
“When we have the Holy Spirit we have all that is needed to be all that God desires us to be.” Aiden Wilson Tozer
“Earthly wisdom is doing what comes naturally. Godly wisdom is doing what the Holy Spirit compels us to do.” Charles Stanley
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 NIV
“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate (the Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7 NIV
Finally, Charles Stanley makes it clear we have to make a choice between following the Holy Spirit or following what’s important to the world that never turns out well.
“Basically, there are two paths you can walk: faith or fear. It’s impossible to simultaneously trust God and not trust God,” he said.
We’re different because of Him. Nothing else changes us – nothing.
I’ve always heard that we change because we learn enough, we’re given enough, or we’re in enough pain. It’s these things plus the Holy Spirit. These things make us willing to change, not able. The Holy Spirit is the Enabler.
Here’s the tricky part of it all, the balancing act, the trying hard/not trying hard part:
“We are 100 percent responsible for the pursuit of holiness, but at the same time we are 100 percent dependent upon the Holy Spirit to enable us in that pursuit. The pursuit of holiness is not a pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps approach to the Christian life,” said Jerry Bridges in his book The Pursuit of Holiness.
Until I heard more, understood more, and got so far down that I couldn’t get up without His help, I overlooked the Holy Spirit. My family would tell you I acted like His assistant. I would’ve told you that if they’d just listen to me, they’re lives would have been better even when mine was a mess or maybe because mine was a mess.
That’s what we do – focus on others’ unholiness so we don’t have to look at our own. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in if we’ll stop shutting Him out. If we let Him, He’ll do for us what we can’t do for ourselves including helping us refocus on what needs changing in us, not everyone else. He’ll make us holy in spite of ourselves.
I joke about people speaking with great authority, who know a lot and never hesitate when they speak. Anytime I’ve done that, I’m reminded why we shouldn’t. I don’t like being wrong, so I’ve learned to be quiet. However, on this one topic, I speak with great authority.
We can’t do life well by ourselves. We need the Holy Spirit.
In This Together,
Kim
FYI: I’m blogging my book titled On The Other Side of Trying Hard: Healing, Happiness, and Holiness. Because the blog posts will eventually be an entire manuscript instead of stand-alone stories, some posts may leave you hanging. I hope you’ll hang in here with us anyway ‘cause a happy ending is coming. Each blog post title includes the chapter title first. The phrase in parentheses is one subheading within the chapter. I’d love to hear your reflections, questions, and suggestions. I’m over-the-top grateful you’re here.
The Holy Spirit is our enabler and that’s a great thing!
Thanks for the inspiring words.
It is a wonderful thing, Staci. I wish I had relied on Him a long time ago, but I think I’m more grateful since I didn’t know better, but I do now. Really puts into perspective why trying hard and trying to do it on my own didn’t work.
Thanks for your comment. ❤️