The Spirit Filled Disciple
As you read through the scriptures you will find that the Lord’s plan was always that His people would be a Spirit- filled people.
The togetherness of Spirit and humanity was established at the very beginning (Genesis 2:7). Being made in the image of God and being filled with the Spirit of God set us apart from the rest of creation.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit falls on those called to lead God’s people to empower and equip them for the task ahead and afterwards departing.
E.G.
o Deuteronomy 34:9 (Joshua)
o Judges 3:10 (Othniel)
o 1 Samuel 16:14 (David)
o 2 Chronicles 24:20 (Zechariah)
o Ezekiel 11:5 (Ezekiel)
But ultimately, the purpose of the Spirit was not just to rest on specific people for specific tasks but to live in the hearts of all of God’s people.
· Isaiah 44:3
· Ezekiel 11:19
· Joel 2:28-29
The Old Testament is full of God’s plans and promises of a time where the Spirit will be poured out on all and the New Testament is the fulfilment of these promises. We see throughout the gospels that the coming of Christ was the coming of this fulfilment; and then throughout the rest of the New Testament we see how Jesus really did bring about a new age of the Spirit taking up permanent residence in God’s people (e.g Romans 8:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12:3-5; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 4:3-4; 1 Peter 4:14)
Yet we can know this truth theologically but not in reality. Why is that? I believe there are four main blocks we face when it comes to living as Spirit-Filled Disciples:
1. Selfish Ambition
When Simon the magician saw the apostles operating in the power of God, he was impressed, yet purely from a motive of selfish ambition. He wanted the power of God to allow himself to flourish and his reputation to grow. We see that this didn’t end well for him!
We can slip into viewing the Spirit as a tool for our increase, to fulfil our desires. This becomes a block to the power of God working in us; our prayers become self-obsessed, distracted and away from the will of God. We are caught up in comparison with others’ gifts and influence and seek ways to grow our reach.
How do we know if selfish ambition is hindering us from walking in step with the Spirit?
· Do we struggle when others flourish?
· Is success defined by what others say about us?
2. Self-Reliance
Our culture preaches self-reliance as success to us 24/7. In the workplace the most successful is the one who has no one over them; in family life, the most successful person lives in a gated, detached, big house; in films, games and books the hero is the one that breaks the rules and saves the day on their own. This has seeped into the church and we can view needing others and even needing God as weakness.
Yet the truth is self-reliance becomes a block to God working in us; we do not listen to his leading and we don’t rely on his power. Instead, we lean on our own abilities, wisdom and hard work to make things happen. Pride makes us think too highly of ourselves and too lowly of the Lord and others. We become judgemental and ignore the sin and weakness in our own lives. We slowly begin to harden our hearts to criticism and surround ourselves with yes people.
How do we know if self-reliance is hindering us from walking in step with the Spirit?
· Is your first step to pray or plan?
· When was the last time you invited feedback?
· Are you known as someone who has the answer?
3. Self-Protection
Our culture teaches us to be the master of our own destiny and that control is our right. This means many of us fear the unknown, hate being out of control and do all we can to keep life simple and easy. We want God’s call as long it is aligning with our plans and we want God’s power if it is going to make life easier.
Our self-preservation means we can often ignore the nudges of God; it can cause us to quench the Spirit because if we do allow God to truly fill us and lead us, we don’t know where it may lead. We often have a misunderstanding of God, believing he will intentionally call us into the things we hate and take away the things we love.
How do we know if self-protection is hindering us from walking in step with the Spirit?
· Are you reluctant to change?
· When was the last time you followed the nudge of God?
· Do you fear God will take the good things away?
4. Sin
Sometimes we allow ourselves to compromise and settle with wrong thinking and living that offends the heart of God. Our culture teaches us to score sin and compare ourselves to others. We use God’s grace as an excuse to sin. Yet we see throughout scripture that it is an obstacle to walking in the fullness of the Spirit. You either walk by the flesh or by the Spirit, not both!
When we do not deal with sin, through confession and repentance, then we are holding ourselves back from walking into all that God has for us. In his kindness, He won’t forsake us but he will discipline. He will hold us back because he cares about his glory and your good. Sin is something we will all have in our lives until the day we die, but the issue God is interested in is the heart: what we do about our sin. If you want to walk into all the God is calling you to then having a heart that refuses to settle with sin and strives after God is key.
How do we know if Sin is hindering us from walking in step with the Spirit?
· Are you hiding anything from those around you?
· Do you serve and lead to appease your guilt?
· Are you fearful God is going to shame you?