“to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).
BY HIS SPIRIT
The way forward for God’s people is through the Spirit’s leading and guiding. But, alas, some people are not always in the Spirit, we move forward in the flesh, or pushed on by selfish-ambition, or the pride of life.
We have probably all tried to move our lives forward in such a way. But we don’t move further forward in God’s kingdom by fleshly means.
We are strengthened and enabled by God’s Spirit.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). Notice the word “walk”. To walk means that we are moving forward. If we are in the flesh, we stagnate and most likely begin to move backwards, to backslide. The only way forward for us is through the Spirit.
We ought not to be reticent of seeking God’s face, and praying in the Spirit, some people may feel the move of the Spirit in their hearts but then draw back.
“Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thess 5:19). This short verse teaches us to move with the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, be guided by the Spirit, allow the fruit of the Spirit to grow in our lives, and to seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has been given to us as a comforter, and helper, someone who draws alongside to advise: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16). Jesus was a helper to all those around him, but while he was on earth he could attend to those around him, but the Holy Spirit can be with each one of us, all of the time.
Jesus told his disciples, “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).
So we do well to allow the Holy Spirit to move freely in our hearts and lives.
“The Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). How blessed are we? To have the moving of the Holy Spirit abiding with us day in and day out, he never leaves us, he equips us, strengthens us and leads us.
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph 5:18).