TOUCHED BY THE SPIRIT

      We can see from the words that Paul writes in Galatians 5:16-18, that he wanted his readers to see the conflict between God’s Spirit and sin. “I say be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires. A person’s selfish desires are set against the Spirit, and the Spirit is set against one’s selfish desires. They are opposed to one another, so you shouldn’t do whatever you want to do.” That war takes place within the souls of all human beings and the evidences of that conflict can be seen in how we behave and respond toward God and other people.

      When God’s spirit comes into our lives, we know it and so do those around us. There is proof of a change, change in how we look, act, think, and treat other people. We begin to see evidences of a change in our behavior toward God and spiritual things. We do not just become more “churchy,” but begin to have a strong desire for “God things.”

      If we claim to have been forgiven of our sins, claim to have returned home from our wanderings away from God, and have received the Holy Spirit, then there should be evidences. I want to share with you some of these evidences of the presence of the Spirit in the life of a believer. Each one relates very closely to our personal walk with God.

      The first evidence is that a Spirit-filled believer will have an appetite for spiritual things. Paul writes in Romans 8:11 that the Holy Spirit will raise our spirit from the dead. We will come alive spiritually. Our spiritual appetite will increase, while we begin to have less and less interest in the things of the world.

      Another mark of a Spirit-filled believer is the desire to pray. We will have a longing to communicate with our God who loves and cares for us so much. When we love people, we want to be near them, to talk to them, and to feel their presence in our lives. The spiritual desire to pray silently, continually, and in the presence of others is strong evidence that we have allowed the Holy Spirit to fill our souls with God’s love.

      The desire to associate with other Christians is another evidence which can be seen in the daily walk of a Spirit-filled disciple. This certainly can be done by attending church, but also by seeking out the fellowship of Christians in our work place, school, neighborhood, and as we go through the work and play of each day.

      A Spirit-filled Christian will also show a strong longing to share with others what Jesus is doing in his/her life, while also sharing spiritual knowledge in a way that encourages others. This evidence is perhaps the one that speaks the loudest concerning the transformation in our lives by the Holy Spirit. We should seek every opportunity to witness by simply telling how we came to know Jesus by sharing our story. The way we tell our story and live it each day can make a difference.

      One of John Wesley’s preachers rode into a town in England to visit and hold some meetings. He had been there several years before and remembered how wicked the people had been, even assaulting him, before running him out of town. Cautiously, he looked around, and to his surprise, he saw a change. The people welcomed the preacher, gave him a place to stay, and eagerly listened to his message. Puzzled by the change, the preacher asked one of the townspeople, “What has caused this dramatic change in the appearance and behavior of the people?” The person answered, “A man named Wesley passed through and we have never been the same since.”

      Can we make such a difference in the lives of others? Can others say that about you and me? They can if we have been touched by God’s Spirit. 

Rev Tim McConnell, Long’s Chapel UMC October 6,2013