First, we must develop "Spiritual Eyes" to see what the heart of an issue is. Second, we must develop "Spiritual Ears" to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church. And third, we must have a "Renewed Mind" so that we can think like Jesus thinks. Let's take a look at these individually.
First, in order to effectively engage the culture around us, and the Church world in desperate need of revival, as Christ's Followers, we have to be able to discern the TRUE nature of the problems we are encountering. What the "root" problem a person is dealing with. What is the sin(s) that are hidden and causing the problems. What demonic strongholds we are encountering, and what territorial spirits are active and at work where we are ministering! This requires "Spiritual Eyesightt." Seeing things for what they are, and not necessarily how they appear. For example, we lock our doors at night because we hear of such horrendous crimes that are committed against innocent people in home break In's. We may say: "Wow has the times changed! I remember when I was a kid, you go leave the house and leave the door not only unlocked, but open, and no one would bother your house!" Today, a parent of a child would be crazy to let their child go out and "roam" around the neighborhood to a friends house. However, when I was young and after my chores were done, I headed out to play baseball, basketball, football, and ride my bike all over the place, and there wasn't the level of danger and concern that there is today. I would NEVER consider that for my children today! Now, we can look at this and say: "Wow, has crime increased!" And that would be true. But, for the Spirit-Filled Follower of Jesus, the truth of the matter is that we are dealing with a society that is spiritually bankrupt, empty, addicted, and devoid of hope! Much of the reason this condition exists, is because the current Church of Jesus Christ hasn't OFFERED them much hope! We have given them RELIGIOUS "Feel-Good" platitudes, that do very little to fill an empty heart! Spiritual Eyesight sees not a violent degenerate evil filled society, but a society that is DESPERATELY needy and hungry for the Good News of Jesus Christ! Not the good news of religion! Not the good news of programs! Not the good news of denominationalism! But the live saving, hope-giving, future-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ, the ONLY truly "Good-News" that this fallen world has ever had! THAT'S SPIRITUAL EYESIGHT AND INSIGHT!!!
Second, we desperately need "Spiritual Ears" to be able to hear what the Holy Spirit is telling the Church. How we should handle a situation. Who He is wanting us to minister to. Which direction He, the Holy Spirit, is going. And the discernment of when He is calling the Church to repentance! On many occasions, the Lord spoke in terms that could only be understood from the enablement of the Holy Spirit, and upon us having our "EYE" focused upon His agenda and will, and our 'EARS" attuned to the communication of the Lord! Let's take a look at a few Scriptural examples:
Galatians 5:25 NLT.
"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives."
1 Kings 19:11-13 NLT.
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lordtold him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lordwas not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Romans 8:14 NLT.
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God."
And Jesus said...
Revelation 2:7 NLT.
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God."
Are we, His Body, listening to what His Spirit is saying to us? Are YOU listening?
Third, we must have a 'renewed mind." Listen to the Word of God in Romans 12:2--- "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." This is done by a "process" of developing intimacy with God. First, we basically "give" permission to the Holy Spirit to transform our minds. How does He do that? Through the study of the Word of God. Through prayer. Through meditation upon the Lord and the things that pertain to His Kingdom. Through worship of the Lord. And, through obedience and application of what we have learned through all of these! Then,and only then, will we begin to see our minds and thus our "thinking" transformed to the pattern of how CHRIST thinks! We will begin to understand things from the Lord's perspective! And we will begin to "respond' to various scenarios with the same type of love and power of that Jesus would! We begin to THINK like our Master and Lord! So, to answer our opening question: "What are YOU looking at?" My prayer for you is that your answer is.......... JESUS!
With the posting of this post, we now conclude the topic of "Where is the Power of the Holy Spirit?" I hope that these have been a blessing to you! If they have, please leave a COMMENT at the end of this article. God bless you as you find the promised power of the Holy Spirit that was promised by our Lord for a Body that is doing HIS will!
