The Holy Who? – Part II - Submission (the dreaded word)

How do you see the Holy Spirit? Do you see Him as infinite majesty, glory, wisdom, knowledge, and holiness? Do you see Him as a person the Heavenly Father sent to abide in us or do you see Him as just an influence? Someone who sees God’s Spirit as just

an influence or supreme power will constantly say, “I want more of the Spirit.” On the contrary, someone who sees the Holy Spirit as a wonderful gentle loving person will say, “How can I give more of myself to Him?”

 Paul gives us a catalog of the characteristics of the Spirit in his writing to the church of Galatia. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (chapter 5:22-23) These are the characteristics of God living in and through us.

 Submission is not our favorite word. Our failure to trust and submit to the Holy Spirit will lead to unintended destinations in our life. It is so important for us to make the right decisions now. But how? Good information and wisdom are not always enough to guarantee good decisions. If that were true, then why did the wisest man in the world get into such a mess?

 Making good choices begins with submission, not just information and specifically, submission to the One who knows where He desires to take us in life; submission to the One who knows what is best for you. Information is not our problem, it is independence. And the solution for independence is the dreaded word, submission.

 If ever there was a man who could have trusted in his own ability to discern which path to choose, it was King Solomon. God’s Word refers to Solomon as the wisest man who ever lived. 1 Kings 3:7 – 13 In this passage, Solomon asks something of God, and God responds, “I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 3:13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.”

 Solomon left us this advice: Proverbs 3:5 – 7 “Trust in the LORD with all your

heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”

 The term translated “trust” implies lying helplessly facedown, or dependent. The term translated “lean” literally means to prop something up against something else; to be supported by it. Solomon was instructing us to lean on the Lord rather than leaning on our own understanding and insight. When the way we view things conflicts with the way God views things, we are to submit to his direction rather than our own.

 Making the right decisions begins with submission. When considering our options, the place to begin is by leaning on the Holy Spirit and not our experience, insight, or education. When conventional wisdom conflicts with what has been revealed through Scriptures, lean hard into your revelation. When your emotions conflict with God’s Word, lean hard on His Word and harness your emotions.  Trust in Him.

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