2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2
Two weeks ago I blogged about 2Timothy 3:1-9 where I explained a few key phrases that I thought would create confusion for some people. As I was writing a phrase caught my attention that I copied and pasted below.
Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power
“Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” refers to keeping up a show of observing the outward forms of religion but renouncing its power and its influence over the heart and the life. It means that those who appear to be religious are such only in appearance, and in truth they renounce, repudiate, or deny the inward power and renewing influence of true religion in the heart and life. The phrase is often used to warn against such people…so says the Bible and so says Bing.
My interpretation of the above phrase and the Bing definition is simple…let the Holy Spirit guide us in our daily Christian life. Actually that’s wrong…sort of.
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5
And
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
Those that have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior have been given and filled with the Holy Spirit but fail to let the Holy Spirit guides us in our daily life. Many Christians would say, “But the Holy Spirit guides me every day in my Christian life.” To which I would say that’s true but are you listening to the Holy Spirit?
Present day society makes demands of ourselves and our family so much that we forget to slow down and pray and listen to the Holy Spirit. I did a little online research and read a few articles about “listening to the Holy Spirit.” I was pleasantly surprised to find so many articles regarding this topic. Admittedly I am one of those people that never thought of “listening to the Holy Spirit.” I always thought that the Holy Spirit will guide me with the subtle clues from my environment and/or the people around me which is partially true. However I feel that we as Christians forget to listen to the Holy Spirit and deny ourselves the wisdom, guidance, strength and the power it can gives us.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
So there is power in the Holy Spirit the power of wisdom, strength, faith, and love. Of all the articles that I have read about listening to the Holy Spirit they all share one item in common along with this scripture.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10
Below is the 5 steps to listen for the Holy Spirit
1) Find a quiet place
2) Start with prayer
3) Clear your mind
4) Settle into silence
5) Don’t give up
The Bible is filled with statements of people meditating on God’s word and the above 5 steps is generally those steps that we use to meditate. So meditating and walking closer to God is the way to listen to the Holy Spirit which talks for God.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13
It is good for Christians to meditate as to develop a closer walk with God. To listen to the Holy Spirit would be listening to God. The Holy Spirit has the power of wisdom, strength, love, and faith. It’s not that we are denying the Holy Spirit we just have not learned to listen to it well enough.
Remember:
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
God bless all that read this with His love, light, grace, mercy, and wisdom. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Revelation 22:21