Deepening Our Friendship with God
As we navigate the ups and downs of life, it’s comforting to know that we have a constant companion in the Holy Spirit. But what does it mean to be friends with God, and how can we nurture this relationship?
Avoiding Obstacles to Friendship
The Bible provides guidance on how to cultivate our friendship with the Holy Spirit. However, it’s often more specific about what not to do rather than what to do. Here are three things to avoid as we seek to deepen our communion with the Holy Spirit:
Don’t Grieve the Spirit
In Ephesians 4:30, the apostle Paul warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. This might seem like an impossible task, as the Spirit is divine and unchanging. However, Paul is urging us to live in a way that honors the Spirit’s presence in our lives. When we engage in sinful behaviors or make foolish choices, we are living in opposition to the Spirit’s work in us.
A Conversation with Our Souls
To avoid grieving the Spirit, we must reflect on our actions and attitudes. As John Owen suggests, we should have a conversation with our souls, asking ourselves:
- What have I received from the Holy Spirit?
- How has he refreshed my soul in times of struggle?
- Can I live one day without his consolations?
- Shall I be careless about the things that concern him?
By pondering these questions, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the Spirit’s love and kindness, leading us to live in greater obedience to his will.
Don’t Quench the Spirit
In addition to grieving the Spirit, we must also avoid quenching his work in us. This means being mindful of the ways in which the Spirit is active in our lives, striving to produce fruit, convincing us of God’s love, and empowering us to serve others. When we fail to pay attention to the Spirit’s work or hinder his efforts, we are quenching his activity in us.
Fanning the Flame
Instead of quenching the Spirit, we should fan his gift into flame. This involves valuing the Spirit’s love, fighting sin, living righteously, and serving faithfully. By doing so, we can make the fire of the Spirit’s work burn stronger in our hearts, leading to a deeper experience of communion with him.
Don’t Resist the Spirit
Finally, we must avoid resisting the Spirit’s work through the preaching of his word. The Spirit empowers pastors and teachers to proclaim the truth of God’s word, and when we listen humbly and reverently, we are communing with the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, when we are inattentive, disinterested, or critical of the Bible as it is preached, we are resisting the Spirit.
Pursuing a Closer Walk
By avoiding these obstacles, we can pursue a closer walk with the Holy Spirit. This involves honoring and cherishing his presence, fanning his gift into flame, and listening expectantly to the preaching of his word. As we deepen our friendship with the Spirit, we will experience greater joy, power, and transformation in our lives.
Leave a Reply