#16 Our Role

Given all the attention that's given to the Holy Spirit in the Bible's New Testament, and the broad scope of the Spirit's role, what's our role regarding the Holy Spirit? Between scripture's teaching and my own experience, I can think of four key aspects of my role.

1. Value and seek the Spirit's leading. Ask for it. Be submissive; remember, this is God talking.

2. Listen. Expect to be led, guided. Set aside quiet time and pray.

3. Test what you hear. Does it lift up Christ? How does it line up with what the Bible says? If you're not sure, talk with a pastor or someone else whose life you can see is Spirit-led.

4. Do it. Be humble, but do it. Do what the Spirit is leading you to do, or say, or help with, or give away. Be very aware that the devil has many devices to lead you away from what the Spirit says. (I wrestled with the idea of this blog for 2+ years before finally doing it; my granddaughter finally got me past the technical hurdles I was stuck on. Thanks, Megan!)

Another observation is in the negative. The Bible says, "Do not put out the Spirit's fire." That's a scary thought - with the many ways the Spirit sustains and directs us - that we could actually quench the Spirit. I don't know exactly what is meant. But I think it's like love between spouses. We can listen to each other's concerns; we can show in lots of ways - large and small - that we care for each other. Or we could betray our wedding vows of faithfulness; that would be a severe shock to the relationship. Or we could turn the cold shoulder again and again, and the flame would flicker, or maybe go out. To tend the Spirit's fire, it's important to give it the honor and priority that is due.

(1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)