“Keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25 NIV). The Holy Spirit guides us with the power of the presence of his goodness more often than with specific words that we hear inside our heads. God gives us his flow of life when we focus on his Spirit: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires . . . the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:5-6 NIV).
This is a little abstract but not difficult to learn how to do. Often the felt presence of the Spirit isn’t very strong; other times it is strong. Either way we can learn to center in the Spirit. If we keep our hearts tuned to the Holy Spirit then not only will we know the Christlike way but we will also receive some power to help us make the right choice. Some of our choices will be disagreeable to us because we want to indulge harmful desires. In the midst of your struggle dwell on the Spirit for a few minutes and you will gain some strength. Remember that the Spirit is a person inside you; if you stay true to this friendship then you will naturally follow the good and beautiful way. This is because of the sheer power of the divine presence.
“You wouldn’t dream of saying or doing something unholy with them in the room.”
We can illustrate the power of presence this way. Have you ever been in a room with someone you considered to be exceptionally good? Did you notice that just their presence made you want to be good too? Good is attractive. You want to be like them because part of you knows that good brings internal peace and joy. We experience much opposition to good both around us and inside us; to be good is to be victorious over all that isn’t good. Being with that good person temporarily pushes some of the bad out of your life. You wouldn’t dream of saying or doing something unholy with them in the room. You may even feel like you want to be with this person all the time because you would become good too. This is similar to how the Holy Spirit works. Stick with him and you will be good.
As you develop this attachment to the Holy Spirit you will find that “through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature” (Rom. 8:13 NLT). Notice that it is we who put to death sinful deeds. We must choose. The Holy Spirit does not do this without our intention. We must engage our will since it is a new will that is part of our New Adam. God wants us to develop every part of ourselves, including our will, so that we are “growing in every way more and more like Christ” (Eph. 4:15 NLT). When Scripture says “every way” it really means “every way”. Surrender into the flow of the Holy Spirit inside you as best you can. With practice you will be able to step with the Spirit more consistently.
