The Holy Spirit, Part 5 – Believer’s responsibilities to the Spirit
Christian’s actions towards the Spirit are nicely divided into two subcategories, what to do and what not to do. According to scripture, the Spirit dwells in believers permanently from the time of belief unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14); the full use of the Spirit’s power is available throughout life.
What not to do!
- Grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)
- Suppress the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
These verses do not explain how to avoid grieving or suppressing the Spirit. However, we suspect it’s sin that would make the Spirit sad, or suppress His actions in a person’s life because they are seeking their own desires.
What to do!
- Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16,25) – The word ‘walk’ (peripateoo, περιπατεω) indicates our manner of life, or lifestyle, especially in the moral realm. Otherwise we walk in the spirit when we were obedient to what the Bible says.
- Be mature in the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) – The illustration in this great verse is not to be drunk. Alcohol literally can control brain cells by its chemical effect. In contrast, Christians are to be filled with the spirit! The Greek word for ‘fill’ is πληρόω (Pleroo), which has an abstract meaning to be mature or complete. For born again Christians, their old actions are no longer possible as we have been changed by the Spirit by our regeneration (Titus 3:5; Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 3:28). Further, as we allow the Spirit to work in our lives through our obedience to the Bible, He uses it to mature us in our Christian walk. Therefore, in contrast with being drunk when actions are controlled by alcohol, a believer is matured by the Spirit (i.e., the Bible; Galatians 3:3 2; Colossians 1:28; Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Ephesians 6:13-17).
- Be zealous towards the Spirit (Romans 12:11) – We should have an attitude of actively seeking the things of the Spirit, which are found in the Bible.
- Put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13) – The Spirit helps a believer defeat sin, but this verse indicates it is by obedience that a person facilitates the Spirit’s gracious help.
So to help you remember, we act like a ‘cat’ to the Spirit, remember the mnemonic: MEWS (m=mature; e=end sin; w=walk; s=seek the things of the Spirit).
How does a Christian accomplish the four actions above? Scripture is not specific, but based on the New Testament epistles, these commands seem to indicate it is by actively seeking and knowing God’s word and being obedient to it.
By this process the Spirit can change a believer’s mindset as they see God’s working, the truth of His word, answered prayer, and power to change lives to a mature person (2 Corinthians 3:18).
We have a great God who has given us wonderful promises and abundant provisions to help us live our lives in a fruitful manner, not only in service to Him but providing joy and peace in our own lives.
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