Following the Holy Spirit

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient." Ephesians 2:1-2

Oops.

There was a time I followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air. I didn’t ask God’s opinion on anything because I was afraid it would differ from mine. I didn’t ask God’s opinion because if it differed than mine I knew I wouldn’t follow it. I made my own path and I followed it. I followed my own spirit instead of the Holy Spirit. There is a spirit at work in those who are disobedient, and I allowed it to work in me. 

What changed? I’m not sure. Someone probably prayed. And then I followed Holy Spirit.

Not so long ago I followed the Holy Spirit. I felt him say, “Left,” and I went left. I felt him say, “Right,” and I went right. I felt him say, “What did your boss tell you?” and I did what my boss had told me. Most of these things seemed unimportant, but when I followed them I found God had someone to the left he wanted me to pray for, or something to the right he wanted to teach me.

It was glorious to live with the Holy Spirit for those few weeks or months. So why did I leave? Why did I decide to stop following the Holy Spirit and once more follow my own ways? The attack came. The lies came. The deception came. The confusion came. The anger came. I listened to the lies and shut down my communication with the Holy Spirit and followed my own path once more. I stopped listening for a still small voice and followed the old habits and patterns of my life and of this world.

And then yesterday I was thinking about Ephesians and realized I do not want to follow the ruler of the kingdom of the air or the ways of this world. I do not want to follow the spirit who is at work in those who are disobedient. I do not want to be disobedient. I want to follow Jesus. I want to pick up my cross and follow him. I don’t want to ignore him. I don’t want to refuse to listen to him. I want to honor him and do as he tells me even when it’s not comfortable or makes me nervous and sweaty or is awkward.

Things to pray for:

Following the Holy Spirit is often uncomfortable and makes me nervous and sweaty. Following the Holy Spirit is often very awkward even though it produces life-giving results. Please pray that I will submit to God and follow him. I want to live in the Peace of the Prince of Peace, and I know that requires humility and obedience. Please pray I would follow him.

I’m still a little afraid of my spiritual gifts, but I know God wants me to fan them into flame and that they are irrevocable. And I’m glad they’re irrevocable. Please pray for peace about my spiritual gifts and for opportunities to use them so I can get in practice and not feel so awkward about them.

Boldness and opportunity to share the gospel.