Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV
[13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
He is deposited into our spirit as a seal guaranteeing our inheritance which is to come. Simply? We are forever sealed as God's child by the Holy Spirit which now lives within us.
So, now in practical terms, God wants us to live our lives guided by the Holy Spirit within us. He does not want us to be guided by our regular human nature or as some call it, our "human sinful nature." That nature is what the Bible calls "the old man," or "old self," or walking in the "flesh." We have a new nature inside us as the Holy Spirit lives inside us. We are not left to our own devices like we were before we were born again. We have help and guidance from the Holy Spirit within us. We can focus on our "new self" which is "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Eph.2:24 NIV.
It says in Galatians 5:16:
[16] So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
If we follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit inside our spirit, then we will not be guided by our "flesh" or our regular human nature. We will not be controlled by the old nature and its desires.
How do we know if we are being controlled by our old nature and not being guided by the Holy Spirit?
Our lives will produce all kinds of junk in our spirit such as:
Galatians 5:19-21a NIV
[19] The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
Colossians 3:5-10 NIV
[5] Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [7] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [8] But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Whenever we see this junk pop up in our lives then we're being led by the human sinful nature.
Paul gave a huge talk about this in Ephesians. He talks about those who live by their old nature and then tells us how to live in our new nature being led by the Holy Spirit. Check it out:
Ephesians 4:17-32 NIV
[17] So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. [20] That, however, is not the way of life you learned [21] when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
[22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. [25] Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. [26] “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold. [28] Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 5:1-21 NIV
[1] Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. [3] But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. [4] Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [5] For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [7] Therefore do not be partners with them. [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. [14] This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” [15] Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Being "led by the Spirit," we'll see all kinds of good behaviors/actions/fruits of the Spirit in our lives:
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Simply? When we are guided by the Holy Spirit, when we are walking by the Spirit, then we'll do all kinds of good stuff. When we are not walking by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then our human sinful nature takes over and out comes the bad stuff. So just don't listen to our old nature when it rises up in us. (Note: This is an everyday process.)
Why does it matter who we listen to? Why not just do whatever? Because we represent the Lord Jesus Christ. God uses us in this world so others can be saved and adopted into His Family, the Church. He uses us so others can go to heaven too!!
So let's listen to the Holy Spirit, stay in step with the Holy Spirit, walk in the Holy Spirit and we will not satisfy the cravings of the human sinful nature. Then God will use us to save others and our quality of life will be awesome!
Love you all,
Jeffrey Post
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