The Military Trains Us, God Recreates UsSample

Power in Christ

By Kelli Baker

After Jesus died on the cross, his disciples were devastated. They became so afraid they locked themselves indoors. Then Jesus came to show them he was risen. His last recorded words to them were the promise of the Holy Spirit.

That power now lives within us and offers us discernment and conviction. Being in tune with the Holy Spirit better equips us to make godly choices. He is actively working within us to mold our hearts to be more like his. When we become Christians, we are immersed in the Spirit. As he resides within us, we should begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Our actions and behaviors should align more with those of Christ as we learn to surrender our fleshly desires and walk in the Spirit.

Much like what happens in basic training when all distractions are taken from new recruits and the only voices you hear are those of your drill instructors. They guide you through the process of transforming you into a member of the armed forces. Immersion is necessary so we can learn the proper way to live and behave as military members.

As we’re immersed in the Holy Spirit, our hearts are transformed and the Spirit’s conviction should lead us to repentance. While we are saved by faith, our actions should reflect obedience to our Father. As we become more aware of the Spirit’s leading and guidance, we will hear those small voices and nudges that indicate we are not walking in the Spirit, but instead, according to our flesh.

I found myself faced with the possibility of being discharged from the military within my first year of service. On the path of destruction, I wandered from God’s will for my life. The threat of potentially losing my career in the military was the wake-up call I needed. God was trying to get my attention because I was not listening. Thankfully, the many character letters written by my leaders and several people from my past persuaded the battalion commander to retain me. During that time, I drew near to God and began to know him more. I learned how to understand and hear his voice more clearly through this process.

Are you listening to the Holy Spirit’s voice? Once we learn how to hear his voice, what we do with it matters. If we hear and ignore his voice, we are sinning. If you think you hear God’s voice but aren’t sure, read God’s word to see if what you’re hearing is consistent with his character. Finally, seek out wise counsel from someone you can trust.