Living in the Control of the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:17–23 KJV 1900

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Introduction

one of the greatest benefits and blessings for every Christians man is that at the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit came to take up residence in that man’s life.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 KJV 1900

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

At salvation, not only did the Holy Spirit indwell you, but you were spiritually baptized in Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12 KJV 1900

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

You are in Him and He (Christ) is in you through the person of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:20 KJV 1900

At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

You are also sealed by the blessed Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30 KJV 1900

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 5:18 states a commandment to be fully controlled and filled by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 KJV 1900

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Though the Holy Spirit indwelled you at the moment of salvation, the question of control is a moment-by-moment consideration. You always have him, but does He have you? Does the Holy Spirit of God control your thoughts, your attitudes, your desires, and your daily actions? He is ready to take the reins of your life if you will yield to Him.

The Problem of Control

Even after salvation, we still wrestle with the flesh, and we find a measure of struggle exists on a daily basis because the Holy Spirit and our flesh are at adds with one another.

Galatians 5:17 KJV 1900

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

When we allow our flesh to control our lives, we express and experience the works of the flesh:

Galatians 5:19–21 KJV 1900

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

When we walk in the Spirit we will demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

One preacher friend often asks in his preaching, “Are you right now filled with the Spirit?” The great need and a genuine mark of a godly man is that he lives under the moment by moment control of the Holy Spirit every day.

When any sin in word, thought, or deed enters our lives, we quench the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJV 1900

Quench not the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30 (KJV 1900)

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God...

By our wilfulness, we render the Holy Spirit inoperative, and we bind Him, thus allowing fleshly appetites and self-will prevail.

The Holy Spirit’s baptism and indwelling occurs once at salvation; however, we can and must experience many fillings of the Spirit day by day. This fresh filling of the Spirit should happen when ever we quench or grieve the Spirit because of any sin that has entered our lives.

The Procedure for Control

Bible college instructor, Jim Huckleby, would convey this wonderful truth to his students regarding the Holy Spirit’s power. This simple and biblical formula helps us understand how quickly and simply we can enjoy the filling and control of the blessed Holy Spirit.

Desire + Confess + Yield + Appropriate = Power.

Let’s break down and understand this formula.

Desire

Mark 11:24 KJV 1900

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Colossians 3:1 KJV 1900

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Setting our desires and attention on truly wanting to glorify God and walking in the control of the Holy Spirit, is the first step to being filled with Him.

Confess

We must understand that our sinful actions or attitudes have quenched or grieved the Holy Spirit, and sin must be dealt with.

1 John 1:9 KJV 1900

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Thank God for this wonderful means to keep the heart clean and the conscience clear with the Saviour. Acknowledge and confess your sin, agreeing with God about your wicked and fleshly actions and attitudes. Then accept by faith that you are clean and rest in the understanding that He has fully cleansed and forgiven you.

Yield

This simple third step is a matter of surrender - acknowledging to the Lord your desire to be under the control of the Spirit.

Romans 6:13 KJV 1900

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

it involves praying something as simple as this; “Lord Jesus, right now I yield the control of my life to You. I surrender my will, my thoughts, my whole self to the filling and guidance of Your Holy Spirit. Please take control and live through me this moment.”

This is something that you will find needs to be done frequently throughout the day.

Appropriate

By faith, understand, believe, and know that you are now once again under the Holy Spirit’s control.

1 John 3:22 KJV 1900

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV 1900

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Thank the Lord for this fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and believe that He is once again controlling your life.

Power

The result of allowing the Holy Spirit to control your life is having the subsequent power in your life that only He can provide. You can be sure that your thoughts, your emotions, your actions, and your lifestyle will be different from what they would have been. You will have wisdom, discernment, and insight that you would not have had. Your relationships and your whole life will benefit from this wonderful new power.

Ephesians 1:19 KJV 1900

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

It is vital for ever Christian man to develop a consistently Spirit-filled life if he is going to be the right kind of godly man, husband, and father. Walking in the Spirit’s control provides us power for victory, prevents us from sinning, equips us for service, and gives us guidance through life’s journey.

The Potential for Ministry

Every man who desires to honor his Master should use the spiritual gifts that he was given at the moment of salvation, through faithful service in his local church.

1 Corinthians 12:1 KJV 1900

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

In Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, and Ephesians 4:11-13, There are eighteen different spiritual gifts listed. Of these, there are five that I would list are temporary, or “sign gifts.” which most Bible students would agree ceased at the completion of the canon of Scriptures.

Illustration

I once heard of a man who bought a used table saw. He was very excited and went into the garage to plug it in, bu immediate the saw sounded “tired,” and when a piece of wood was put in, it bogged down and failed to cut adequately. He concluded that perhaps the motor was worn out and needed to be replaced. It was only then that he noticed the electrical information on the side instructed to use 220 volts. He had been trying to operate on 110 volts.

Most Christian men are operating on 110 volts in serving God - they are operating way under power. Why? Usually because they do not understand what their spiritual giftedness is, and they are not using their gifts in the power of the Spirit to serve God and His people.

Spiritual gifts are the channel through which the Holy Spirit can minster in the local church. He has gifted you and enabled you to serve Him in a unique way, and it is through your spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit will fully reveal Himself om a functional way in your life.

Jesus Christ left us with the Great Commission:

Matthew 28:19–20 KJV 1900

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We are to reach and reach others.

Jesus Christ also gave us the power and ability to accomplish great things through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:7–8 KJV 1900

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

1 Corinthians 12:1 KJV 1900

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Let’s see several spiritual gifts listed in Scripture. Notice in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, there are four gifts listed.

1 Corinthians 12:8–10 KJV 1900

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Wisdom

This is the supernatural capacity to apply and powerfully impart spiritual knowledge. It is a gift that is greatly needed in churches today. Many of God’s people are lacking in wisdom. Wrong and tragic decisions are being made that could literally bring ruin and disaster to individuals and families.

James 1:5 KJV 1900

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Many believers have this gift but never develop it. Every believer needs to seek for God’s wisdom. But God also gives the gift of wisdom to people within a local church to help and to give direction. Proverbs tells us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors.

Proverbs 24:6 KJV 1900

For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: And in multitude of counsellers there is safety.

When was the last time you were faced with an important decision and you sought counsel from the pastor/shepherd, or another godly Christian - one who has been walking with the Lord many years? You will ultimately have to make the decision, but seek wisdom - first from God and them from godly people in your local church.

Knowledge

This is the Spirit-given capacity to learn and comprehend God’s revealed truth. This gift, like the gift of prophesy, seems to have faded away when the Bible was completed, particularly regarding direct or oral revelation from God. However, as this gift could be applied to God-written revelation, some could have the gift of knowledge in understanding and communicating Bible truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We need to study and know the Word of God. Praise God for those who have made the study of God’s Word a major activity in their lives. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, and discernment all increase and are strengthened by studying the Bible.

Faith

This is the Spirit-given capacity to believe and expect great things from God.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

There is saving faith, and there is maturing faith.

Romans 12:3 KJV 1900

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Illustration

One great example of a man with the gift of faith was George Muller, a man who literally prayed for and saw God provide millions of dollars to establish orphanages for the homeless children in England. Page 66