Category: What do you think?

Relying on the Spirit, Not Ourselves

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

One of the greatest mysteries of the Christian life is that we find our strength in someone else—Jesus Christ. As believers, we must recognize that on our own, we are powerless. No matter how experienced or talented we are, we must view ourselves as completely dependent on the Holy Spirit. Paul himself said, “I worked harder than anyone, but it was not me, it was the grace of God in me.”

It’s difficult to balance the ideas of putting in effort while relying on the Spirit, but they must go together. We must act as if we are working independently, while always remembering that our true strength comes from God. As we grow spiritually, we should no longer trust in our abilities but fully rely on the Spirit for everything we do.

Unfortunately, some of us approach spiritual duties with confidence in our qualifications or experience. Instead of recognizing our need for grace, we lean on our talents or gifts. But the key to true spiritual success is to cry out to God, “Lead me, and I will follow you.” We must measure our strength not by what we can do but by the One who gives us strength.

Letting the Word Guide Every Part of Life

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

The Word of God should guide every part of our lives, not just our religious actions. Many people think that spiritual walking is something limited to church or religious activities, but that’s not true. The Bible applies to all areas of life, including work, eating, and everyday routines. Everything we do should reflect our faith in Christ, not just our actions in religious settings.

Some people make the mistake of thinking their business life or daily routines are separate from their faith, but this is dangerous. When we separate our actions from God’s Word, we risk living a divided life—one where faith has no influence over certain areas. Instead, we must allow the Word to guide us in everything we do, so that our entire life becomes a testimony of our Christian walk.

True spiritual freedom is not about living without rules; it’s about being free from sin, not free to sin. The Spirit sets us free to walk in God’s ways, not to live aimlessly. Everything we do should align with God’s commands and be done in a way that honors Him.

Colossians 3:17 (NIV) reminds us, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” This verse shows that our Christian walk should influence every part of our lives, not just our religious activities.

Living Differently: The Christian Call to Holiness

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

Walking by the Spirit is not a lawless or chaotic life. It is a life guided by spiritual principles, a divine rule set by God. We are called to live according to His Word, which is our perfect guide. This walk begins with the Spirit and ends with the glory of Jesus Christ. A Christian life is built on following the Spirit’s guidance, using the Word of God as the standard. Our goal is spiritual growth, and we should never be satisfied with what we have already achieved.

The world lives by a different rule, following a spirit of disobedience. The broad, easy path leads many astray, but Christians are called to walk the narrow path of holiness. We are not just to have different opinions from the world; we are to live differently. The divine difference that we seek is one of holiness and separation from worldly ways.

We must strive to be as different from the world as possible, aligning ourselves with God’s Word. Comparing ourselves to others can hinder our growth, so we must focus on moving forward spiritually. God’s law is spiritual and holy, but we often find ourselves still tied to worldly things.

Romans 12:2 (NIV) says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This verse calls us to a higher standard, urging us to be different from the world and to continually grow in the Spirit.

Embrace a Spirit-Led Life

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

It’s no surprise that we often struggle to fully grasp the concept of walking by the Spirit. It’s a mystery to our understanding, and since we rarely practice it, spiritual growth can feel out of reach. Both teachers and learners lack the Spirit in a living way, and this makes it hard to truly grasp its meaning. However, walking by the Spirit is a divine act—something higher than our ordinary lives and even beyond our usual religious activities. This truth should encourage us to reach for more of God and strive for a deeper connection with Him.

Few people have truly experienced walking by the Spirit, which is why it’s often so misunderstood. But we should recognize that it is something beyond where we currently are, a higher level that God calls us to. This truth should spark holy ambition in our hearts to desire more of God, more of His Spirit, and more alignment with His will. We are not meant to settle where we are spiritually but to keep moving forward.

As Christians, we must have dreams and goals that reflect a divine purpose, never being satisfied with where we are. We should desire more of God, more obedience, and a deeper walk in the Spirit. The world’s ways are not for us; we are called to be separated from those ways and to pursue holiness. To walk by the Spirit is to constantly seek more of God, never content with less than what He has called us to.

Paul said in Philippians 3:14 (ESV), “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This verse reminds us that our spiritual journey is a continuous upward movement toward Christ. We must not settle for where we are but always strive for more of His Spirit in our lives.

The Harmony of Word and Spirit

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DAVID INGRAM

Many Christians make the mistake of separating the Spirit from God’s Word, thinking that spiritual life can exist apart from the truth of Scripture. But true spiritual living requires both the guidance of the Spirit and the grounding of God’s Word. The two must work together to transform our lives.

The Spirit brings the Word of God to life in us, showing us the truth and helping us live by it. Without the Spirit, the Word remains a dead letter, and without the Word, we lack a solid foundation of truth. As David prayed, “Give me life according to your Word,” we too must seek to be transformed by the Spirit working through Scripture.

Some may claim to have deep spiritual insights apart from the Word, but Jesus warned that the Spirit would not bring new teachings. Instead, He would remind believers of everything Jesus taught. Therefore, the Spirit always works in harmony with the Bible, never contradicting it.

Christians must test every spiritual teaching by the Word of God. Only when the Spirit and the Word are in harmony can we truly live according to God’s will.