Tag: HOLY SPIRIT

The Life Shaped by the Spirit

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RICHARD CORDER

Have you ever seen someone trying to build a life with God through rules or by trusting their own efforts? Their effort leads to pressure, fear, or a sense of never doing enough. The message of the gospel is different. It teaches that new life comes through the Spirit of God, not through human effort. The Spirit changes the heart, gives new desires, and leads a person into a way of living that the old nature cannot produce.

Relying on the law for salvation is a burden no one can carry. IRS Images, 2025

Some early believers struggled with this truth. They were taught that faith in Christ was not enough, and that they also needed to follow the laws of Moses to be accepted by God. They were told that salvation depended on certain rituals, dietary rules, and old covenant practices. These teachers believed that people needed to become Jewish before they could truly belong to Christ. But this idea weakened the message of the gospel and placed a heavy burden on those who were new in the faith.

The teaching of Scripture sheds light on this. No one is made right with God by following the law. The law shows the standard of God, but it also shows how far people fall short. No person has ever kept the law perfectly. Because of this, the law cannot save. Instead, it reveals the need for a Saviour.

Christ lived the life no one else could live. He fulfilled every requirement of the law. His obedience was complete, and his sacrifice was without fault. At the cross he paid for sin fully, taking the judgment that should have fallen on others. His obedience and his sacrifice together form the basis of salvation. When a person places faith in Christ, his righteousness is counted to them. Nothing needs to be added to it. To trust Christ and then add human effort as a safeguard takes away from the finished work he has already done.

At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day!

Once a person trusts in Christ, the Holy Spirit enters that life. His presence is not noisy or dramatic, but his effect is real. The Spirit brings change in desires, change in direction, and a new hunger for the things of God. Old habits lose their appeal. Sin becomes heavier on the conscience. The heart begins to want what God wants. This is not something a person can create by force. It is the work of God within.

Walking in the Spirit means living in step with this new direction. It means letting the Spirit guide choices, attitudes, and daily actions. A person cannot do this if they ignore the word of God, because the Spirit uses the word to teach, correct, and shape the heart. To be filled with the Spirit is closely tied to being filled with Scripture. Time in the word, prayer, and disciplined devotion strengthens the inner life and helps the believer stay alert to God’s leading.

Holiness does not happen without effort. It grows as a person builds habits that point the heart toward God: steady reading of Scripture, faithful prayer, worship, time with other believers, and the practice of obedience in ordinary moments. The Spirit uses all of these things to form character and sharpen spiritual understanding. When mistakes or sins occur, the Spirit brings conviction, and repentance restores the heart again.

There is a constant tension between the old nature and the new work of the Spirit. The flesh pulls one way while the Spirit pulls another. This conflict is normal for the believer. It is a sign that the Spirit is present. The way to resist the pull of the flesh is not through rigid self-effort but through walking closely with the Spirit. When the Spirit leads, the power of the flesh weakens. When the flesh is ignored, the Spirit’s influence becomes stronger.

A life guided by the Spirit is not passive. It is a daily choice to give God the first place rather than the leftovers of time or energy. It is a life that seeks to please God not out of fear but out of gratitude for what Christ has already done. The Spirit makes this possible. He strengthens, comforts, teaches, and directs. He keeps the believer moving toward holiness and keeps the heart anchored in the truth that salvation rests on Christ alone.

If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.

Galatians 5:25

The Holy Spirit: Our Source of Comfort

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FLOYD ROGERS

When someone places their trust in Jesus Christ as their Saviour, something important happens. According to Scripture, the Holy Spirit comes to live within that person. While God the Father and Jesus the Son remain in heaven, the Holy Spirit works here on earth, living in every believer.

The Holy Spirit has many roles, but one key purpose is to bring comfort. This means that those who follow Christ are never truly alone. They do not need to search outside themselves for peace or strength in hard times, because God’s Spirit already lives within them.

Unlike the rest of the world, believers have access to comfort that doesn’t depend on outside circumstances. The presence of the Holy Spirit offers a steady and lasting sense of peace that comes from God.

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever;

John 14:16

Jesus’ Lesson on Change: New Wine and Old Wineskins

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AMY TURNER

In Luke 5:37–38, Jesus shares a simple image. He says that no one pours new wine into old wineskins, because the wine will cause them to break, spilling everything and ruining the skins. Instead, new wine must go into new wineskins. This lesson came when people questioned why Jesus and His disciples did not fast like others. His answer showed that when God does something new, people must also change how they respond.

As the message of Jesus spread to non-Jewish people, the early church had to rethink many old habits. Some traditions had to be left behind, while others had to be welcomed. This was not always easy, but it was necessary for God’s work to grow.

Today, this lesson still matters. We need to be willing to let go of our old habits, attitudes, and behaviors in order to fully embrace the new life that Jesus offers. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we follow God’s fresh direction with willing hearts.

The Comfort of the Holy Spirit

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

The Holy Spirit is often referred to as the Comforter, a title that speaks to His profound role in the lives of believers. In moments of despair, uncertainty, or sorrow, the Holy Spirit offers a unique kind of comfort that transcends human understanding. He meets us in our pain and provides solace that is both profound and transformative, allowing us to experience the peace of God amidst our struggles.

The deep love of the Holy Spirit becomes a source of comfort that is both personal and intimate. Unlike a distant figure, the Spirit draws near to us in our times of need, offering words of reassurance and hope. His comfort is rooted in an unwavering love that never falters, reminding us that we are cherished and understood. This divine affection can heal the wounds of our hearts, offering a sense of belonging and security that only God can provide.

Moreover, the Holy Spirit’s comfort is faithful and persistent. He does not abandon us in our darkest moments but remains steadfast, offering strength when we feel weak. Even when we resist His help or struggle to accept His comfort, the Holy Spirit continues to reach out to us

The Holy Spirit as Advocate

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

The multifaceted role of the Holy Spirit as our Advocate reveals the depth of God’s commitment to His people. This divine Advocate stands alongside us, empowering us to confront challenges and overcome obstacles that threaten our faith. Just as Jesus served as our Counselor during His time on earth, the Holy Spirit now fills that role, guiding us in our spiritual journeys and providing strength in times of need.

Throughout Scripture, we see examples of individuals who boldly proclaimed their faith, often in the face of great adversity. The apostle Paul’s fearlessness in front of powerful leaders, for instance, can be attributed to the Holy Spirit’s work in his life. The Spirit emboldened him, equipping him with the words and courage necessary to share the Gospel. This same empowerment is available to all believers today, reminding us that we do not stand alone in our faith.

The Holy Spirit’s role as Advocate also involves helping us recognize and confront sin in our lives. He works within our hearts, revealing areas that need attention and prompting us to seek reconciliation with God. This conviction may be uncomfortable, but it is a vital part of the Spirit’s work in shaping us into the likeness of Christ. By responding to this conviction, we invite the Holy Spirit to lead us toward healing and transformation.

Additionally, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in ways we cannot articulate. When we find ourselves overwhelmed by circumstances or struggling to pray, the Spirit translates our groans into prayers that reach God’s ears. This intimate connection between the Holy Spirit and our hearts serves as a powerful reminder of God’s love and understanding. We are never left to navigate our struggles alone; instead, the Spirit advocates for us, ensuring our needs are presented before the Father.

Embracing the Holy Spirit as our Advocate invites us to surrender our burdens and trust in His guidance. By relying on His strength and wisdom, we can face life’s challenges with confidence, knowing that we are supported by the very Spirit of God. This relationship empowers us not only to withstand trials but also to boldly proclaim the message of Christ, just as the apostles did, through the courage and conviction granted by the Holy Spirit.