Spiritual Growth Keys: The Holy Spirit
Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him. (Eph 5:18 AMP)
You are warmly welcome!
There cannot be any spiritual growth without the involvement of a spirit; remember it could be a good or evil spirit. You should be afraid if you meet a spiritually mature person who is under the influence of an immoral spirit, or a deceptive spirit, or greedy spirit! Growth for Christians is opened and facilitated by Holy Spirit – an indispensable key. Spiritual growth is the process of awakening to your true nature, purpose, and potential – growing into oneness with Jesus Christ – seamlessly in step with God’s perfect will. In this true and vital growth journey, the role of the Holy Spirit starts right at birth and continues through the life of the believer.
Paul gives the Ephesians an alternative when he forbids being drunk with wine: “Be filled with the Holy Spirit”. This indeed is a good illustration; when someone is under the influence of alcohol, they are somehow out of their natural senses and control – their walking changes, their judgment changes, their appreciation of value changes – all because of the ‘spirit’ under which they have succumbed; they drink little by little and the ‘spirit’ gradually takes control until they are full possessed. Even when they later regret such an evening, they find themselves back to the bar just a few days later, and the habit is hard to break! This is how the ‘spirit’ has bound this fellow. There are other similar bondages fashioned by evil spirits. Thank God the Holy Spirit is able to break such bondages.
Jesus teaches that anyone who ever wants to see the Kingdom of God must be born of water and of the Spirit (John 3:5) – that is the very start of the spiritual growth journey. And the Holy Spirit must influence and guide though advancement to maturity, and finally to the eternal fellowship with God and fellow believers in heaven. What hinders the Holy Spirit? From Paul’s teaching, there seems to be a displacement action: there is a constant spiritual volume in one’s heart, and when something else is filling up that volume – say wine or sensual pleasure or greed for money – then the Holy Spirit is being displaced. Watch out for those evils and careless actions or attitudes that displace the Holy Spirit. And only a Spirit-filled life is able to mature to produce the expected fruit, and also apply God-given gifts effectively.
Desiring to be filled with the Holy Spirit is a great thing, and many come forward to receive prayer to be so filled. But walking in step with the Spirit is more important; constantly being influenced in all our decisions and actions, in the marketplace and with people we meet in all walks of life. Yield to the Spirit always, that you may ultimately attain the oneness with Jesus Christ.
God bless you all!