Am I Listening?

Galatians 5:16-17, “But I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”

Do you have spiritual mentors or a close friend, that when you leave the conversation with them, you think, “Now they are walking with the Lord. I feel closer to Jesus and love Him more after talking to her or him.”

I have to ask myself, do I always listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and promptings in the path and nature of Jesus Christ such as showing some practical expression of love, a moment of intercessory prayer for someone, or an encouraging word, or compassionate act of mercy He brings to my mind? Paul stated in Romans 13:14, which is a parallel verse, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

How is the Holy Spirit teaching you about Jesus as you are moving through today’s battles?  Martin Luther has said, “I have been assailed by many violent passions, but as soon as I took hold of some Scripture passage, my temptations left me. Without the Word, I could not have helped myself against the flesh.”

How do we acquire the influence of the Holy Spirit upon our lives? It takes hearing God’s Word, reading God’s Word, and obeying God’s Word, with discernment in identifying His promptings versus mere emotional drifting feelings. Galatians 5:22-23 is a list of the qualities that is evidence the Holy Spirit is leading you: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such there is no law.” Having patience has been more challenging for me during this current pandemic situation. Life will always have challenging circumstances, injustices, and people not treating each other rightly. Therefore, we must respond immediately to the Spirit’s signals – but am I listening? Paul said, “Walk in the Spirit.”

What verse has the Holy Spirit been prompting in your mind recently? The AMP version states Galatians 5:22-23 this way, “But the fruit of the Spirit (the result of His presence within us) is love (unselfish concern for others), joy, (inner) peace, patience (not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” I need to sit and pause right now, taking in these words – especially on “patience (not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting).” So my question for myself remains, am I listening to the Holy Spirit and putting into action in what He is telling me in my heart to do? My work day is filled with needing to show love, peace, joy, and patience with my co-workers and even with some of my more challenging customers. That is what putting kingdom principles within the work day or even with family requires instead of reacting impulsively and in the flesh. It isn’t always about quoting Scripture verses, yet being prepared to share your faith when given opportunities to do so. Again, I ask myself, am I listening and doing what the Holy Spirit is telling me to do at any given moment and how am I acting while having to wait for answers is my challenge. What is yours?

Listen to Casting Crowns Nobody (Official Music Video).