7 Signs of Walking in the Holy SpiritSample

When the Holy Spirit was upon Saul, Saul spared his enemies. At that time King Saul was kind, forgiving, and compassionate toward his enemies. That’s the mark of a Spirit-filled life. 

But later after the Holy Spirit left his life, Saul sought to kill his former friends and family members. After Saul’s first victory in battle, the people approached Samuel and wanted to put to death the rebels who had murmured against Saul originally. Saul overheard them and said not to hurt anyone. Now contrast that to the time after the Spirit of God departed from Saul. He went out of his way to kill David, his own son-in-law, a courageous man who often put his life on the line for him, pursuing him for fourteen years.

The Holy Spirit helps us not to react to people’s adverse comments or actions but to pause and respond in God’s way. When the Holy Spirit fills us, He will help us with processing negative feelings when we are criticized, attacked, undermined, and overlooked. Our human tendency is to fight back, to defend our name, and to get involved in battles that are not ours to fight. That’s called reaction. Without the Holy Spirit, we react to the pain caused by our enemies. With the Holy Spirit, we respond the way that pleases God in the midst of that hurt. 

Let’s pray together.

Holy Spirit, replace the night within me with the day.