christianity a personal relationship with God. It is the leading of the Holy Spirit that brings a personal touch to our lives. He enables us to run our individual race! The Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19 v 21.
   • There will be many times when the leading of the Holy Spirit will take us away from direction of the multitude/friends. He deals with us in the context of the individual unique circumstances.
   • There will be times when he will take us into seasons that are different from what everyone else is experiencing.
   • When he engages us, he deals with the totality of the context of our situation. He is the discerner of the intentions of men. He sees what no eye has seen, he hears what no ear has heard and what no mind has perceived. 1st Corinthians 2: 9-10.
   • Decisions that are inspired by the spirit may not make sense today, but they will surely be proved right with passage of time. 1 Corinthians 2: 15
   • Wisdom sees danger from a far and avoid it. Proverbs 22 v 3! “The prudent (wise) see danger and take refuge but the simple keep going and pay the penalty”.
   • In operating in the dimension of wisdom, the holy spirit, engages us way before danger manifests. We usually dismiss him because it feels like he is being over apprehension.
   • For every regret in our life we can point to a warning sign that came much earlier but we dismissed it. Like a kid we respond by saying “I know what I am doing” or “I am seeing it, I will stop at the right time before it hits me”
   • A fall doesn’t happen overnight; it is preceded by numerous warnings from the Holy Spirit which are sadly dismissed because they came early.
   • The discomfort, unease or tension we feel from the early interventions of the Holy Spirit may not be enjoyable but it is surely better than the pain of regret.
3. ENHANCERS OF INTERACTION WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
   • Aligning with his value system
     • Ultimately the interventions of the Holy Spirit are meant to help us maintain the joy of salvation. His leadership ensures that we live a life of peace…the absence of condemnation and regret. Romans 8:1, 6.
     • He wants us to continuously flow in righteousness peace and joy which are the foundations of the Kingdom of God. Romans 14: 17 (the kingdom of God is …righteousness, peace and joy in the holy Spirit”
     • His leadership guarantees sound mind. 2 Timothy 1 v7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and a sound mind (self-discipline)”.
     • It is impossible to enjoy the ministry of the Holy Spirit if you do not value peace and joy of the inner man.
     • Be content with peace & joy as the reward for your integrity, sometimes it is the only reward you may get.
     • We are at our most authentic when we run our lives from the internal platform of engagement with the Holy Spirit other than external forces or desires of the flesh.
     • There is a confidence that only comes from having a right standing with God. When you are not running away from yourself.  Proverbs 28 v1. “…But the righteous are as bold as a lion”
   • ​​​​​​​Celebrate his Standards!
     • ​​​​​​​In leading us the holy spirit will call us to set higher standards of living. He will prompt us to set standards of living that speak to a life of integrity.
     • Our calling is not only for us to walk in righteousness, we are also called to delight in standards/prescriptions of God. Psalms 1 v 2.
     • To delight is to hold in high regard, to enjoy and celebrate. To extol.
     • Recognize and reward integrity wherever you see it. Celebrate it.
     • Accept that you live by different standards from the rest and be proud of it! Don’t be timid about your standards of integrity. Don’t give in to mockers. Avoid jokes that cast integrity in lowly light. Let the people around you know that you celebrate the standards of God.
     • Don’t allow your failure or failure of others cause you to despise the standards of God. Proverbs 24 v 16.  With each rise you diminish the possibility of another fall.

ALTAR TIME.

1. Re-connect to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
2. Commitment to silence other voices that drown the voice of the Holy Spirit in our lives

Commit to uphold and celebrate the values and standards of the Holy Spirit.