Upset the World Sample

Day 2

Upsetters Aren’t in Control

“Letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (Romans 8:6). 

In order for us to upset the world, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Scripture is very clear that when someone gives their life to Jesus, it’s because the Holy Spirit brought them to Jesus. However, Scripture is also clear that Jesus has reserved the right to baptize people into the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, and John 1:33). 

In Acts 19, the apostle Paul meets some believers and asks them “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (v. 2). Why would Paul ask this question? Because the Holy Spirit can be with you but not yet in you. These believers had not heard about the Holy Spirit, but when Paul prayed for them, “the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied” (v. 6).

When you’re filled with the Holy Spirit, He will change you from the inside out and line up your character with His. He speaks the truth (John 16:13) and gives you boldness and power. And if you start to get off track, He gently guides you back to where you need to be.

When we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, He uses our words and actions to minister to others. I was eating at a restaurant with a friend one day, and I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to tell our waitress that she was beautiful. Now, I’m a married man, and I didn’t want to give this young lady the wrong impression. However, the Holy Spirit was insistent, so I finally told her, “I just want to tell you that you’re beautiful.” She immediately burst into tears and walked away. Later, she returned and said that she was adopted and had never felt beautiful. I couldn’t take credit for that moment, but I was so glad that I was obedient to the Holy Spirit.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean you suddenly lose control over your words and actions. No, you chose to give control to Him because He is God. He loves you, and He knows what is best for you. 

Jesus wants to give you the gift of the Holy Spirit right now. All you have to do is have an open heart to receive Him. It’s that simple.