The Spirit Empowers

We live the life Christ has called us to live the same way we came to Christ. Our posture is one of simple, lowly helplessness. When we acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy before Almighty God, we will live life with a great sense of dependency, relying on the power of God’s Spirit. The Christian life can be summed up in these few words: “I can’t, but I must. Lord, help me.” Our internal dialogue with God should look something like this:

• By myself, I cannot love my spouse sacrificially, but God has called me to lay down my life for them like Christ did. Lord, rid me of my selfishness and help me to love others unconditionally like You do.
• By myself, I cannot overcome addiction. But God, You have called me to walk in freedom. Lord, empower me by Your Spirit, so I do not fall prey to temptation.
• By myself, I am unable to be a joyful giver. But God, You have called me to live with open hands, seeking to bless others with the resources You have given me. Lord, empower me to have a generous heart.
• In my own strength, I am cantankerous and irritable. But God, You have called me to live a life of patience and joy. Lord, give me an agreeable heart that reflects the patience You have shown me.

That list can go on and on. On our own, we are weak and feeble people who will carry out the desires of the flesh. Only when we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit can we defeat the pull of the world, the flesh, and the devil. To do so, we must turn to God moment by moment, conversation by conversation, for strength that only comes through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Charles Spurgeon said, “The Spirit alone can keep us from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. Without Him, we are like travelers without light or guidance. With Him, we are empowered, not by our own might, but by His indwelling strength.”

Reflect & Pray

Lord, today I come before You saying I cannot, but I must. Lord, help me. Holy Spirit, I yield to You; empower me to do through your Spirit what I cannot do in my flesh. In Jesus’ name, Amen.